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, the parade began as a way to showcase Macy’s growing success. With a focus on Christmas (not Thanksgiving), the parade helped advertise the popular department […]

On November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting. 🎤🪕🎸The longest running radio program in U.S. history, the weekly country music concert began as the one-hour “Barn Dance” broadcast. Since then, the Opry has become famous for showcasing some of the biggest names in country music, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, […]

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 […]

Reflecting Americans’ love for holiday decorating, today is National Christmas Lights Day! 💡🎄💡 Did you know? The small strands of bulbs commonly called “Christmas lights” were first invented by Thomas Edison in the 1880s – he decorated outside his Menlo Park Laboratory with the little lights for the holiday season. Two years later, Edison’s friend […]

On December 2, 1763, the first and oldest synagogue in the United States, the Touro Synagogue, was dedicated in Newport, Rhode Island. ✡️🇺🇸✡️🇺🇸 The congregation was famously addressed by President George Washington in a 1790 letter affirming religious liberty in the new nation: “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is […]

On December 3, 1818, Illinois was admitted to the Union as our 21st state. The most populated state in the Midwest, Illinois boasts the famous city of Chicago, as well as flat, fertile farmland. 🏙🌾 Did you know? Illinois proudly sports the nickname, “Land of Lincoln” because the 16th president called the state home for over […]