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...
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- Apr 14
- 3 min
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...
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- Apr 12
- 3 min
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...
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- Apr 11
- 3 min
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...
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- Feb 23
- 3 min
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...
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- Jan 13
- 3 min
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....
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- Oct 20, 2022
- 3 min
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...
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- Sep 22, 2022
- 3 min
TDIH: The Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
On this day in 1862, Abraham Lincoln issues a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. You’ve heard of the official Emancipation...
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- May 30, 2022
- 3 min
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...
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- May 24, 2022
- 3 min
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
- Apr 12, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Civil War begins
On this day in 1861, the first shot of the Civil War is fired. Was this moment inevitable? Not everyone thought so. Tensions had long...
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- Feb 17, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: A Confederate sub sinks USS Housatonic
On this day in 1864, a Confederate submarine torpedoes and sinks USS Housatonic. The H.L. Hunley changed naval warfare forever. It was...
tara
- Dec 10, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Sherman’s March to the Sea
On this day in 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s notorious “March to the Sea” would reach the outskirts of Savannah, Georgia....
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- Nov 19, 2021
- 3 min
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...
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- Jul 1, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The three-day Battle of Gettysburg
On this day in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg begins. Our nation should have been celebrating its 87th birthday that week. Instead, we...
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- Jun 19, 2021
- 3 min
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...
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- May 18, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Lincoln nominated
On this day in 1860, the Republican Party nominates Abraham Lincoln for President. The Party was then brand new! It had been born from...
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- May 4, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Abraham Lincoln’s burial — and an attempt to kidnap his body
On this day in 1865, Abraham Lincoln is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Did you know that an attempt was later...
tara
- Apr 27, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Sultana, a Titanic-sized disaster, barely noticed
On this day in 1865, the SS Sultana explodes as it steams north up the Mississippi River. The loss was the biggest maritime disaster in...
tara
- Feb 17, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The fall of Fort Donelson
On this day in 1862, the New York Times reports on an early Civil War battle. “This city is wild with excitement and rejoicing,” the...
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