Week of Events
Crater Lake National Park established in Oregon
On May 22, 1902, Crater Lake National Park was established in Oregon. Aside from being jaw-droppingly beautiful, the lake is the deepest in the United States, reaching depths of 1,943 (the ninth deepest in the world). Did you know? Crater Lake was formed by the eruption and collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama 7,700 years […]
World Wrestling Day
May 23 is World Wrestling Day! Several U.S. presidents didn’t just wrestle, but were good at it, including Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Zachary Taylor. Abraham Lincoln was renowned in his region for his wrestling skills, only losing one match in a dozen years. He is the only president to be conducted into the […]
On this day in 1844, telegraph inventor Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from the Capital building in Washington D.C. to Baltimore MD
On this day in 1844, telegraph inventor Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, MD. 🏛️➡️➡️➡️➡️🏘️ Though now obsolete, the telegraph made a lasting impact on nationwide (and eventually worldwide) communications and was indispensable for war correspondence during the Civil War. Did you […]
Constitutional Convention begins
On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from nearly every state, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, met to discuss the future of the United States and a revision of the Articles of Confederation. Over the next few months, the delegates would develop and vote on the U.S. […]
Around this time in 1888, American Athlete Jim Thorpe was born
Around this time in 1888, American athlete Jim Thorpe was born near Prague, Oklahoma, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation. Competing in the 1912 Olympics, he was the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States. Thorpe was a multi-talented athlete - among other sports he was skilled in […]
On this day in 1937, Americans celebrated the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
On this day in 1937, Americans celebrated the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The iconic structure spans nearly two miles and was the longest suspension bridge in the world up until 1964. A long time coming, the bridge was originally proposed in the 1870s with construction not occurring […]
First engagement of the French and Indian War
On May 28, 1754, the first engagement of the French and Indian War occurred as a Virginia militia led by 22-year-old George Washington launched a surprise attack on a party of French in southwestern Pennsylvania. 🇬🇧🇫🇷 The skirmish had international implications. Though fighting began in 1754, war wasn’t officially declared between Great Britain and France […]