On this day in 1818, President James Monroe signs an act that redesigns the U.S. flag. That act established our current rule: The flag always has 13 stripes....

On this day in 1939, a football game is televised for the first time. The nation was not yet in the habit of playing the Star-Spangled Banner before such spo...

On this day in 1776, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin propose “E Pluribus Unum” as a national motto to be used on the Great Seal of the Un...

On (maybe) this day in 1831, a sea captain from Massachusetts names his American flag “Old Glory.” The name that Captain William Driver gave to his flag stuc...

On this day in 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a law making “In God We Trust” the national motto. Interesting timing for this anniversary, given t...

At about this time in 1776, Betsy Ross works as a seamstress and an upholsterer. At least according to legend, she would make the first American flag at the ...

On this day in 1782, the Confederation Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States. The seal was nearly 6 years in the making! Congress had been work...

Happy Flag Day! Did you know that today’s holiday would not exist but for the actions of a 19-year old schoolteacher from Wisconsin? In other words, anyone, ...

On this day in 1792, the Coinage Act creates the U.S. Mint and provides for the construction of a new building in Philadelphia. That building was the first f...

On this day in 1921, an unidentified soldier from World War I was interred in a Tomb—the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Warren Harding spoke at the c...

On or around this day in 1942, the United States Congress considers amendments to the United States Flag Code. Did you know that the first Flag Code wasn’t w...

On this day in 1854, the man who was the probable inspiration for Uncle Sam passes away during a cholera epidemic. Did you know that there was likely a real ...

On this day in 1790, the United States capital moves from New York City to Philadelphia. Exactly 94 years later, the capstone is placed on the Washington mon...

On or around this day in 1861, Julia Ward Howe is inspired to write the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Did you know that this much-loved patriotic song has its...

On this day in 1939, a cornerstone is laid for the Jefferson Memorial. Statues of America’s third President have become controversial in recent months becaus...

On this day in 1941, Mount Rushmore is declared complete. Did you know that the famous presidential monument was partly inspired by a similar stone carving o...

On this day in 1893, a professor stands atop Pikes Peak in Colorado. She is struck by the beauty around her and is inspired to write a poem. Her poem is late...

On this day in 1908, Teddy Roosevelt signs an act restoring the motto “In God We Trust” to certain U.S. coins. His decision to sign this piece of legislation...

On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. It was then called Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World. It was a...