Week of Events
On this day in 1937, the Appalachian Trail was formerly completed
On this day in 1937, the Appalachian Trail was formally completed. The hiking trail, covering over 2,000 miles and passing through 14 states, was conceived as a way to enjoy the wilderness and mountains of the eastern United States. The trail runs from its southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia to a northern terminus at […]
On this day in 1786, Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, Tennessee
On this day in 1786, American frontiersman and folk legend Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, Tennessee. A colorful figure, Crockett fought in the War of 1812, as well as the American Indian Wars, and served in Congress for the state of Tennessee. His move to Texas and death at the Battle of the […]
On this day – 1st Lady Florence Harding was born
On August 15, 1860, First Lady Florence Harding was born in Marion, Ohio. She proved herself and independent woman from a young age, eloping then divorcing her first husband, serving as business manager for a local newspaper, and overseeing the future president’s finances and calendar. Despite the scandals of the Harding administration, the First Lady […]
National Rum Day!
August 16 is National Rum Day! Rum was the preferred liquor of choice in colonial America and politicians running for office (including George Washington!) commonly provided it to voters. 🥃🥃🥃 In most cities, it was easier to get rum than whiskey – this changed after the Revolution as the U.S. began producing more whiskey […]
On this day – 1st Transatlantic Balloon Trip
On August 17, 1978, the first transatlantic balloon trip was completed as three Americans (Max Anderson, Ben Abruzzo, and Larry Newman) landed their helium balloon, Double Eagle II, in France. 🎈🎈🎈 The trip, which began in Maine, took one week to complete and was the first successful attempt after over a dozen tries by other […]
On this Day in 1590, Roanoke Colony Governor John White returns from England to find all of the colony’s 100+ inhabitants disappeared
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 disappeared. The Lost Colony is still one of the great unsolved mysteries of American history. Though White found remnants of the colonists, such as maps, […]
On this day – Meriwether Lewis was born
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 military and as presidential secretary to Thomas Jefferson. Did you know? Lewis met William Clark after being court-martialed. Though he was acquitted of charges that […]
On this day in 1833, 23rd president Benjamin Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio
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 Harrison). Harrison’s administration was marked by tariff issues and vigorous foreign policy measures, including the first meeting of the Pan American Congress. The Sherman Antitrust […]