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This Day in History: Teddy Roosevelt & “Teddy’s Bear”
On this day in 1902, a political cartoon is published. It prompts the creation of the teddy bear! Did you know that teddy bears are named...
tara
Nov 16, 20223 min read
This Day in History: Plot against Harry S Truman
On this day in 1950, Harry Truman recovers from an attack on his life. Just one day earlier, Puerto Rican nationalists had stormed the...
tara
Nov 2, 20223 min read
This Day in History: James Garfield assassinated
On this day in 1881, Chester Arthur is sworn in as the 21st President of the United States. His predecessor, James Garfield, had passed...
tara
Sep 20, 20223 min read
This Day in History: John F. Kennedy & PT-109
On this day in 1943 a small boat under the command of Lt. (j.g.) John F. Kennedy is rammed by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy would come...
tara
Aug 2, 20223 min read
This Day in History: Signers of the Declaration
On this day in 1811, a signer of the Declaration of Independence writes a letter. Benjamin Rush had put his life on the line when he...
tara
Jul 20, 20223 min read
This Day in History: Dolley Madison passes away
On this day in 1849, Dolley Madison passes away. Did you know that this First Lady nearly died in poverty? The vivacious First Lady had...
tara
Jul 12, 20223 min read
This Day in History: The first President to live in Washington, D.C.
On this day in 1800, President John Adams becomes the first President to officially take up residence in Washington, D.C. Much of the city was still under construction, and the White House wasn’t even finished yet! Maybe it is unsurprising that Adams didn’t stay too long before heading home for a long visit in Massachusetts? David McCullough describes the scene that confronted Adams when he reached Washington on that day in June: A view of colonnades later added by Thomas Jef
tara
Jun 3, 20223 min read
This Day in History: George Washington tries to retire
On this day in 1792, George Washington writes to James Madison. His first term was coming to a close, and he wanted to retire from public...
tara
May 20, 20222 min read
This Day in History: Julia Tyler, our “Lovely Lady Presidentress”
On this day in 1820, future First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler was born. She married the President in a secret wedding! It’s hard to imagine...
tara
May 4, 20223 min read
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
Apr 24, 20222 min read
This Day in History: Andrew Jackson captured
On this day in 1781, future President Andrew Jackson is captured by the British. He was only 14 years old. His older brother Robert was...
tara
Apr 10, 20222 min read
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 16, 20223 min read
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
Mar 4, 20223 min read
This Day in History: John Adams on the American Revolution
On this day in 1818, President John Adams reflects back on the American Revolution. Was the real Revolution to be found in the battles...
tara
Feb 13, 20222 min read
This Day in History: William Taft's ambitious wife
On this day in 1930, William Taft resigns his position as Chief Justice of the United States. He remains the only person to serve both on...
tara
Feb 2, 20223 min read
This Day in History: "History is a Journey"
On this day in 1985, Ronald Reagan is publicly inaugurated for the second time. Today's story is a simple one, but perhaps it's also a...
tara
Jan 21, 20222 min read
This Day in History: (Almost) First Lady Ellen Arthur
On this day in 1880, the wife of a future President passes away. Ellen Arthur would have been one of our First Ladies, if only she’d...
tara
Jan 12, 20223 min read
This Day in History: “Silent Cal” passes away
On this day in 1933, President Calvin Coolidge passes away. He was a man known for his dedication to the Constitution and his...
tara
Jan 5, 20222 min read
This Day in History: James Garfield, nearly forgotten President
On this day in 1831, future President James Garfield is born on a farm in Ohio. His childhood was spent helping his impoverished mother...
tara
Nov 19, 20213 min read
This Day in History: The controversial Jefferson Memorial
On this day in 1939, a cornerstone is laid for the Jefferson Memorial. Statues of America’s third President have become controversial in...
tara
Nov 16, 20213 min read
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