October is National Seafood Month! The American seafood industry has been honored by Congress with this distinction for the past 30 years. It has operated for much longer of course, with both Native Americans and early settlers taking advantage of abundant fishing along the East Coast. 🦀🐟🦪🍤 Did you know? Though we view lobster as a […]
On October 2, 1968, Redwood National and State Parks were established in California. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, reaching heights of over 350 feet! These protected areas are home to the tallest tree in the world, the Hyperion, which is nearly 380 feet tall. 🌲🌲🌲 Did you know? Despite their enormous size, […]
On October 11, 1884, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City. The wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor was a very popular and outspoken first lady. She was keenly interested in politics and led humanitarian efforts for the poor and disadvantaged. She was also our longest-serving first lady, as her husband was […]
October 12 is National Farmer’s Day! On this day, we honor all the hard work done by America’s farmers to bring food to our tables. 🍞🌽🍎🥚 According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 98% of the 2 million farms in the country are family businesses. 🐄🏡🐖🐓 Did you know? Less than 2% of America’s workforce […]
Happy Birthday to the U.S. Navy! On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to send two armed sailing vessels out to intercept ships carrying munitions and supplies to the British. From this tiny force of 160 patriots, the U.S. Navy eventually expanded to a mighty force of 300,000+ active duty members today. The Navy’s […]
On October 16, 1758, American lexicographer Noah Webster was born in West Hartford, Connecticut. Though it was not the first American English language dictionary, Webster’s dictionary, completed in 1828, is often credited as the first significant compilation of American English as distinct from British English. 🖊📖🇺🇸 Today, Webster is still a huge name in American […]
On October 19, 1781, the British, led by General Lord Charles Cornwallis, surrendered to George Washington’s army at Yorktown, Virginia, effectually ending the Revolutionary War. The surrender marked an end to a three-week siege carried out by allied American and French forces against the British. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 Did you know? Going against accepted military custom, Cornwallis […]
On October 24, 1901, American school teacher Annie Edson Taylor, was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. 🛢️🛢️🛢️ Why did she do it? Having fallen on hard times, Taylor hoped to raise her notoriety (and money) with the stunt. Despite her post-fall recommendation against it, several others have since made […]
On October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal opened as the first major manmade waterway in the United States. Running 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo, New York it was the longest artificial waterway in North America and connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Did you know? The canal was […]
On October 27, 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers (Federalist 1) was published in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet. 🗞📰📝 Written by Alexander Hamilton under the pseudonym Publius, it was the first of a series of seventy-seven articles written along with James Madison and John Jay to address concerns about the […]
On October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday), the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. The worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, the Depression would last a decade and cause mass unemployment, poverty, and hardship. Did you know? Despite the hardships of the 1930s, Americans still found […]
For roughly a quarter of Americans (particularly in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest), tonight is known as Mischief Night! (Or Cabbage Night, Devil’s Night, or Goosey Night depending on the region one lives in.) The night before Halloween is seen as a time of mischief for young people, with common pranks including toilet […]
On October 31, 1994, Death Valley National Park was established in both California and Nevada. Death Valley earns its name: a place of extremes, it is the hottest place on Earth (!) and contains the driest and lowest points in North America. The world record highest air temperature (134° F!!!) was recorded at Death Valley’s […]
On November 1, 1938, famed American racehorse Seabiscuit outran Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a “match of the century.” 🐎🐎🐎 Small, scrawny, and uncooperative in training, Seabiscuit was an unlikely champion racehorse. The little underdog served as an inspiration to Americans caught up in the Great Depression and an impending world war. The race […]
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota entered the Union as our 39th state. A beautiful and largely rural state, North Dakota contains both the most wildlife refuges and the largest grassland in the United States. 🌾🌾🌅🌾🌾 Did you know? North Dakota is home to the Enchanted Highway, a 32-mile passage of highway dotted by some […]
Today is Election Day ! 🗳🗳🗳 Did you know? Election Day always falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Why this day? For one, farming schedules once dictated much of American life - most Americans had to travel to their local polls and spring through early fall was busy with planting […]
On November 10, 1978, Badlands National Park was established in South Dakota. The Badlands (so-called for its uninhabitability) is a swath of striking geological formations including pinnacles, buttes, and gorges mixed with prairie land. Did you know? The park is a prime location for fossils and has more Eocene and Oligocene mammal fossils than any […]
Occurring every year on November 11, Veterans Day honors the bravery and sacrifice of American veterans, past and present. 🇺🇸🪖🇺🇸🪖🇺🇸🪖 Did you know? For many years, the occasion was celebrated as Armistice Day and honored those who bravely sacrificed in World War I. In 1954, upon the urging of Raymond Weeks, a World War II […]
Letita Tyler, c. 1842 On November 12, 1790, First Lady Letitia Tyler was born in Cedar Grove, New Kent County, Virginia. An invalid, she was a quiet First Lady, only making one appearance at a White House social function for the wedding of her daughter Elizabeth. […]
On the night of November 12-13, 1833, thousands of meteors formed a meteor storm visible over North America east of the Rockies. The impressive sight lasted for hours, entrancing Americans, and leading many to believe that it was the end of the world. 💥🌟✨💫 Leading figures of the 19th century took note, including Frederick Douglass, […]
On November 14, 1896, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was born in Boone, Iowa. Despite the demands of being a military wife, and then, the wife of a prominent figure, she always had a cheerful, outgoing demeanor that endeared her to the public. She publicly shunned political involvement, but her actions often spoke louder than words. […]
On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma entered the Union as our 46th state. Located in Tornado Alley, it is one of the most tornado prone regions of the country. 🌪🌪🌪 Did you know? Oklahoma is distinguished by a large Native American population. There are over 40 distinct Native languages spoken there and roughly half of the […]
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address as part of a dedication ceremony for the national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 🇺🇸🪦🇺🇸🪦🇺🇸 Despite his remark that “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here” his brief speech went down in history as one of his most famous. The […]
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution, becoming our 12th state. The state offers a variety of landscapes, encompassing sub ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, swampland, and Atlantic coastline. 🌄🏖 Did you know? The first successful airplane flight took place in North Carolina at the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk. There, the Wright […]
On November 22, 1744, First Lady Abigail Adams was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She may be best remembered for her remark to her husband, founding father John Adams, to “remember the ladies” while making laws for the emerging United States. 🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️ Abigail was keenly interested in the development of the new country, and the 1000+ […]
Happy Thanksgiving from JMC! Thanksgiving, one of our country's oldest holidays, has roots in both the Native American and European traditions. The Wampanoags and other Native American tribes traditionally held ceremonies of thanksgiving for successful harvests and instances of good fortune. Long before coming to North America, Europeans too gave thanks for good harvests with […]
Today is Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year! 🛍🛍🛍 Did you know? It’s believed that the term “Black Friday” was first used in reference to the day after Thanksgiving by Philadelphia police officers in the 1950s to describe the mayhem of tourists visiting the city each year to shop and […]
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, […]
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 […]
It’s National Cookie Day! The first cookies in America were made from simple ingredients like sugar and butter. These butter cookies were close relatives of teacakes and shortbread of the Old World. With progress in shipping and transportation, cookie varieties eventually exploded – in modern times we enjoy cookies made with coconut, cinnamon, and (of […]
On December 6, 1907, the worst mining accident in U.S. history occurred at the Monongah Mine in West Virginia. An explosion in the mines killed 350+ coal miners. With a lack of regulation and poorly followed safety guidelines, mining deaths were tragically common in the United States in the 1800s and early 1900s. Did you […]
On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, earning it the title of “The First State.” Did you know? Delaware has no sales tax and is well-known in the business world for its clear and up-to-date approach to corporate law. Over 60% (!) of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in […]
On December 10, 1817, Mississippi was admitted to the Union as our 20th state. Did you know? Blues music has a prominent place in Mississippi history – many of the most prominent blues musicians were from Mississippi, including John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. 🪕🎹🎤 What’s in a name? What a name! Notoriously […]
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution, making it our second state. The state has hosted many historical events, perhaps most notably the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention. 🇺🇸📜🇺🇸 Philadelphia (home of the Jack Miller Center!) also served as the meeting place for the First Continental Congress in 1774. […]
On December 13, 1818, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington, Kentucky. The wife of Abraham Lincoln, Mary endured many tragedies in her life. Aside from her husband’s famous assassination and the general stresses of the Civil War, she lost three of her four children at a young age. Did you know? Mary […]
Happy Bill of Rights Day! 📜📜📜 On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified, consisting of the first ten amendments in our Constitution. Inspired by such documents as the Magna Carta and Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Bill of Rights explicitly protected such basic American rights as freedom of speech, religion, and […]
On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as France officially transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land transfers in history. Consisting of roughly 827,000 square miles west of the Mississippi River, the new U.S. territory nearly doubled the size of our young country. […]
On December 22, 1912, First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson was born in Karnack, Texas. She may be best known for her efforts to beautify American highways with wildflowers and protect the environment. 🌼🌷🌾 Did you know? The First Lady received her nickname from a childhood nurse, who reportedly said “she’s as pretty as a […]
On December 24, 1745, American patriot, founding father, and physician Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Rush put his medical knowledge to use during the Revolution, treating injured and sick soldiers on the field. He went on to represent Pennsylvania as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a proponent of the Constitution. […]
Although the holiday is believed to date back to 336 A.D., Christmas did not catch on across the United States until the latter half of the 1700s. During colonial times, celebrations (or lack thereof) greatly depended on the predominant sect of each region. In Puritan New England, Christmas celebrations were often banned as non-Biblical and […]
On December 26, 1935, Shenandoah National Park was established in Virginia. Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range, the park contains 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, as well as Skyline Drive, a particularly picturesque road running along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 🌳⛰🌫🌳 Did you know? As it was […]
On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the Union as our 28th state. It is the largest state in the continental U.S. and the second largest state by population in the country. Reflecting its huge size, the state contains the largest ranch in the nation, King Ranch, which is bigger than the state of Rhode Island! […]
On December 31, 1907, the first New Year's Eve "ball drop" in Times Square took place in New York City. The first ball was tiny, but heavy - only 5 feet in diameter, but 700 pounds, it was carefully lowered down a flagpole by pulley. Unlike the modern ball, which is famously covered in Waterford […]
Happy New Year! 🎊🎉🎊 In colonial America, it was customary to exchange small gifts on New Year’s Day and visit with friends and neighbors. One common (and fragrant!) gift was an orange with cloves stuck into it, which often formed designs. 🍊🍊🍊 Southern Americans traditionally ate black-eyed peas for New Year’s. The peas were thought […]
On January 2, 1788, Georgia ratified the Constitution, making it our 4th state. It’s the largest state east of the Mississippi River and is famous for its peaches, pecans, and peanuts. 🍑🥜🥧 Did you know? Georgia was originally chartered as a felon colony – the colony’s founder, James Oglethorpe, wanted English debtors to find a […]
On January 3, 1879, First Lady Grace Coolidge was born in Burlington, Vermont. A balancing presence to her reserved husband (“Silent Cal”) she was friendly, outgoing, and popular (the Secret Service even nicknamed her “Sunshine.”) During her time at the White House, she worked to restore its historic furnishings, many of which had been sold […]
On January 7, 1830, German-American artist Albert Bierstadt was born in Solingen, Rhine, Prussia. 🎨🎨🎨 A leading artist in the Hudson River School, Bierstadt focused on beautiful landscapes. His most famous works depict the American West, including several future national parks, and are still appreciated today (many Bierstadt works have been featured by this account!) […]
Happy National Hat Day! 🎩🧢👒 Hats are nothing new, but the United States has produced some unique pieces of headgear throughout its history, including the cowboy hat (inspired by Mexican sombreros), the coonskin cap (made famous by Davey Crockett), and even the cheesehead (worn by Green Bay Packers fans). 🤠🧀 Did you know? During the […]
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! A figurehead of the American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was a proponent of civil disobedience and non-violent protest. Persevering despite death threats, abuse, and arrest, he rose to the national stage, directing the 1963 March on Washington (where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” […]
On January 17, 1706, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin was instrumental in the formation of the new United States – he played key roles at the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and as a diplomat to France. 🇫🇷🇺🇸 A man of many talents, he didn’t just distinguish himself in the […]
It’s National Popcorn Day! 🍿🍿🍿 Popcorn originated in the Americas and was first cultivated thousands of years ago – some of the earliest kernels were found in Peru and date back 6,700 years (!) 🌽🌽🌽 Soon, European settlers loved popcorn just as much as their Native American neighbors. Mass consumption of popcorn didn’t begin until […]
On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical doctorate. Despite sexism, she succeeded not only in completing her coursework, but founding a hospital and training nurses during the Civil War. 🩹🩺💉 Did you know? Blackwell was inspired to pursue the medical profession after a dying […]
On January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill near Coloma, California, triggering the California Gold Rush. As news of the discovery spread, thousands of would-be gold miners poured into California looking to strike it rich. 💰💰💰 Though many were unlucky in mining, the population boom helped propel California to statehood. Did you know? […]
On January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union as our 26th state. The state has the most coastline on the Great Lakes and is bordered by Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, and Erie. The state (and more specifically, its largest city, Detroit) are well known as the capital of the American auto industry – […]
On January 29, 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union as our 34th state. Kansas’s statehood came with much controversy – its statehood was proposed under the policy of “popular sovereignty” which meant that the territory’s residents were to vote on the legality of slavery in the new state. With tensions over slavery high nationwide, […]
Happy National Hot Chocolate Day! ☕️☕️☕️Cocoa beans are native to South America and the first known hot chocolate was developed in Mexico by the Aztecs and Mayans. This hot chocolate was very different from what we enjoy today – early recipes included chili pepper and cornmeal and were often served cold, bitter, and frothy. 🌶🌽🍫 […]
On February 1, 1901, American poet Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes was a leading light of the Harlem Renaissance and his short stories, poems, and novels about the Black American experience are still well-read today, including “I, Too,” “The Weary Blues,” and “Mother to Son.” Did you know? Part of Hughes’ popularity was his […]
Today, the groundhog saw/didn’t see his shadow – six more weeks of winter! Groundhog Day was first officially celebrated on this day in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club still gather in Gobbler’s Knob to lift Phil high in the air and oversee the proceedings in Pennsylvania Dutch. 🎩🎩🎩 Did you know? […]
On February 6, 1788, Massachusetts ratified the Constitution, establishing itself as our 6th state. The state has deep revolutionary roots – Boston was a hotbed of patriot activity leading up to the Revolution and the first battles of the war (those at Lexington and Concord) took place in Massachusetts. Did you know? Massachusetts’ state constitution […]
On February 8, 1820, William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio. A commanding general for the Union Army during the Civil War, Sherman was key to northern victory. His tactics, while effective, were bitterly remembered in the South long after the war – Sherman’s March, a military campaign of total destruction from Atlanta to Savannah, […]
On February 11, 1847, American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio. Edison was successful in obtaining a record-breaking 1,093 patents during his lifetime. He most famously invented the first commercially successful light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. 💡🎼 🎥 Did you know? Edison was a poor student as […]
On February 12, 1809, 16th president Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky. We particularly honor Lincoln for his leadership in steering the country through a civil war intact and for taking the necessary steps to end slavery once and for all. Did you know? Lincoln was the first president born outside of the original 13 colonies. […]
On February 13, 1885, First Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Truman was born in Independence, Missouri. Though a private person, she actively served as her husband’s confidante and secretary during his time in the White House. ☎️ 🖊 📁 Did you know? The president wrote over 1,000 letters to Bess between 1910 and 1959. These "Dear Bess" […]
On October 14, 1994, Saguaro National Park was established in Arizona. The park is home to the giant saguaro – the largest cactus in the United States and arguably the most recognizable symbol of the American West. 🏜🌵🏜🌵🏜 Truly American, saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, California, and Mexico, where they can […]
Happy Valentine’s Day! Though this holiday has origins in the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia and as a Christian feast day, it wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that it become popular to mark it by exchanging notes and tokens of affection with friends and lovers. 🥰💗💝🍫 Did you know? The famous conversation heart candies we […]
On February 18, 1735, the first opera in America was performed in Charleston, South Carolina. So what was it? Flora, or Hob in the Well, a ballad opera. Ballad operas were a fairly new genre at the time and featured farce and popular songs with lyrics changed to fit the story. 🎼 🎭 🎟 In […]
On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, allowing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The order disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans, who were relocated to internment camps (most in remote areas of the West). Though many of the interned were U.S. […]
Happy Presidents Day! 🇺🇸🏛🇺🇸 Presidents Day, as we now call it, began as an officially recognized celebration of George Washington’s birthday in 1885. During the 1960s, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which pushed several federal holiday observances to Mondays in order to allow for three-day weekends. This effectively moved Washington’s Birthday from the actual […]
On this day in 1732, founding father and our 1st president George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Aside from serving two terms as our first president, Washington was Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Uniquely, he was in a position of steering the emerging nation to success not only with […]
On February 26, 1919, Grand Canyon National Park was established in Arizona. The canyon is truly awe-inspiring – spanning up to 18 miles at its widest point and plunging to over a mile deep, it is actually larger than the U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island (!) The Grand Canyon attracts not only American […]
It’s National Quilting Day! ✂️🏵🧵🪡 Quilting dates back to at least medieval times, taking hold in America as colonial settlers arrived. Quilting bees were a popular form of socialization for women in early America. Quilts were particularly prized as wedding gifts for young women about to marry. 👰♀️👰♀️👰♀️ Aside from being beautiful, quilts are a […]
Happy Spring! 🌸🌷🌱 Today marks the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and is one of two days within the year during which the sun is directly above the equator and day and night are of equal length. Did you know? Spring was a season of new beginnings in more than one way for colonial […]
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech in Richmond, Virginia while arguing for the deployment of Virginia troops in the American Revolution. Henry’s passionate speech made a strong impression on the Second Virginia Convention, who sat in stunned silence for several minutes afterwards. It had […]
Happy April Fools’ Day! 👻🤡🙉💥 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. 💥💥💥 - James Garfield was ambidextrous and could purportedly simultaneously […]
Today is International Children’s Book Day! ✨📖✨📚✨ Did you know? Children’s books are a fairly new innovation – prior to the 1700s or so, books for children tended to be strictly educational in nature. And, as printing became more economical, children’s books began booming in the 1800s. Some of the all-time best-selling American children’s books […]
On April 4, 1887, the first woman mayor was elected in the United States as Susanna M. Salter won the election in Argonia, Kansas. Salter was passionate about the temperance movement and when local men nominated her for mayoral candidacy as a joke, the 27-year-old mother of four staggered them by winning 2/3 of the vote. Scrutinized nationally […]
On this day in 1925, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first published in New York City. The book, widely-read by American high schoolers every year, is particularly associated with the Roaring ‘20s and explores materialism, identity, and habits of Jazz Age members of “the Lost Generation.” 🎉 🥂 🍾 🎊 Did you know? The […]
On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began as Confederate troops under the command of General 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 […]
April 16 is National Librarian Day! 🔖📚📖📚🔖 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 cost of members-only book access. The first membership library in the […]
On April 19, 1721, statesman and founding father Roger Sherman was born in Newton, 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. 📜📃📜📃 During the Constitutional Convention, […]
On April 24, 1800, the Library of Congress was established in Washington, D.C. It is our nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world (!) Since 1801, the collection has grown from an initial 740 volumes “necessary for the use of congress” to over 170 million items. 📚📚📚 Since its inception, the Library […]
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 nation’s capitol – Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army here. What’s in […]
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 jazz’s development, as the genre borrows elements of both African and European musical traditions. Jazz developed in […]
It’s May Day! 🌼🌷🌸 So what is May Day exactly? Traditionally, the day marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Germanic pagan tribes and their descendants celebrated new spring flowers and the sprouting of crops with bonfires and dancing around the maypole. 🌱🌷🔥 Though the Puritans disavowed these traditions, other groups […]
May 4 is National Orange Juice Day! 🍊🍊🍊Orange juice was enjoyed seasonally as early as 1600s. For most of its history however, it was a rare luxury, freshly squeezed when oranges were in season. Orange trees were first brought to Florida in the mid-1500s, likely by Ponce de Leon, where they flourished in the state’s mild […]
Today marks the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby! The Derby dates to 1875 and of the three races in the Triple Crown, it is the first and the most popular, attracting millions of viewers every year. 🐎🐎🐎 Over the years, the race has collected a variety of traditions, including mint juleps, enormous rose garlands, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
On May 29, 1790, our 13th state, Rhode Island, was ratified into the United States. Though it was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain, it was the last of the Thirteen Colonies to ratify the Constitution, and the only state to boycott the Constitutional Convention. Though it is tiny (the smallest state […]
October is National Seafood Month! The American seafood industry has been honored by Congress with this distinction for the past 30 years. It has operated for much longer of course, with […]
On October 2, 1968, Redwood National and State Parks were established in California. Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on earth, reaching heights of over 350 feet! These protected areas […]
On October 11, 1884, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City. The wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor was a very popular and outspoken first lady. She […]
October 12 is National Farmer’s Day! On this day, we honor all the hard work done by America’s farmers to bring food to our tables. 🍞🌽🍎🥚 According to the American […]
Happy Birthday to the U.S. Navy! On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to send two armed sailing vessels out to intercept ships carrying munitions and supplies to the […]
On October 16, 1758, American lexicographer Noah Webster was born in West Hartford, Connecticut. Though it was not the first American English language dictionary, Webster’s dictionary, completed in 1828, is […]
On October 19, 1781, the British, led by General Lord Charles Cornwallis, surrendered to George Washington’s army at Yorktown, Virginia, effectually ending the Revolutionary War. The surrender marked an end […]
On October 24, 1901, American school teacher Annie Edson Taylor, was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. 🛢️🛢️🛢️ Why did she do it? Having fallen […]
On October 26, 1825, the Erie Canal opened as the first major manmade waterway in the United States. Running 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo, New York it was the […]
On October 27, 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers (Federalist 1) was published in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet. 🗞📰📝 Written by Alexander Hamilton under the […]
On October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday), the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. The worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, […]
For roughly a quarter of Americans (particularly in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest), tonight is known as Mischief Night! (Or Cabbage Night, Devil’s Night, or Goosey Night depending […]
On October 31, 1994, Death Valley National Park was established in both California and Nevada. Death Valley earns its name: a place of extremes, it is the hottest place on […]
On November 1, 1938, famed American racehorse Seabiscuit outran Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a “match of the century.” 🐎🐎🐎 Small, scrawny, and uncooperative in training, Seabiscuit was an […]
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota entered the Union as our 39th state. A beautiful and largely rural state, North Dakota contains both the most wildlife refuges and the largest […]
Today is Election Day ! 🗳🗳🗳 Did you know? Election Day always falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Why this day? For one, farming schedules […]
On November 10, 1978, Badlands National Park was established in South Dakota. The Badlands (so-called for its uninhabitability) is a swath of striking geological formations including pinnacles, buttes, and gorges […]
Occurring every year on November 11, Veterans Day honors the bravery and sacrifice of American veterans, past and present. 🇺🇸🪖🇺🇸🪖🇺🇸🪖 Did you know? For many years, the occasion was celebrated […]
Letita Tyler, c. 1842 On November 12, 1790, First Lady Letitia Tyler was born in Cedar Grove, New Kent County, Virginia. […]
On the night of November 12-13, 1833, thousands of meteors formed a meteor storm visible over North America east of the Rockies. The impressive sight lasted for hours, entrancing Americans, […]
On November 14, 1896, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was born in Boone, Iowa. Despite the demands of being a military wife, and then, the wife of a prominent figure, she […]
On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma entered the Union as our 46th state. Located in Tornado Alley, it is one of the most tornado prone regions of the country. 🌪🌪🌪 Did […]
On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address as part of a dedication ceremony for the national cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 🇺🇸🪦🇺🇸🪦🇺🇸 Despite his remark that “The […]
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution, becoming our 12th state. The state offers a variety of landscapes, encompassing sub ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, swampland, and Atlantic […]
On November 22, 1744, First Lady Abigail Adams was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She may be best remembered for her remark to her husband, founding father John Adams, to “remember […]
Today is Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year! 🛍🛍🛍 Did you know? It’s believed that the term “Black Friday” was first used in reference to […]
Happy Thanksgiving from JMC! Thanksgiving, one of our country's oldest holidays, has roots in both the Native American and European traditions. The Wampanoags and other Native American tribes traditionally held […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s National Cookie Day! The first cookies in America were made from simple ingredients like sugar and butter. These butter cookies were close relatives of teacakes and shortbread of the […]
On December 6, 1907, the worst mining accident in U.S. history occurred at the Monongah Mine in West Virginia. An explosion in the mines killed 350+ coal miners. With a […]
On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, earning it the title of “The First State.” Did you know? Delaware has no sales tax and […]
On December 10, 1817, Mississippi was admitted to the Union as our 20th state. Did you know? Blues music has a prominent place in Mississippi history – many of the […]
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution, making it our second state. The state has hosted many historical events, perhaps most notably the signing of the Declaration of Independence […]
On December 13, 1818, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington, Kentucky. The wife of Abraham Lincoln, Mary endured many tragedies in her life. Aside from her husband’s […]
Happy Bill of Rights Day! 📜📜📜 On this day in 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified, consisting of the first ten amendments in our Constitution. Inspired by such documents […]
On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as France officially transferred the Louisiana Territory to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land transfers […]
On December 22, 1912, First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson was born in Karnack, Texas. She may be best known for her efforts to beautify American highways with wildflowers and […]
On December 24, 1745, American patriot, founding father, and physician Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Rush put his medical knowledge to use during the Revolution, treating injured and […]
Although the holiday is believed to date back to 336 A.D., Christmas did not catch on across the United States until the latter half of the 1700s. During colonial times, […]
On December 26, 1935, Shenandoah National Park was established in Virginia. Extending along the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range, the park contains 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail, […]
On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the Union as our 28th state. It is the largest state in the continental U.S. and the second largest state by population in the […]
On December 31, 1907, the first New Year's Eve "ball drop" in Times Square took place in New York City. The first ball was tiny, but heavy - only 5 […]
Happy New Year! 🎊🎉🎊 In colonial America, it was customary to exchange small gifts on New Year’s Day and visit with friends and neighbors. One common (and fragrant!) gift was […]
On January 2, 1788, Georgia ratified the Constitution, making it our 4th state. It’s the largest state east of the Mississippi River and is famous for its peaches, pecans, and […]
On January 3, 1879, First Lady Grace Coolidge was born in Burlington, Vermont. A balancing presence to her reserved husband (“Silent Cal”) she was friendly, outgoing, and popular (the Secret […]
On January 7, 1830, German-American artist Albert Bierstadt was born in Solingen, Rhine, Prussia. 🎨🎨🎨 A leading artist in the Hudson River School, Bierstadt focused on beautiful landscapes. His most […]
Happy National Hat Day! 🎩🧢👒 Hats are nothing new, but the United States has produced some unique pieces of headgear throughout its history, including the cowboy hat (inspired by Mexican […]
On January 17, 1706, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin was instrumental in the formation of the new United States – he played key roles at […]
It’s National Popcorn Day! 🍿🍿🍿 Popcorn originated in the Americas and was first cultivated thousands of years ago – some of the earliest kernels were found in Peru and date […]
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! A figurehead of the American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was a proponent of civil disobedience and non-violent protest. Persevering despite death […]
On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical doctorate. Despite sexism, she succeeded not only in completing her coursework, but […]
On January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill near Coloma, California, triggering the California Gold Rush. As news of the discovery spread, thousands of would-be gold miners poured […]
On January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union as our 26th state. The state has the most coastline on the Great Lakes and is bordered by Lakes Superior, […]
On January 29, 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union as our 34th state. Kansas’s statehood came with much controversy – its statehood was proposed under the policy of “popular […]
Happy National Hot Chocolate Day! ☕️☕️☕️Cocoa beans are native to South America and the first known hot chocolate was developed in Mexico by the Aztecs and Mayans. This hot chocolate […]
On February 1, 1901, American poet Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes was a leading light of the Harlem Renaissance and his short stories, poems, and novels about the […]
Today, the groundhog saw/didn’t see his shadow – six more weeks of winter! Groundhog Day was first officially celebrated on this day in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Members of the Punxsutawney […]
On February 6, 1788, Massachusetts ratified the Constitution, establishing itself as our 6th state. The state has deep revolutionary roots – Boston was a hotbed of patriot activity leading up […]
On February 8, 1820, William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio. A commanding general for the Union Army during the Civil War, Sherman was key to northern victory. His tactics, […]
On February 11, 1847, American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio. Edison was successful in obtaining a record-breaking 1,093 patents during his lifetime. He most famously […]
On February 12, 1809, 16th president Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky. We particularly honor Lincoln for his leadership in steering the country through a civil war intact and for […]
On February 13, 1885, First Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Truman was born in Independence, Missouri. Though a private person, she actively served as her husband’s confidante and secretary during his time […]
On October 14, 1994, Saguaro National Park was established in Arizona. The park is home to the giant saguaro – the largest cactus in the United States and arguably the […]
Happy Valentine’s Day! Though this holiday has origins in the Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia and as a Christian feast day, it wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that it […]
Happy Presidents Day! 🇺🇸🏛🇺🇸 Presidents Day, as we now call it, began as an officially recognized celebration of George Washington’s birthday in 1885. During the 1960s, Congress passed the Uniform Monday […]
On February 18, 1735, the first opera in America was performed in Charleston, South Carolina. So what was it? Flora, or Hob in the Well, a ballad opera. Ballad operas were a […]
On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, allowing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The order disrupted the lives of tens […]
On this day in 1732, founding father and our 1st president George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Aside from serving two terms as our first president, Washington was Commander in […]
On February 26, 1919, Grand Canyon National Park was established in Arizona. The canyon is truly awe-inspiring – spanning up to 18 miles at its widest point and plunging to […]
It’s National Quilting Day! ✂️🏵🧵🪡 Quilting dates back to at least medieval times, taking hold in America as colonial settlers arrived. Quilting bees were a popular form of socialization for […]
Happy Spring! 🌸🌷🌱 Today marks the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and is one of two days within the year during which the sun is directly above the equator […]
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech in Richmond, Virginia while arguing for the deployment of Virginia troops in the […]
Happy April Fools’ Day! 👻🤡🙉💥 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 […]
Today is International Children’s Book Day! ✨📖✨📚✨ Did you know? Children’s books are a fairly new innovation – prior to the 1700s or so, books for children tended to be […]
On April 4, 1887, the first woman mayor was elected in the United States as Susanna M. Salter won the election in Argonia, Kansas. Salter was passionate about the temperance movement and […]
On this day in 1925, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was first published in New York City. The book, widely-read by American high schoolers every year, is particularly associated […]
On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began as Confederate troops under the command of General Pierre Beauregard opened fire on Fort Sumter off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. South […]
April 16 is National Librarian Day! 🔖📚📖📚🔖 What better way to celebrate than visiting your local library? Did you know? The precursor to the public library was the membership library […]
On April 19, 1721, statesman and founding father Roger Sherman was born in Newton, Massachusetts. A representative from Connecticut, Sherman is the only person to have signed all four of the […]
On April 24, 1800, the Library of Congress was established in Washington, D.C. It is our nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world (!) Since 1801, […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s May Day! 🌼🌷🌸 So what is May Day exactly? Traditionally, the day marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Germanic pagan tribes and their descendants […]
May 4 is National Orange Juice Day! 🍊🍊🍊Orange juice was enjoyed seasonally as early as 1600s. For most of its history however, it was a rare luxury, freshly squeezed when oranges […]
Today marks the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby! The Derby dates to 1875 and of the three races in the Triple Crown, it is the first and the most […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
On May 29, 1790, our 13th state, Rhode Island, was ratified into the United States. Though it was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain, it was the […]