On November 26, 1922, Charles Schulz, American cartoonist and creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Schulz’s Peanuts characters (including the beloved Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, and Linus) have a special place in American pop culture, appearing not just in comic strips, but in holiday TV specials and as floats in […]
On this day in 1924, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City. Famous for its marching bands, floats, musical performances, and (of course) huge balloons, the parade began as a way to showcase Macy’s growing success. With a focus on Christmas (not Thanksgiving), the parade helped advertise the popular department […]
On November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting. The longest running radio program in U.S. history, the weekly country music concert began as the one-hour “Barn Dance” broadcast. Since then, the Opry has become famous for showcasing some of the biggest names in country music, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, […]
On this day in 1835, American author Mark Twain (né Samuel Clemens) was born in Florida, Missouri. Popular for his colorful and humorous style, Twain nonetheless tackled serious issues in American society, such as slavery and race, morality, and human nature. His most famous book may be The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which portrays slavery […]
Reflecting Americans’ love for holiday decorating, today is National Christmas Lights Day! Did you know? The small strands of bulbs commonly called “Christmas lights” were first invented by Thomas Edison in the 1880s – he decorated outside his Menlo Park Laboratory with the little lights for the holiday season. Two years later, Edison’s friend Edward […]
On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to surrender her seat on a public bus to a white man, a breach of city segregation laws. The incident resulted in a year-long boycott of the Montgomery, Alabama bus system and increased nationwide awareness of racial discrimination. Nearly a year later, the boycott […]
On December 2, 1763, the first and oldest synagogue in the United States, the Touro Synagogue, was dedicated in Newport, Rhode Island. The congregation was famously addressed by President George Washington in a 1790 letter affirming religious liberty in the new nation: “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now […]
On December 3, 1818, Illinois was admitted to the Union as our 21st state. The most populated state in the Midwest, Illinois boasts the famous city of Chicago, as well as flat, fertile farmland. Did you know? Illinois proudly sports the nickname, “Land of Lincoln” because the 16th president called the state home for over […]
It’s National Cookie Day! The first cookies in America were made from simple ingredients like sugar and butter. These butter cookies were close relatives of teacakes and shortbread of the Old World. With progress in shipping and transportation, cookie varieties eventually exploded – in modern times we enjoy cookies made with coconut, cinnamon, and (of […]
On this day in 1851, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was first published in serial form in The National Era. Despite the novel’s perpetuation of many racial stereotypes, it was absolutely pivotal in revealing the cruelties of slavery to white northerners, many of whom were not directly exposed to them. The book was immensely popular, selling 10,000 copies in […]
On this day in 1782, 8th president Martin Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York. He was the first president born a U.S. citizen (as opposed to a British subject). In many ways, Van Buren was a successor to Andrew Jackson, retaining Jackson’s entire cabinet and adhering to many of his predecessor’s policies. His […]
On December 6, 1907, the worst mining accident in U.S. history occurred at the Monongah Mine in West Virginia. An explosion in the mines killed 350+ coal miners. With a lack of regulation and poorly followed safety guidelines, mining deaths were tragically common in the United States in the 1800s and early 1900s. Did you […]
On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, earning it the title of “The First State.” Did you know? Delaware has no sales tax and is well-known in the business world for its clear and up-to-date approach to corporate law. Over 60% (!) of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in […]
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. On this morning in 1941, hundreds of Japanese bombers descended upon Pearl Harbor for an unprovoked surprise attack on U.S. soil. By the day’s end, over 2,000 Americans were dead, including not only servicemen, but […]
On this day in 1830, American poet Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts. Reticent during her life, Dickinson’s prolific and touching poetry wasn’t published under her name until after her death. Over her lifetime, she wrote nearly 1,800 poems and has posthumously become one of the most famous poets in American history. Did you […]
On December 10, 1817, Mississippi was admitted to the Union as our 20th state. Did you know? Blues music has a prominent place in Mississippi history – many of the most prominent blues musicians were from Mississippi, including John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. 🪕🎹🎤 What’s in a name? What a name! Notoriously […]
On this day in 1725, founding father George Mason was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. Mason was at the forefront of political activity during the Revolutionary War era and penned the influential Virginia Declaration of Rights. He was also a major proponent of the Bill of Rights. Mason was one of three delegates that refused […]
On this day in 1745, founding father John Jay was born in New York, New York. A sometimes forgotten founder, Jay was a patriot, important diplomat, and author of five Federalist Papers. He was appointed by George Washington as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. As Chief Justice, Jay was influential in establishing […]
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution, making it our second state. The state has hosted many historical events, perhaps most notably the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention. 🇺🇸📜🇺🇸 Philadelphia (home of the Jack Miller Center!) also served as the meeting place for the First Continental Congress in 1774. […]
On December 13, 1818, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington, Kentucky. The wife of Abraham Lincoln, Mary endured many tragedies in her life. Aside from her husband’s famous assassination and the general stresses of the Civil War, she lost three of her four children at a young age. Did you know? Mary […]
Happy Bill of Rights Day! 📜 🖋 📜 🖋 📜 On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified, consisting of the first ten amendments to our Constitution. Inspired by such documents as the Magna Carta and Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Bill of Rights explicitly protected such basic American rights as freedom […]
Happy Bill of Rights Day! 📜📜📜 On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified, consisting of the first ten amendments in our Constitution. Inspired by such documents as the Magna Carta and Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Bill of Rights explicitly protected such basic American rights as freedom of speech, religion, and […]
On this day in 1773, the Boston Tea Party occurred as American colonists protested the Tea Act and British “taxation without representation” by dumping over 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor. That’s right – tons. The tea was worth over $1,000,000 in today’s currency. ☕️ 💵 ☕️ 💵 ☕️ 💵 The event served as […]
On this day in 1777, the first national Thanksgiving was celebrated to give thanks for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga. The victory proved to be a crucial turning point, helping to persuade the French to recognize and assist the patriotic cause. Proclaimed by then-General George Washington, the day of Thanksgiving called Americans […]
On this day in 1732, Benjamin Franklin first published Poor Richard’s Almanack under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders. The best-selling almanac contained a calendar and weather predictions (as expected), but also entertained readers with humor pieces, proverbs, poems, and more. Some of Poor Richard’s proverbs included: “No gains without pains.” 💪 😫 “Early to bed […]
On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as France officially transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land transfers in history. Consisting of roughly 827,000 square miles west of the Mississippi River, the new U.S. territory nearly doubled the size of our young country. […]
Today marks the first day of winter and is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Did you know? In the United States, several Native American tribes observed (and still observe) the beginning of winter with traditions including dance, prayer, and, in particular, storytelling. Winter Landscape in the Sun, Carl Kenzler, c. […]
On December 22, 1912, First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson was born in Karnack, Texas. She may be best known for her efforts to beautify American highways with wildflowers and protect the environment. 🌼🌷🌾 Did you know? The First Lady received her nickname from a childhood nurse, who reportedly said “she’s as pretty as a […]
On this day in 1783, George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army following the official end of the Revolution. The moment was a testament to Washington’s hopes for a new self-governing republic. During the course of the war, Congress had given Washington such powers that, were he a lesser man, could have easily […]
On December 24, 1745, American patriot, founding father, and physician Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Rush put his medical knowledge to use during the Revolution, treating injured and sick soldiers on the field. He went on to represent Pennsylvania as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a proponent of the Constitution. […]
Although the holiday is believed to date back to 336 A.D., Christmas did not catch on across the United States until the latter half of the 1700s. During colonial times, celebrations (or lack thereof) greatly depended on the predominant sect of each region. In Puritan New England, Christmas celebrations were often banned as non-Biblical and […]
Did you know? Although the holiday is believed to date back to 336 A.D., Christmas did not catch on across the United States until the latter half of the 1700s. During colonial times, celebrations (or lack thereof) greatly depended on the predominant sect of each region. In Puritan New England, Christmas celebrations were often banned […]
On December 26, 1935, Shenandoah National Park was established in Virginia. Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range, the park contains 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, as well as Skyline Drive, a particularly picturesque road running along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 🌳⛰🌫🌳 Did you know? As it was […]
On this day in 1856, 28th president Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia. During Wilson’s administration, he was responsible for the United States abstention from (and subsequent entry into) World War I, as well as the implementation of several progressive policies. Wilson was also responsible for founding the League of Nations. Though the United […]
On this day in 1808, 17th president Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. The successor to Lincoln, Johnson had huge shoes to fill, wrestling with Reconstruction in a nation still heavily divided. Johnson was at odds with his “Radical Republican” Congress, who condemned his policies as too lenient to the South. This tension […]
On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the Union as our 28th state. It is the largest state in the continental U.S. and the second largest state by population in the country. Reflecting its huge size, the state contains the largest ranch in the nation, King Ranch, which is bigger than the state of Rhode Island! […]
On this day in 1907, the first New Year’s Eve “ball drop” in Times Square took place in New York City. The first ball was tiny but heavy – only 5 feet in diameter, but 700 pounds, it was carefully lowered down a flagpole by pulley. Unlike the modern ball, which is famously covered in […]
On December 31, 1907, the first New Year's Eve "ball drop" in Times Square took place in New York City. The first ball was tiny, but heavy - only 5 feet in diameter, but 700 pounds, it was carefully lowered down a flagpole by pulley. Unlike the modern ball, which is famously covered in Waterford […]
In colonial America, it was customary to exchange small gifts on New Year’s Day and visit with friends and neighbors. One common (and fragrant!) gift was an orange with cloves stuck into it, often forming designs. 🍊🍊🍊 In the American South, people traditionally ate black-eyed peas for New Year. The peas were thought to resemble […]
Happy New Year! 🎊🎉🎊 In colonial America, it was customary to exchange small gifts on New Year’s Day and visit with friends and neighbors. One common (and fragrant!) gift was an orange with cloves stuck into it, which often formed designs. 🍊🍊🍊 Southern Americans traditionally ate black-eyed peas for New Year’s. The peas were thought […]
On January 2, 1788, Georgia ratified the Constitution, making it our 4th state. It’s the largest state east of the Mississippi River and is famous for its peaches, pecans, and peanuts. 🍑🥜🥧 Did you know? Georgia was originally chartered as a felon colony – the colony’s founder, James Oglethorpe, wanted English debtors to find a […]
On this day in 1870, construction began on the famed Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its opening and provided a much-needed thruway for New Yorkers commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Did you know? Compartments in the bridge were used as […]
On January 3, 1879, First Lady Grace Coolidge was born in Burlington, Vermont. A balancing presence to her reserved husband (“Silent Cal”) she was friendly, outgoing, and popular (the Secret Service even nicknamed her “Sunshine.”) During her time at the White House, she worked to restore its historic furnishings, many of which had been sold […]
One of the most famous (and rare) books of American birds is John J. Audubon’s Birds of America. Printed as a subscription from 1827 to 1838, the book contains over 400 watercolor illustrations of North American birds that are still studied and admired today. Did you know? Audubon was likely the first person in North […]
On this day in 1851, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was first published in serial form in The National Era. Despite the novel’s perpetuation of many racial stereotypes, it was absolutely pivotal in revealing the cruelties of slavery to white northerners, many of whom were not directly exposed to them. The book was immensely popular, selling 10,000 copies in […]