On February 26, 1919, Grand Canyon National Park was established in Arizona. The canyon is truly awe-inspiring – spanning up to 18 miles at its widest point and plunging to over a mile deep, it is actually larger than the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island (!) The Grand Canyon attracts not only American […]
On this day in 1807, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine. He is one of the best-known poets of the nineteenth century, authoring such prominent and lasting works as “Paul Revere’s Ride”, “The Courtship of Miles Standish”, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. His works appealed to the masses. Did you […]
On February 27, 2023 at 11 am ET, JMC's Faculty Partner Daniel Cullen will sit down for a virtual discussion with author Sigal R. Ben-Porath of her new book, Cancel Wars: How Universities Can Foster Free Speech, Promote Inclusion, and Renew Democracy. Faculty partner Jacqueline Pfeffer-Merrill will moderate: In today’s charged political environment, fear of social […]
On this day in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was established as President Ulysses S. Grant signed an act protecting over 2 million acres of wilderness as “a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It was the first national park in America. 🏕🌲🦌🌳 Did you know? Yellowstone contains roughly 75% […]
The Tocqueville Lecture Series at Jacksonville State University, a JMC partner program, will hold a virtual presentation and Q&A with Dr. Philip Yaure on "Frederick Douglass’s Abolitionist Republicanism": Dr. Philip Yaure will have a presentation on "Frederick Douglass’s Abolitionist Republicanism" to examine three ideas of what makes someone a citizen. He argues that Frederick Douglass […]
On March 2, 2023, the Constitutional Studies Forum at the University of Nebraska-Omaha will be hosting a panel discussion featuring Patrick Deneen (University of Notre Dame), Vincent Phillip Munoz (University of Notre Dame), and Carson Holloway (UNO). The discussion is inspired by Patrick Deneen's book, "Why Liberalism Failed". There will also be time for questions […]
On this day in 1931, the United States officially adopted “The Star-Spangled Banner” as its national anthem. The song was penned in 1814, but gained greater meaning throughout the 19th century, becoming particularly impactful during and after the Civil War. Why? During the upheaval of the war, the American flag had become an even more […]
On March 3, 2023, the Tufts Program in Political Thought at Tufts University will be hosting faculty partner Andrea Radasanu for a lecture on Montesquieu. Professor Radasanu will speak about Montesquieu on Empire and the Law of Nations. Friday, March 3, 2023 • 12:00 PM ET Tisch Library, Special Collections, Room 103 • Tufts University Click […]
On March 3, 2023, the University of Houston's Phronēsis: Honors Minor and Program in Politics & Ethics will host Dr. Paul Carrese to give a lecture as part of the series. This event is free and open to the public. Friday, March 3, 2023 • 1:00 PM CT University of Houston Click here to learn […]
On March 3, 2023, the Voegelin Institute at Louisiana State University will host JMC fellow Frank W. Garmon, Jr. for a discussion of “Microhistory and the Malleability of Identity in Nineteenth Century America.” Friday, March 3, 2023 • 6:30 PM CT Sternberg Salon, French House • Louisiana State University Click here to learn more >> Frank […]
On this day in 1770, the Boston Massacre occurred on King Street in Boston, Massachusetts as colonists rioted and British troops panicked, opening fire and killing 5 men. The incident fueled increasing anti-British sentiment as the colonies approached the Revolution. Did you know? Though labeled a “massacre”, the British troops had been provoked by the […]
On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for his invention of the telephone. ☎️ ☎️ ☎️ A native of Scotland, Bell developed his telephone while teaching at a school for the deaf in Boston, Massachusetts. His prototype featured vibrations that electronically transferred sound from one instrument to another. A few days […]
On March 7, 2023, The University of North Texas's Constitutionalism and Democracy Forum will host Dana Stauffer for a lecture on Tocqueville's America. The lecture given by Dr. Stauffer, will present an original interpretation of Alexis de Tocqueville. This event is free and open to the public. Tuesday, March 7, 2023 • 4:00 PM CT 222 […]
On March 8, 2023, Belmont Abbey Honors College will host distinguished journalist Ross Douthat to give a lecture entitled "A Catholic Politics". Ross Douthat is a New York Times columnist, best-selling author, and former senior editor of The Atlantic. Wednesday, March 8, 2023 • 5:30 PM ET A hybrid in-person/virtual event • Belmont Abbey College Click here to watch the lecture online>> […]
On this day in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant as Lieutenant General of the Union Army. The position gave Grant command of all U.S. armies and made him answerable only to the President himself. The appointment followed a string of unsuccessful general-in-chiefs, including George McClellan, who shared mutual feelings of dislike with […]
On this day in 1913, American abolitionist and leading conductor in the Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman died in Auburn, New York. An escaped slave herself, Tubman took great personal risks to lead at least 70 slaves out of the South to freedom – she never lost a passenger. Did you know? Aside from her work […]
On this day in 1912, the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. Inspired by the Girl Guides of Great Britain, Low decided to begin an organization for American girls that emphasized outdoor activities, exercise, independence, and service to others. 🌲⛺️ 🏸⛹️♀️ Soon troops spread across the country. Some […]
On this day in 1751, 4th president and founding father James Madison was born in Port Conway, Virginia. Madison was instrumental in the creation of the Constitution, earning the title “father of the Constitution.” He publicly defended the new form of government, writing some of the most-studied Federalist Papers, and was responsible for compiling the […]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀🍺🍀🍺🍀🍺 Irish-Americans (and not so Irish Americans) across the country celebrate Irish heritage today with parades, corned beef and cabbage, and festive green attire. The holiday, traditionally a celebration of Ireland’s patron saint, has been marked in North America for hundreds of years. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place […]
On March 17, 2023, Lee University’s Center for Responsible Citizenship will host Chief Judge Sutton to give a lecture on Local Solutions to the Court’s Deepest Questions. On March 17th, the CRC will host Chief Judge Sutton to speak at Lee University. Judge Sutton serves as the chief circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals […]
On this day in 1837, 22nd (and 24th) president Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. Cleveland is the only president to have served for two separate terms. His time in office was characterized by political reform, hot debates over tariffs and the gold standard, and the greatest economic depression yet seen in the […]
It’s National Quilting Day! ✂️🏵🧵🪡 Quilting dates back to at least medieval times, taking hold in America as colonial settlers arrived. Quilting bees were a popular form of socialization for women in early America. Quilts were particularly prized as wedding gifts for young women about to marry. 👰♀️👰♀️👰♀️ Aside from being beautiful, quilts are a […]
Happy Spring! 🌸🌷🌱 Today marks the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and is one of two days within the year during which the sun is directly above the equator and day and night are of equal length. Did you know? Spring was a season of new beginnings in more than one way for colonial […]
On March 20, 1612, Puritan poet Anne Bradstreet was born in Northampton, England. A leading figure in early American poetry, Bradstreet was the first published poet from the American colonies. Her poetry was lauded in both America and England, and King George III himself was said to keep a volume in his library. 👑 📖 […]
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech in Richmond, Virginia while arguing for the deployment of Virginia troops in the American Revolution. Henry’s passionate speech made a strong impression on the Second Virginia Convention, who sat in stunned silence for several minutes afterwards. It had […]
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech in Richmond, Virginia while arguing for the deployment of Virginia troops in the American Revolution. Henry’s passionate speech made a strong impression on the Second Virginia Convention, who sat in stunned silence for several minutes afterwards. It had […]
On March 23, 2023, the Forum on Constitutionalism and Democracy at SUNY-Geneseo will be hosting Eric Adler to give a lecture on the value and future of the humanities, and on the way that the study of the humanities should (and should not) be defended today. The humanities are not faring well on campus these […]
On March 24, 2023, the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government at the University of Notre Dame will host Judge Kyle Duncan for a hybrid in-person/live streamed discussion of freedom of speech and American democracy: That a sitting federal judge was prevented from delivering remarks on the law at one of the nation’s most prestigious […]
On March 3, 2023, the University of Houston's Phronēsis: Honors Minor and Program in Politics & Ethics will host Dr. Clifford Orwin to give a lecture as part of its Grand Challenges Forum series. This event is free and open to the public. Friday, March 24, 2023 • 1:00 PM CT Cemo Hall, 100D • University of […]
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire took place in New York City, killing 146 workers, mostly teenage girls. The tragedy is infamous in part for its preventability – safety features had been neglected to save money and locked doors prevented escape. Trapped with nowhere to go, several jumped from the 8th floor. […]
On March 26, 1874, American poet Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California. His popular poetry is best known for its focus on nature and rural New England life. 🌲🏡🌳 Still read by schoolchildren today, “The Road Not Taken”, “Mending Wall”, and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” are some of his best […]
On March 27, 2023, the Colloquium on American Citizenship at Samford University will host Kirk Fitzpatrick for a public lecture on "Plato, Aristotle, and Madison on Democracy: Anarchy, Polity, and the Constitutional Republic." Monday, March 27, 2023 • 6:30 PM CT Regions Room, Brock School of Business • Samford University Kirk Fitzpatrick is a philosophy […]
On March 29, 1806, construction was authorized for the Great National Pike (Cumberland Road), making it the first federal highway. Stretching from Cumberland, Maryland to St. Louis, Missouri, the road supported westward expansion through commerce and improved travel. Did you know? The Cumberland Road is still in use today – in 1926, part of the […]
On March 29, 1874, First Lady Lou Hoover was born in Waterloo, Iowa. The wife of 31st president, Herbert Hoover, Lou served as first lady during the first years of the Great Depression. Did you know? A geology major while at university, Lou had a love of nature and the outdoors and was a strong […]
Today marks the birthday of the 10th president John Tyler. Did you know that Tyler was the first vice-president to take office after the death of a sitting president? He became president after the death of William Henry Harrison, who held the shortest term in U.S. history. He is also known as the only […]
On March 30, 2023, the Constitutional Studies Forum at the University of Nebraska-Omaha will be hosting a seminar presented by Arthur Milikh on "Politics, Philosophy, and the Origins of Modern Science." Science used to be the preserve of a tiny handful of scholars, but it has risen to become one of the dominant authorities in […]
On March 30, 2023, the Cincinnatus Center at Coastal Carolina University will host Jerome Foss for a lecture on "Do we need the Bill of Rights in America?." Thursday, March 30, 2023 • 5:00 PM ET Coastal Carolina University Free and open to the public. About the program: The mission of the Cincinnatus […]
The Tocqueville Lecture Series at Jacksonville State University, a JMC partner program, will hold a hybrid presentation and Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Marks on "Free Speech on Campus": Dr. Jonathan Marks will address the status of freedom of speech on college campuses. He will address what is freedom of speech, what is its place in […]
It’s National Crayon Day! 🖍🖍🖍 Though crayons were not invented in America, the ubiquitous Crayola crayon is a purely American invention. These crayons were invented in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1902 by Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, cousins and founders of the Binney & Smith Co. Their coloring sticks – made of a nontoxic paraffin wax – were […]
On March 31, 1918, Daylight Saving Time went into effect for the first time in the United States. The practice had roots in World War I, when clocks were changed by an hour to conserve on fuel. After the war however, the practice proved so unpopular with Americans that it was repealed in 1919. Daylight […]
On this day in 1776, Abigail Adams wrote her husband John her now-famous letter urging him to "remember the ladies." "I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would […]
On March 31, 2023, the Tufts Program in Political Thought at Tufts University will be hosting faculty partner Stuart Warner for a lecture on Montesquieu. Professor Warner will speak about Montesquieu's Persian Letters. Friday, March 31, 2023 • 12:00 PM ET Tisch Library, Special Collections, Room 103 • Tufts University Click here to learn […]
On March 31, 2023, the University of Houston's Phronēsis: Honors Minor and Program in Politics & Ethics will host Dr. Michelle Zerba to give a lecture as part of its Grand Challenges Forum series. This event is free and open to the public. Friday, March 31, 2023 • 1:00 PM CT Cemo Hall, 100D • University of […]