On this day in 1590, John White, the governor of the Roanoke Colony, returned from a supply trip to England to find that all of the colony’s 100+ inhabitants had […]

On August 18, 1774, Meriwether Lewis, famous explorer and co-captain of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was born in near Charlottesville, Virginia. Before the famous expedition, he served in the […]

On this day in 1833, 23rd president Benjamin Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio. He is the only president to have been the grandson of another president (William Henry […]

On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted to the Union as our 50th (and most recent) state. It is the only state outside of North America and the only state […]

On this day in 1814, the British began burning Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. The event was arguably the most devastating blow to American morale during the war, […]

August 24 is National Waffle Day! 🧇🧇🧇 Did you know that Americans have been enjoying waffles for some 400 years? Dutch Americans in New Amsterdam (later New York) and the […]

On this day in 1916, the United States National Park Service was created to preserve the nation’s important “natural and cultural resources” for its citizens and all future generations of […]

On August 25, 1916, the United States National Park Service was created to preserve the nation’s important “natural and cultural resources” for its citizens and all future generations of Americans. […]

On this day in 1908, 36th president Lyndon Baines Johnson was born near Stonewall, Texas. The successor to John F. Kennedy, President Johnson faced American involvement in the Vietnam War […]

On this day in 1963, the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech took place on the National Mall in Washington D.C. The gathering served as a response to racial discrimination and recent violent attacks on civil rights leaders. The March came about as a combination of two planned […]

On August 28, 1831, First Lady Lucy Hayes was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. Lucy was an extremely popular First Lady and was admired for her care for veterans, orphans, and […]

On this day in 1632, English philosopher John Locke was born in Wrington, England. His ideas of liberalism, natural law, and positive government were influential on the American founders and […]

August 30 is National Beach Day! 🏖🏊‍♂️🍹 America’s first public beach wasn’t established until 1896. Revere Beach, in Massachusetts near Boston, is still open to the public today and is […]

On this day in 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At first, the Liberty Bell had little to do with American independence. The Pennsylvania Assembly commissioned the bell […]

On September 1, 1878, teenaged Emma Nutt became the world’s first female telephone operator as she began work at Boston’s Edwin Holmes Telephone Dispatch Company. ☎🎙🎧 Hired by Alexander Graham […]

On this day in 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the Revolutionary War. 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 Though we often remember the Battle of Yorktown (1781) as the […]

On this day in 1888, George Eastman received a patent for the first roll-film camera – the Kodak. The camera made photography more accessible and was designed with the amateur […]

On September 4, 1803, First Lady Sarah Polk was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Well-educated with a keen interest in politics, Polk proved an asset to her husband’s career and enjoyed […]

On this day in 1774, the First Continental Congress assembled in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia to address growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. The Congress, consisting of […]

Happy Labor Day from JMC! Today marks 140 years since the first Labor Day took place on September 5, 1882 in New York City. The Central Labor Union of New […]

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11742 On September 6, 1757, Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, better-known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was born in Chavaniac-Lafayette, France. Though Lafayette was not American, he sincerely believed […]

On this day in 1791, Washington, D.C., was named after President George Washington by the city’s federal commissioners. The president himself chose the site of the future city, settling on […]

On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as our 31st state. It is the largest state by population and the third largest state by area. Did you […]

On this day in 2001, 9/11, the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, took place as terrorists hijacked four planes. Two of these planes were crashed into the twin towers […]

On this day in 1913, American Olympic athlete Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama. He is best known for his victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he won […]

On this day in 1814, the Battle of Fort McHenry occurred during the War of 1812. The American victory at the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled […]

On September 13, 1788, Congress chose New York City as the first federal capital of the United States. Prior to government under the new Constitution, capitals had changed frequently, with […]

September 14, 1752 was the first day that the Gregorian calendar came into use in Great Britain and its empire, including the American colonies. Daylight savings time pales in comparison […]

On this day in 1857, 27th president William Howard Taft was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His presidency was marked by the rise of progressivism in both the Democratic and Republican […]

Happy Constitution Day! On this day in 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the Constitution. Over the next months, it would undergo the ratification process […]

On this day in 1870, the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park was observed by the Washburn-Doane-Langford expedition and received its name. The geyser particularly stood out for its […]

On September 19, 1982, emoticons were used for the first time by Dr. Scott Fahlman of Carnegie Mellon University. What were they? :-) and :-( Emoticons eventually developed into emojis, […]

On this day in 1973, tennis players Billie Jean King (29) and Bobby Riggs (55) faced off in the “Battle of the Sexes.” Riggs had claimed that he could trounce […]

On September 21, 1788, First Lady Margaret Taylor was born in Calvert County, Maryland. Though steeled by life as both a frontier and military wife, Margaret was an inactive first […]

On September 22, 1692, the last executions of the Salem Witch Trials took place as eight people (7 women and 1 man) were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Did […]

On this day in 1896, American author F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He’s particularly associated with the Roaring ‘20s and his best-known work, The Great Gatsby […]

On September 24, 1906, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming was established as a national monument. An eye-catching geologic protrusion near the Black Hills, its formation dates back to the Triassic Period, […]

On this day in 1690, the first American newspaper was published in Boston, Massachusetts, Publick Occurences Both Foreign and Domestick. Prior to this, only single-paged newspapers (called broadsides) had been published in the colonies. The first (and only) issue reported on smallpox, a deadly fire, French-English relations, and Native Americans in the region. 📰 📰 […]

  On September 26, 1774, American folk legend Johnny Appleseed was born in Leominster, Massachusetts as John Chapman. Chapman was instrumental in easing settlers’ movement west. Contrary to popular belief, his apple seeds and orchards didn’t provide fruit so much as alcoholic cider, an essential drink at the 19th century American’s table. 🍎🍺🍏🍺🍎🍺 Did you […]

On this day in 1722, revolutionary patriot Samuel Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Adams was a particularly vocal supporter of American independence, boycotting British goods and serving as an important leader in the radical Sons of Liberty. He also wrote persuasive political pieces denouncing British taxes and later served in the new country’s Continental […]

On September 30, 1868, the first volume of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was published. The novel, centering on a family of four girls whose father was away in the Civil War, was hugely popular from the start. 154 years later, it’s still a children’s classic, beloved for its themes of perseverance and family. 👩‍🦰👩‍🦰👩👧 […]

On this day in 1908, Ford’s Model T went on sale for the first time. One of the first mass-production vehicles, the Model T is generally considered the first affordable automobile made for use by the general populace. Though modern cars existed long before the Model T, they were not particularly accessible to ordinary people. […]

On October 1, 1832, First Lady Caroline Harrison was born in Oxford, Ohio. As First Lady, Harrison’s philanthropic efforts focused on women’s causes – she notably raised funds for Johns Hopkins medical school on the condition that it admit women. Caroline also had a love for history, music, dancing, and the arts. A music teacher, […]

On October 2, 1968, Redwood National and State Parks were established in California. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, reaching heights of over 350 feet! These protected areas are home to the tallest tree in the world, the Hyperion, which is nearly 380 feet tall. 🌲🌲🌲 Did you know? Despite their enormous size, […]

On this day in 1822, 19th president Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio. The Hayes presidency was marked by the 1876 election (one of the most controversial in U.S. history), the end of Reconstruction, and a return to the gold standard. Before his presidency, much of Reconstruction had already ended and Republicans had […]

On this day in 1830, 21st president Chester A. Arthur was born in Fairfield, Vermont. An oft-overlooked president, his term was distinguished by reduced tariffs and civil service reform (something Arthur initially showed skepticism towards). A year into his presidency, Arthur became aware that he was suffering from fatal kidney disease. The disease was kept […]

On this day in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began, destroying thousands of buildings and claiming roughly 300 lives over the course of three days. A dangerously dry summer and gusting winds made conditions in the Midwest ripe for fire – the same day that the Great Chicago Fire started, devastating fires also broke out […]

On this day in 1901, the White House officially became “the White House”. Prior to Theodore Roosevelt’s order, the White House was officially called “the Executive Mansion.” Did you know? As a nickname, “the White House” dates back to 1798, when the new building was first whitewashed to protect its porous sandstone walls from freezing. […]

On this day in 1754, Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley (an inspiration for legendary Revolutionary War hero Molly Pitcher) was born near Trenton, New Jersey. Like many soldiers’ wives during the Revolution, McCauley followed her husband’s troop and performed mundane (but crucial) tasks like washing clothes and hauling water. Did you know? There is no definitive […]

On this day in 1890, 34th president Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas. The Eisenhower administration was defined by Cold War relations, the beginning of desegregation in schools, and the creation of the Interstate Highway program. Did you know? Eisenhower came into office with a strong military background – as a 5-star general […]

On this day in 1859, abolitionist John Brown and his supporters began their raid on the Federal Arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. The group planned to seize the arsenal and free the slaves in town, with the hope that they would join in carrying out an insurrection. Though Brown was unsuccessful – he and […]

On this day in 1777, the British under General John Burgoyne surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga. The American victory was a turning point in the Revolution and helped convince foreign governments to ally themselves with the fight for American independence. Did you know? Famous traitor Benedict Arnold played a major part in the American […]

It’s National No Beard Day! 🪒🪒🪒 Did you know? Nearly every U.S. president could celebrate this day – only 5 of our 46 presidents have worn beards, the first being Abraham Lincoln.🧔🧔🧔🧔🧔 11-year-old Grace Bedell famously wrote to him, urging Abe to grow a beard: “I have got 4 brothers and part of them will […]

On this day in 1797, the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) was launched in Boston Harbor. Still afloat in Boston today, the USS Constitution is the oldest ship commissioned in the United States Navy and the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Did you know? George Washington named the Constitution. The nickname, “Old Ironsides,” was […]

75 years ago today, the first-ever photo of Earth from outer space was taken from the V-2 No. 13 rocket. Launched from White Sands, New Mexico, the rocket traveled 65 miles above Earth, where the photo was snapped with a 35mm camera. The camera, smashed beyond repair during descent, was survived by its film. An […]

On this day in 1881, the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona occurred as law enforcement consisting of the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday faced down the outlaw gang, “the Cowboys.” The two groups had been vying for control of the Tombstone area when tensions finally broke, leaving three outlaws dead within 30 […]

On this day in 1858, 26th president Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York, New York. Roosevelt (or Teddy as many still call him) is remembered for his progressive reforms and “trust-busting”, active hand in foreign policy, and “rough and ready” image. He was the youngest president ever. Did you know? While on the campaign […]

On this day in 1735, 2nd president and founding father John Adams was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. He served not only as president and founding father, but a lawyer, delegate to the Continental Congresses, diplomat, and vice president. Did you know? Though Adams opposed British taxation on the colonies, he legally represented the British soldiers […]

Jack o’ lanterns as we know them today have American origins. Pumpkins are native to the Americas (first grown in Central America) so the first jack o’ lanterns carved in Europe was made with turnips or other similar root vegetables. 🥔🍠🥔 Plentiful in America, pumpkins were a valuable source of food for early colonists in […]

On this day in 1795, 11th president James Polk was born in Pineville, North Carolina. The last of the Jacksonians, his administration was marked by “Manifest Destiny” expansionist policies and the Mexican-American War. Under Polk, much of the current continental United States was attained, setting the stage for increased tension over the expansion of slavery […]

On this day in 1865, 29th president Warren Harding was born in Blooming Grove, Ohio. (He and James Polk are the only two presidents to share a birthday.) Harding’s term was marred by scandals as administration officials used their positions for personal gain. As president and politician, he did not take strong positions but did […]

On this day in 1842, Abraham Lincoln (33) married Mary Todd (23) at her sister’s home in Springfield, Illinois. They remained married for 22 years until Lincoln’s death. Aside from her husband’s death, Mary endured the tragedy of losing three of her four sons within her lifetime. Did you know? Lincoln had humble origins, but […]

On this day in 1913, the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 began. Over the course of 4 days, the blizzard killed over 250 people and sunk 19 ships. Bystanders reported whiteout snow conditions and hurricane-force winds as the storm tore through the Great Lakes region. 🌨❄️💨 Waves swelled up to 35 feet. 🌊🌊🌊 The blizzard […]

On this day in 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps was created as the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution to form two battalions of Continental Marines to augment naval operations. The Marines made their first amphibious raid a few months later, successfully seizing British gunpowder and munitions at Fort Nassau in the Bahamas. Did you […]

On this day in 1620, 41 colonists signed the Mayflower Compact off the coast of present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A religiously divided group of Separatist Pilgrims and pro-Church of England colonists, the settlers needed some type of binding governance to survive together in a new land. The Mayflower Compact filled this need, organizing the colonists […]

Each year, Veterans Day honors the bravery and sacrifice of American veterans, both past and present. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Did you know? For many years, Veterans Day was Armistice Day. Although World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, fighting ceased much earlier with an armistice on November 11, 1918. President […]

On this day in 1732, founding father John Dickinson was born in Talbot County, Maryland. With Thomas Jefferson, he co-wrote the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms. He also served as governor of Pennsylvania and an attendee of both the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. Did you know? Though he played […]

On this day in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress. The Articles served as a precursor to the Constitution, which was adopted 11 years later. Did you know? Though it united the 13 colonies under one government, the Articles made for a weak national government. They could not enforce federal […]

On this day in 1801, the first issue of the New York Post was published. The newspaper was founded by Alexander Hamilton, and, like its founder, supported Federalist policies on a central bank and foreign policy. Did you know? Hamilton wrote attack pieces on Thomas Jefferson in the Post using the pseudonym, "Lucius Crassus," after […]

On this day in 1883, American and Canadian railroads instituted standard time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific). Prior to this standardization, each town set its own time by when the sun appeared highest in the sky. This resulted in a wide variety of times from place to place. With a rise in train travel, […]

On this day in 1831, 20th president James A. Garfield was born in Orange, Ohio. Though he served in the House of Representatives for nearly two decades, his presidency was brief, cut short by assassination after 200 days. Did you know? Garfield wore many hats throughout his life, in turn serving as a canal boatman, […]

On this day in 1877, Thomas Edison announced the invention of the phonograph. The phonograph ushered in a new era in which recordings could be made, saved, and played back. Edison came across the mechanism while looking for a way to record telephone conversations. Did you know? The first words recorded were the lyrics to […]

On this day in 1804, 14th president Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire. During his administration, Pierce encouraged and supported the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for the expansion of slavery throughout the territories. The act, famously condemned by future president Abraham Lincoln, invoked outrage and actual violence in Kansas, only […]

On this day in 1784, 12th president Zachary Taylor was born in Orange County, Virginia. A war hero and general in the Mexican American War, Taylor’s presidential term lasted less than two years. During that short time, he strove to keep the nation together as friction grew over slavery’s expansion into the West. Did you […]

Happy Thanksgiving from JMC! Thanksgiving, one of our country's oldest holidays, has roots in both Native American and European traditions. The Wampanoags and other Native American tribes traditionally held ceremonies of thanksgiving for successful harvests and instances of good fortune. Long before coming to North America, Europeans too gave thanks for good harvests with feasting […]

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, […]

This evening marks the first night of Hanukkah for Jewish communities around the world. Did you know? In comparison to major Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah is actually a fairly minor religious festival. In the 19th century, however, both Hanukkah and Christmas saw a rise in popularity in the United States. […]

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 […]

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 […]

It’s National Cookie Day! 🍪 🍪 🍪 Did you know? Cookies in colonial 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, however, cookie varieties eventually exploded – in modern times we enjoy cookies […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]