On this day in 1803, the United States Senate approves the Louisiana Purchase. Americans had just purchased an 827,000 square mile block...

On this day in 1762, Seth Capron is born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He served as a soldier with George Washington, yet his most...

On this day in 1838, Frederick Douglass makes his escape from slavery. He’d been a slave for about two decades, but that life was finally...

On this day in 1860, the woman known as Annie Oakley is born. That wasn’t her real name, of course. The famous sharpshooter’s name at...

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...

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...

On this day in 1873, Susan B. Anthony is convicted of casting an illegal vote. It was just one of the many milestones she would pass...

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...

On this day in 1844, President John Tyler is nearly killed in a cannon explosion. At that moment in our nation’s history, the explosion...

On this day in 1887, the first Groundhog Day is celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The celebration seems so solidly American,...

On this day in 1848, gold is discovered in the Sacramento Valley. It was the beginning of the California Gold Rush! The first person to...

On this day in 1898, an American flag is raised over Puerto Rico. The island was no longer a Spanish possession. It was under the control...

On this day in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire is finally extinguished. The fire had killed 300 people and destroyed nearly 3.5 square miles...

On this day in 1876, Colorado is admitted to the Union as the 38th state. America was then celebrating its 100th birthday, which is why...

On this day in 1868, President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial comes to a close. Thirty-five Senators had voted to convict him, still...

On this day in 1846, the United States declares war on Mexico. President James Polk had asked Congress for such a declaration a mere two...

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...

On this day in 1791, an American entrepreneur is born. Because of this guy, we have Jell-o! ;) More importantly, we have a classic story...

On this day in 1835, a would-be assassin tries to shoot President Andrew Jackson. The assassination attempt stemmed from Jackson’s...

During this week in 1913, several states ratify the 16th Amendment. A proclamation would soon be issued by the U.S. Secretary of State,...