This Day in History: “Seward’s Folly”
On this day in 1867, Senators debate a treaty to purchase Alaska. Secretary of State William Seward had just brokered a deal to buy it...
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tara
- Mar 10
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Mexican-American War
On this day in 1848, the U.S. Senate ratifies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, bringing an end to the Mexican-American War. The treaty...
tara
- Oct 26, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Erie Canal, built without federal aid
On this day in 1825, the Erie Canal opens. Did you know that the project was not funded by the federal government? It could have been but...
tara
- Oct 8, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Great Chicago Fire
On this day in 1871, a fire rages. The Great Chicago Fire would kill 300 people and destroy nearly 3.5 square miles of the city. One in...
tara
- Aug 17, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: Davy Crockett
On this day in 1786, frontiersman Davy Crockett is born. Crockett is known for his escapades as a hunter, scout, storyteller, and militia...
tara
- Jun 23, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: A tragic end for one of America’s early war heroes
On this day in 1807, USS Chesapeake limps back into Hampton Roads. Just one day earlier, she’d been involved in a disastrous...
tara
- Jun 22, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Chesapeake–Leopard affair
On this day in 1807, a British Royal Navy officer boards an American ship, looking for deserters. The humiliating affair ended when the...
tara
- Jun 15, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Pig War
On this day in 1859, an American farmer shoots a pig. The incident nearly sparks open warfare between the United Kingdom and the United...
tara
- Apr 24, 2022
- 2 min
This Day in History: The origins of the Library of Congress
On this day in 1800, President John Adams approves an appropriation of $5,000 to bring to the Capitol “such books as may be necessary for...
tara
- Mar 16, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The United States Military Academy at West Point is founded
On this day in 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point is founded. The academy has trained some of America’s greatest...
tara
- Mar 13, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The legend (and the truth) behind Johnny Appleseed
On or around this day in 1845, Johnny Appleseed passes away in Indiana. Of course, that wasn’t his real name. Johnny Appleseed’s real...
tara
- Mar 4, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: Andrew Jackson’s raucous inauguration
On this day in 1829, Andrew Jackson is inaugurated for the first time. The event was a raucous affair that would surely never be allowed...
tara
- Feb 15, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: USS Maine explodes at Havana
On this day in 1898, USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor. To this day, no one knows exactly why the warship was destroyed. But at the...
tara
- Jan 27, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: "Ten Days in a Mad-House"
On this day in 1922, Nellie Bly passes away. The plucky journalist had been much loved for her pioneering work as an investigative...
tara
- Dec 24, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Eggnog Riot
On this Christmas Eve in 1826, military cadets at West Point riot. This nearly forgotten, alcohol-fueled uprising has come to be known as...
tara
- Oct 28, 2021
- 2 min
This Day in History: The Statue of Liberty is dedicated
On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty is dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. It was then called Statue of Liberty Enlightening...
tara
- Oct 24, 2021
- 2 min
This Day in History: The end of the Pony Express
On this day in 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph is sent, bringing an end to the Pony Express. The task seemed impossible at...
tara
- Oct 20, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Thomas Jefferson & the Louisiana Purchase
On this day in 1803, the United States Senate approves the Louisiana Purchase. Americans had just purchased an 827,000 square mile block...
tara
- Sep 23, 2021
- 2 min
This Day in History: Seth Capron, American entrepreneur
On this day in 1762, Seth Capron is born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. He served as a soldier with George Washington, yet his most...
tara
- Sep 3, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Frederick Douglass, slavery, & the Constitution
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...
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