top of page
Search
This Day in History: Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
On this day in 1914, an old crane boat becomes the first self-propelled vessel to cross the Panama Canal. The man-made waterway would...
tara
Jan 7, 20183 min read
This Day in History: The 2000 presidential election finally comes to an end
On this day in 2000, Al Gore concedes the presidential election to George W. Bush. The nation had just survived more than a month of...
tara
Dec 13, 20173 min read
This Day in History: Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument, & the political firestorms they crea
On this day in 1790, the United States capital moves from New York City to Philadelphia. Exactly 94 years later, the capstone is placed...
tara
Dec 6, 20173 min read
This Day in History: Richard Nixon claims “I am not a crook”
On this day in 1973, President Richard Nixon famously tells a room full of reporters: “I am not a crook.” The word “crook” fell harshly...
tara
Nov 17, 20172 min read
This Day in History: USS San Jacinto picks a fight with Great Britain
On this day in 1861, the captain of the USS San Jacinto fires shots at a British mail steamer, the RMS Trent. He seizes two Confederate...
tara
Nov 8, 20173 min read
This Day in History: William Henry Harrison & the Battle of Tippecanoe
On this day in 1811, the Battle of Tippecanoe is fought between Shawnee warriors and Americans led by future President William Henry...
tara
Nov 7, 20173 min read
This Day in History: Nathan Gordon & his “brilliant” air-sea rescue
On this day in 1916, a hero is born. Nathan Gordon is known to some as the longest-serving Lt. Governor in Arkansas history. Before that,...
tara
Sep 4, 20173 min read
This Day in History: The Freckleton Air Disaster
On this day in 1944, the Freckleton Air Disaster occurs. It has been called the “single greatest civilian air disaster suffered by the...
tara
Aug 23, 20173 min read
This Day in History: The British attempt to recruit a traitor
On this day in 1777, the British begin an attempt to turn an American officer, Major General John Sullivan, into a spy. They hoped to use...
tara
Jun 2, 20172 min read
This Day in History: The Medal of Honor & 24 Nearly Overlooked Heroes
On this day in 2014, twenty-four soldiers are belatedly awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House. A congressional...
tara
Mar 18, 20173 min read
This Day in History: Lincoln’s cabinet contemplates the situation at Ft. Sumter
On this day in 1861, a newly inaugurated President Abraham Lincoln holds his first full cabinet meeting. What should be done about Fort...
tara
Mar 9, 20173 min read
This Day in History: The 1971 Bombing of the U.S. Capitol
On this day in 1971, an unidentified person calls the Capitol switchboard in the wee hours of the morning. “This building will blow up in...
tara
Mar 1, 20172 min read
This Day in History: George Washington goes to bat for his chaplains
On this day in 1776, General George Washington notifies his troops of a new policy regarding chaplains’ pay. He’d set out to get better...
tara
Feb 7, 20172 min read
This Day in History: An Escape from Fort Independence
On this day in 1777, Major General William Heath retreats from Fort Independence. His decision ends a failed mission to harass and...
tara
Jan 29, 20173 min read
This Day in History: The History of Presidential Inaugurations
On this day in history, twelve United States Presidents have been inaugurated—and we will inaugurate yet another today. We didn’t used to...
tara
Jan 20, 20172 min read
This Day in History: Who stole $1 million from a young American government?
On this day in 1783, Samuel Swartwout is born in Poughskeepie, New York. He is perhaps best known for his role in the Swartwout-Hoyt...
tara
Nov 17, 20162 min read
This Day in History: George Washington squashes anti-Catholic demonstrations
On this day in 1775, Washington issues a stern rebuke to his soldiers. They were planning to celebrate an anti-Catholic holiday known as...
tara
Nov 5, 20162 min read
This Day in History: The Royalton Raid in Vermont
On this day in 1780, the Royalton Raid takes place in present-day Vermont. The raid was conducted by just under 300 Indians operating...
tara
Oct 16, 20163 min read
This Day in History: The Annapolis Convention, a predecessor to the Constitutional Convention
On this day in 1786, James Madison writes a letter to Thomas Jefferson. Madison is preparing to attend the Annapolis Convention, a...
tara
Aug 12, 20163 min read
This Day in History: George McGovern is nominated...with huge consequences for our primary system
On this day in 1972, the Democratic Party nominates George McGovern as its candidate for President of the United States. Did you know...
tara
Jul 13, 20163 min read
bottom of page