On May 10, 1775, the colonial forces achieved a significant victory in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Situated strategically between Lake Champlain and Lake George in present-day New York, Fort Ticonderoga was a key stronghold in the region, controlling vital waterways and serving as a gateway... Continue Reading →
Sultana’s Bones
The SS Sultana was a Mississippi River steamboat that tragically sank on April 27, 1865, near Memphis, Tennessee. Originally constructed in 1863, the Sultana was a side-wheel steamboat used primarily for transporting cargo and passengers along the Mississippi River. During the final days of the American Civil War, the ship was tasked with a critical... Continue Reading →
The Capitulations of Santa Fe
On April 17, 1492, the Capitulations of Santa Fe were signed, marking a pivotal moment in world history. This document outlined an agreement between Christopher Columbus and the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, sanctioning Columbus’s proposed expedition to reach the Indies by sailing west. This bold initiative not only reflected the maritime ambitions of the... Continue Reading →
Expelling Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was a pioneering figure in early American history, whose beliefs and actions challenged the rigid Puritanical norms of her time, particularly within the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, in 1591, she was the daughter of Francis Marbury, a clergyman and school teacher known for his own dissent against... Continue Reading →
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer whose name became synonymous with the New World, played a pivotal role in the age of exploration. His life story intertwines with the discovery and mapping of the Americas, leaving a legacy that would forever change the course of history. Born on March 9, 1454, in Florence, Italy, Amerigo Vespucci... Continue Reading →
The Worst Ruling of All Time
The Dred Scott case, formally known as Dred Scott v. Sandford, was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on March 6, 1857. This legal battle emerged against the backdrop of a nation deeply divided over the issue of slavery. The 1850s were marked by escalating tensions between free and slave states, exemplified... Continue Reading →
Houston
Sam Houston, born on March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, embarked on a life journey that would lead him to become a key figure in the history of the United States, particularly in relation to Texas. Houston's early life was marked by the death of his father in 1807, which prompted his family to... Continue Reading →
The Wild West Show
William "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a figure larger than life, embodying the spirit of the American West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life story reads like a tale of adventure, showmanship, and the changing face of the United States during a pivotal era. William Frederick Cody was born on February 26,... Continue Reading →
Impeached!
Washington, D.C., February 24, 1868 – In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, the House of Representatives has voted to pass articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson. This historic decision marks the first time in American history that a sitting president faces the possibility of removal from office through... Continue Reading →
The 18th Vice President of the United States
In the annals of American history, few figures have traversed the arduous path from humble beginnings to the echelons of political power with the same steadfast commitment to principle as Henry Wilson, the 18th Vice President of the United States. Born amidst the bleakness of winter on February 16, 1812, in the rural confines of... Continue Reading →
Remember the Maine
The USS Maine, an American naval ship, met a tragic end in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, an event that significantly escalated tensions between the United States and Spain, leading to the Spanish-American War. This article delves into the intricate details of the Maine's design and construction, its operational history, the catastrophic explosion that... Continue Reading →
Gerrymandering
Elbridge Gerry's life story is one woven with threads of colonial business ventures, revolutionary fervor, and enduring political legacies. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1744, Gerry's upbringing was steeped in the bustling maritime trade of the colonial era. His family's prosperity afforded him the opportunity for a privileged education, which... Continue Reading →
The 9th Vice President
Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth Vice President of the United States, served under President Martin Van Buren from 1837 to 1841. His life was marked by significant contributions to American politics, a complex personal life, and a legacy that remains a subject of interest among historians. This article explores Johnson's life, from his early years... Continue Reading →
The Barred Zone
The Immigration Act of 1917 is one of those pivotal moments in American history that really makes you stop and think: "How did we get here, and what does this say about us as a nation?" So, let's take a deep dive into this intriguing yet complex chapter of the past. Picture the United States... Continue Reading →
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
February 1917. It feels like stepping back into a time when the world was perched on the precipice of change, especially for the United States. This was a moment when the echoes of war across the Atlantic were about to resonate deeply with the American people and their government. Let me paint you a picture... Continue Reading →
The Doomed Experiment
It's February 1, 1861, and we're standing on the cusp of one of the most tumultuous periods in the United States - the Civil War. Now, focus on Texas, a state renowned for its fierce independence and spirit. This is the day Texas decided to sever its ties with the Union, a decision that was... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Seattle
No... not the one in 1984 between the Broncos and the Seahawks... Imagine standing in Seattle on a bone-chilling January morning in 1856. The air is heavy, almost suffocating, with an ominous tension that you can almost touch. It’s the kind of morning that hints at something momentous about to unfold, a day that would... Continue Reading →
The Pivotal Day
Shays' Rebellion, an uprising that unfolded in Massachusetts between 1786 and 1787, stands as a significant event in the early history of the United States. This rebellion, led by Daniel Shays, a former captain in the Continental Army, was primarily fueled by economic grievances and political injustice faced by rural farmers and war veterans in... Continue Reading →
Tax Season
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6g3I49v82XAw1DlEBpdme0?si=914cef53a9e04516 The Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad case, decided by the United States Supreme Court on January 24, 1916, stands as a cornerstone in American constitutional law, particularly in the realm of taxation. This landmark case arose in the wake of the Sixteenth Amendment's ratification in 1913, which fundamentally altered the federal government's power to... Continue Reading →
Marias Massacre
In the annals of American history, certain events stand out as stark reminders of the complex and often tragic interactions between the United States government and Native American tribes. Among these, the Marias Massacre of 1870 remains one of the most brutal yet least discussed episodes. This massacre, occurring against the backdrop of the United... Continue Reading →