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. š²š”š³ Still read by schoolchildren today, āThe Road Not Takenā, āMending Wallā, and āStopping by Woods on a Snowy Eveningā are some of his best […]
On March 27, 2023, the Colloquium on American CitizenshipĀ at Samford University will host Kirk FitzpatrickĀ for a public lecture on "Plato, Aristotle, and Madison on Democracy: Anarchy, Polity, and the Constitutional […]
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 ā 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Itās National Crayon Day! ššš Though crayons were not invented in America, theĀ ubiquitous Crayola crayon is a purely AmericanĀ 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.Ā Their coloring sticks ā made of a nontoxic paraffin wax ā 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 […]
Ā 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 […]
On March 31, 2023, the University of Houston's PhronÄsis: Honors Minor and Program in Politics & Ethics will host Dr. Michelle Zerba to give a lecture as part of its […]
Happy April Foolsā Day! š»š¤”šš„ Here are some wacky presidential facts to help celebrate the day: - Teddy Roosevelt's children greatly enjoyed walking around the White House on stilts. Cabinet meetings were even canceled thanks to the disruption of banging stilts on the floor above. š„š„š„ - James Garfield was ambidextrous and could purportedly simultaneously […]
Today is International Childrenās Book Day! āØšāØšāØ Did you know? Childrenās books are a fairly new innovation ā prior to the 1700s or so, books for children tended to be strictly educational in nature. And, as printing became more economical, childrenās books began booming in the 1800s. Some of the all-time best-selling American childrenās books […]
On April 4, 1887, the first woman mayorĀ was elected in the United States as Susanna M. SalterĀ won the election in Argonia, Kansas. Salter was passionate about the temperance movement and when local men nominated her for Ā mayoral candidacy as a joke, the 27-year-old mother ofĀ four staggered them by winning 2/3 of the vote. Scrutinized nationally […]
On this day in 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established to organize young, unemployed American men to work on Americaās parks and forests. In addition to providing jobs for the unemployed, the program led to a greater appreciation and awareness of Americaās wilderness. ā ā Did you know that over the course of […]
This evening marks the beginning of Passover for Jewish communities around the world. The holiday commemorates the Israelitesā escape fromĀ slavery in Egypt, as described in Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It is traditional for Jewish families to have seder dinners during Passover ā each of the six foods in a seder dinner has a symbolic meaning […]
On April 6, 2023, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas's Great Works Academic Certificate Program will host Lisa Pace Vetter for a lecture on American political thought. Thursday, April 6, 2023 […]
On April 6, 2023, the Lyceum Program at Clemson University will host Alex Hindman for a lecture on the separation of powers: The U.S. Constitution not only divides powers to […]
On April 8, 1918, First Lady Betty Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois. During her time as First Lady, Ford brought special attention to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as breast cancer awareness. Having faced addiction and breast cancer herself, Ford made the personal public to reduce stigma around these issues. Did you know? […]
Today is Easter, the holiest day of the year for Christians, who on this day celebrate theĀ resurrection of Jesus Christ. In America, several Easter traditions have roots in the Old World. ššš·The Easter bunny was reportedly introduced by Pennsylvania German immigrants in the 1700s who retold the story of an egg-laying rabbit. š°šŖŗš° Easter candy […]
On this day in 1865, the Civil War unofficially ended as General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. ā ā Did you know?: Lee arrived at the meeting in his full dress uniform, while future president Grant wore his muddy field uniform for the occasion. ā Terms of […]
On this day in 1925, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first published in New YorkĀ City. The book, widely-read by American high schoolers every year, is particularly associated with theĀ Roaring ā20s and explores materialism, identity, and habits of Jazz Age members of āthe Lost Generation.ā š š„ š¾ š Did you know? The […]
On April 10, 2023, Texas State University's Discourse in Democracy series will be hosting Ambassador Antonio Garza for a discussion of Development & Democracy in Today's Mexico. Monday, April 10, […]
On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began as Confederate troops under the command of GeneralĀ Pierre Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. South Carolina had declared secession in December 1860 after the election of Abraham Lincoln. Did you know? Amazingly, nobody was killed in the Battle of Fort […]
The third president Thomas Jefferson was born on this day in 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. At age 33, he drafted the Declaration of Independence and is remembered as its primary author.ā ā Did you know? Jeffersonās proudest accomplishments did not include, as one may expect, serving as president. He requested that his grave be inscribed […]
On April 13, 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was incorporated in New York City. The museum acquired its first object later that year, a Roman sarcophagus that dates to the 200s A.D. By the 1900s, the museum was considered one of the top art institutions in the world. Today it consists of over 2 […]
On April 13, 2023, the Politics Department at Ave Maria University will host Marcus Witcher to deliver a lecture on, "Black Entrepreneurship: Building the Foundation for Freedom." On April 13th […]
On April 14, 1775, the first abolition society in North America, the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, was established in Philadelphia by Quaker Anthony Benezet. Did you know? Though he held slaves as a young man, Benjamin Franklin became a proponent of abolition in his elder years. In the […]
April 14-15, 2023, the John Marshall Project at Boston College, a JMC partner program, will host thirteen renowned experts, including JMC fellowĀ Dennis Rasmussen, for a two-day conference on Adam Smith andĀ Capitalism. Our modern world has been decisively shaped by capitalism ā on this, all agree. But has it been shaped by capitalism for the worse […]
On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean around 2:00 AM on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York City. The ship, though praised for its luxury and unsinkability, was unable to withstand the trauma of hitting an iceberg. Of the Titanicās 2,240 passengers, only 706 survived, with third […]
April 16 is National Librarian Day! Ā ššššš What better way to celebrate than visiting your local library? Did you know? The precursor to the public library was the membership library - members of this type of private library paid a subscription fee to cover the costĀ of members-only book access. The first membership library in the […]
On April 17, 2023, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas's Great Works Academic Certificate Program will host Alan S. Kahan for a lecture on Tocqueville on the US Judiciary. It is […]
On April 18, 1906 the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake took place. Though it lasted no more than a minute, it was one of the deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history, igniting a fire in San Francisco that would last for three days and killing roughly 3,000 people. Over 80% of the cityās buildings were destroyed. Did […]
On this day in 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott set out from Boston, Massachusetts around 10 pm to warn patriots in Lexington and Concord of the approaching British. šššā ā The ride preceded the very first battles of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord, and was famously immortalized by Henry Wadsworth […]
On April 18, 2023, The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom at University of Mississippi will host John Stinneford onĀ Originalism in Practice. Tuesday, April 18, […]
On April 19, 1721, statesman and founding father Roger Sherman was born in Newton,Ā Massachusetts. A representative from Connecticut, Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the major Founding era documents: the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. šššš During the Constitutional Convention, […]
On this day in 1897, the first Boston Marathon took place. Only 15 runners (all men) took part in the race, with John J. McDermott of New York finishing victorious. The number of participants has grown to roughly 30,000 runners in more recent times.ā ā Did you know? Women werenāt allowed to enter the marathon […]
On April 19, 1832 First Lady Lucretia Garfield was born in Garrettsville, Ohio. Her time in the White House was short ā her husband President James Garfield was assassinated after six months in office. She was particularly admired for her grace in face of the tragedy. A reserved woman, Garfield enjoyed intellectual pursuits, particularly literature […]
On April 20, 1841, one of the earliest detective stories, Edgar Allan Poeās āThe Murders in the Rue Morgue,ā was published. It is widely held as one of the most important modern detective stories in the English-speaking world, preceding the works of both Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. š š¦ š š° Paving the […]
On April 20, 2023, the University of North Texas's Constitutionalism and Democracy Forum will host JMC faculty partner Michael Zuckert for a lecture on Abraham Lincoln. Thursday, April 20, 2023 […]
April 21-22, 2023, the American Studies Department at the University of Dallas will be hosting a conference for the discussion of the teachingāespecially at the K-12 levelāof American literature, history, politics, and civics, bringing together academics, scholars, and other leading figures with local classical educators. What makes this conference is unique is that K-12 teachers […]
On this day in 1791, 15th president James Buchanan was born. The last president born in the 18th century, he served just one term from 1857 to 1861, as the immediate predecessor to Abraham Lincoln. ā ā Though Buchanan aimed to compromise in an increasingly divided nation, he failed to prevent the conflict of […]
On April 24, 1800, the Library of Congress was established in Washington, D.C. It is ourĀ nationās oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world (!) Since 1801, the collectionĀ has grown from an initial 740 volumes ānecessary for the use of congressā to over 170 million items. ššš Since its inception, the Library […]
On this day in 1800, the Library of Congress was established in Washington, D.C. It is our nationās oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world! Since 1801, the collection has increased from its initial 740 volumes ānecessary for the use of Congressā to over 170 million items. ā ā The Library […]
On April 26, 1785 famed ornithologist John James Audubon was born in Les Caves, Saint-Dominique (modern-day Haiti). Audubon documented 700+ birds of America in his book, Birds of America. His faithful paintings of several species are still enjoyed today. š¦š¦š¦š¦ Did you know? Audubon, though most associated with American wildlife, was not American himself. He […]
On April 26, 2023, the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government at the University of Notre Dame will host Harvey Mansfield for a hybrid in-person/live streamed discussion of Tocqueville's Democracy […]
On this day in 1822, 18th president Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio. Although he served a full two terms as president, he is often best remembered for his crucial role in winning the Civil War. ā ā Did you know? President and Mrs. Grant almost attended Fordās Theatre with Lincoln on […]
Ā On April 27, 2023,Ā Prof. Diana Schaub will speak for the University of Alaska's Chartwell Lecture Series: A quarter-century before the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln delivered a remarkable speech in […]
On this day in 1758, 5th president James Monroe was born in Monroe Hall, Virginia. Though heās often less remembered than fellow founding fathers Madison, Jefferson, or Washington, Monroe was a popular and accomplished president. ā ā In particular, he is distinguished for running for reelection unopposed (the only other president to do so was […]
On April 28, 1788, 7th state Maryland was ratified into the United States. Did you know? The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. It also served as the national Capitol when Annapolis was our nationās capitol ā Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army here. Whatās in […]
On this day in 1789, George Washington became our first U.S. president as he was administered the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City. ā ā Washington appeared on the balcony of Federal Hall in a plain brown suit, solemnly recited the oath of office over the Bible, and, in a mark […]
On April 30, 1812, Louisiana was admitted to the United States as our 18th state. Did you know? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Louisiana is the birthplace of jazz. The port city of New Orleans was the perfect melting pot for jazzās development, as the genre borrows elements of both African and European musical traditions. Jazz developed in […]