Week of Events
On May 8, 1877, the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opened in New York City’s Gilmore’s Garden
On May 8, 1877, the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opened in New York City’s Gilmore’s Garden (a forerunner of Madison Square Garden). Today, the show is one of the largest and most famous dog shows in the world. 🐕🐩🐕🦺🦮 Last year’s winner? Trumpet, a Bloodhound from Illinois. Did you know? The kennel club took […]
On this day in 1884, 33rd President Harry Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri
On this day in 1884, 33rd president Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri. Truman became president under trying circumstances. Upon the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, the former vice-president faced difficult choices relating to the first use of the atomic bomb, the subsequent end of World War II, and the […]
American Abolitionist John Brown born in Torrington, Connecticut
On May 9, 1800, American abolitionist John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut. He’s best remembered for his forceful means of fighting slavery, in particular the raid he led on Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia in 1859. The raid was meant to incite a nationwide slave rebellion and heightened already rising tensions over slavery between North […]
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress was first convened in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress was first convened in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. 🇺🇸🏫🔔 The Congress would serve through 1781, during this period signing and approving the Declaration of Independence, guiding the fledgling nation through much of the American Revolution, and establishing the Articles of Confederation. Did you know? The Second Continental Congress was […]
Completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States in Promontory Point, Utah
On this day in 1869, the first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed in Promontory Point, Utah, where a golden spike was driven to connect the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways. This major step in infrastructure helped to connect the country and enabled faster and cheaper travel. 🚂🚃🚃 A ceremony, centered […]
On May 11, 1910, Glacier National Park was established in Montana
On May 11, 1910, Glacier National Park was established in Montana. As its name suggests, Glacier is one of the northernmost parks in the continental U.S. and contains roughly 25 glaciers. Aside from its glaciers, visitors to the park enjoy beautiful mountain views, Lake McDonald and its multicolored rocks, and local wildlife, including hardy, sure-footed mountain goats. […]
On this day – Minnesota became our 32nd State
On May 11, 1858, Minnesota was admitted into the United States as our 32nd state. Did you know? Minnesota was the first Union state to volunteer troops to fight in the Civil War. Roughly half of Minnesota’s eligible men fought in the war. Minnesota’s nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” is no exaggeration. In actuality, the […]
May 13 is National Apple Pie Day!
May 13 is National Apple Pie Day! So, is apple pie as “American as apple pie”? Well, not exactly. 🍎🥧🍎🥧🍎 Apples aren’t native to North America and apple pie traces its roots back to 1300s England. The first recorded recipe included not just apples, but pears, figs, and raisins as well. So how did apple […]