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

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 days earlier. The Me...

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 we think of today. ...

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 of American drive, p...

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

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

On this day in 1801, Alexander Hamilton writes a scathing letter about then-presidential candidate Aaron Burr. “[G]reat Ambition unchecked by principle,” Ham...

On this day in 1870, a popular cartoonist publishes an image that would ultimately connect the Democratic Party with the donkey. Have you ever wondered how D...

On this day in 1862, Abraham Lincoln signs a bill admitting West Virginia into the Union. At the time, some questioned whether West Virginia—formerly a part ...

On this day in 1803, ownership of Louisiana Territory is transferred from France to the United States. Americans had just purchased that 827,000 square mile ...

On this day in 1889, Nellie Bly begins her famous trip around the world. The intrepid female journalist had already gone undercover in an insane asylum and r...

On this day in 1954, Ellis Island releases its last immigrant. The island’s immigration center had been in operation since 1892. Did you know that the federa...

On this day in 1788, the “Mother of Thanksgiving” is born. Sarah Josepha Hale wore many hats during her lifetime. She was a writer and a poet. She raised mon...

On this day in 1842, Abraham Lincoln nearly fights a duel. How on earth did “Honest Abe” manage to find himself in such a scrape? Lincoln would reportedly ca...

On this day in 1814, the British begin bombarding Fort McHenry. Famously, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key watched the battle from a nearby ship. The n...

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 birth was Phoebe Ann Mo...

On this day in 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounds Alexander Hamilton in a duel. In a sad and ironic twist, Hamilton’s oldest son had been killed...

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 1881, the American Association of the Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton. She must have been one determined lady. She founded the Red Cross ...

On this day in 1875, the first Kentucky Derby is run. The Derby has been described as a “grand slice of Americana”! No wonder? Early foundations for the race...