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This Day in History: The origins of Memorial Day, shrouded in mystery
On this day in 1971, Memorial Day is observed on a new date. If you don’t know much about the history of this weekend’s holiday, then you...
tara
May 313 min read
This Day in History: Arlington National Cemetery
On this day in 1861, the U.S. Army occupies General Robert E. Lee’s property at Arlington. The move would ultimately lead to the creation...
tara
May 243 min read
This Day in History: Plot to Steal Lincoln's body
On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln’s body is transported to a cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Did you know that an attempt was later...
tara
May 13 min read
This Day in History: Abraham Lincoln's "right makes might" speech
On this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln gives a speech that would propel him toward the presidency. He wasn’t yet the well-known figure that...
tara
Feb 273 min read
This Day in History: The Gettysburg Address
On this day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivers his famous Gettysburg address. Did you know that no one knows exactly where he gave the...
tara
Nov 19, 20243 min read
This Day in History: Second Battle of Bull Run
On this day in 1862, Confederate forces win the Second Battle of Bull Run. The two-day battle would prove to be one of the bloodier battles
tara
Aug 30, 20243 min read
This Day in History: The origins of Juneteenth
On this day in 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, learn that they are free. The anniversary of today’s events has come to be known as...
tara
Jun 19, 20243 min read
This Day in History: Robert Smalls
On this day in 1839, an American legend is born. Robert Smalls is best known for commandeering a Confederate ship during the Civil War....
tara
Apr 5, 20243 min read
This Day in History: The fall of Fort Donelson
On this day in 1862, Confederate forces attempt to break out of Fort Donelson. The effort did not succeed; instead, the Union victory...
tara
Feb 15, 20243 min read
This Day in History: The first shot of the Civil War, sort of
On this day in 1861, shots are fired at a merchant ship acting on behalf of the federal government in Charleston Bay. “Good God! Is this...
tara
Jan 9, 20243 min read
This Day in History: Rose O’Neal Greenhow, Confederate Spy
On this day in 1861, Confederate spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow is placed under house arrest. When the Civil War began, Greenhow was a widow...
tara
Aug 23, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Congress defines limited goals for the Civil War
On this day in 1861, the U.S. Senate approves the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution, a version of which had already been approved by the...
tara
Jul 25, 20233 min read
This Day in History: West Virginia becomes a state
On this day in 1863, West Virginia is admitted into the Union. At the time, some questioned whether West Virginia—formerly a part of the...
tara
Jun 20, 20233 min read
This Day in History: John Wilkes Booth is killed
On this day in 1865, John Wilkes Booth is shot and killed on a farm in Virginia. Did you ever wonder what happened to him in the days...
tara
Apr 26, 20233 min read
This Day in History: The assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln is shot by an assassin. Did you know that Lincoln was shot on Good Friday? April 14 also happened to...
tara
Apr 14, 20233 min read
This Day in History: The Civil War
On this day in 1861, the first shot of the Civil War is fired. You may remember from yesterday’s story that Confederate and Union forces...
tara
Apr 12, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Fort Sumter
On this day in 1861, Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard sends a demand to Union Major Robert Anderson: Surrender Fort Sumter! But how...
tara
Apr 11, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Plot against Lincoln
On this day in 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln escapes a possible assassination attempt. We all know about John Wilkes Booth's...
tara
Feb 23, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Edwin Stanton avenges Lincoln’s death
On this day in 1862, Abraham Lincoln nominates Edwin Stanton as his Secretary of War. Stanton would be confirmed just two days later....
tara
Jan 13, 20233 min read
This Day in History: The Controversial Daniel Sickles
On this day in 1819, future Union Major General Daniel Sickles is born in Manhattan. I’m afraid that he was not one of history’s more...
tara
Oct 20, 20223 min read
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