On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress declared America’s independence! Did you know that this vote actually occurred on July 2, not July 4?“That these United Colonies are,” congressional delegates resolved, “and, of right, ought to be, Free and … Continue reading

By Tara Ross & Joseph C. Smith. Jr.In George Orwell’s 1984, Winston Smith works as a bureaucrat in Oceania’s Ministry of Truth. His job is to rewrite history to suit the demands of Oceania’s government. News articles are rewritten so … Continue reading

Opinions of the Court - 2023

During this summer in 1912, ex-President Theodore Roosevelt storms out of the Republican Party convention. Perhaps you know that Roosevelt served most of two terms as President (1901-1909), but did you know that he tried and failed to achieve a … Continue reading

On this day in 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, learn that they are free. The anniversary of today’s events has come to be known as Juneteenth.But why did it take Galveston so long to receive the news? The Civil War … Continue reading

At about this time in 2006, a team of Americans comes under attack. Jared C. Monti was among these men. He was known for his toughness, his bravery—and his thoughtfulness towards others. How unsurprising, then, that he rushed to save … Continue reading

Happy Flag Day! Did you know that today’s holiday would not exist but for the actions of a 19-year old schoolteacher from Wisconsin?In other words, anyone, anywhere can make a difference.In 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand was teaching in a one-room … Continue reading

On this day in 1778, the Continental Congress receives peace overtures from the so-called Carlisle Commission. Let’s just say that the British peace commission achieved anything but peace. To the contrary, the missive it sent to Congress caused such an … Continue reading

On this day in 1924, George H.W. Bush is born.  You know him as the 41st President of the United States, but do you know about his service during World War II? He was among those that rushed to enlist … Continue reading

On this day in 1741, a great Patriot is born. You may know him as the man who sent Paul Revere off on his ride, but he was far more than that. Dr. Joseph Warren was an active, charismatic leader … Continue reading

On this day in 1945, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Lt. Richard M. McCool, Jr. was just 23 years old when he served on this day so long ago. Nevertheless, he’d … Continue reading

On this day in 1939, a Sargo-class submarine sinks during a deep dive. No submarine crew had ever been rescued once they’d sunk below 20 feet. Would the crew of the USS Squalus become the first to survive such a … Continue reading

On this day in 1782, George Washington responds to a shocking suggestion. Should ex-soldiers form a new state on the frontier? And should this new state have its own constitution, creating its own executive holding “some title apparently more moderate, … Continue reading

On this day in 1848, Agrippa Hull passes away. He’s been called “one of the most remarkable and unnoticed African Americans of the revolutionary era.” His lineage was certainly noteworthy. It’s been said that his father was an African prince … Continue reading

On this day in 1967, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor.  Perhaps Frankie Molnar was destined to be a hero?  His mother would later remember Molnar’s early years in West Virginia, telling a … Continue reading

On this day in 1822, a Revolutionary War hero passes away. John Stark is perhaps best known for coining the motto, “Live Free or Die!”Okay, so technically he wasn’t the first to use the phrase, but his usage was certainly … Continue reading

On this day in 1789, the first inaugural ball is held. It wasn’t quite what we think of as a presidential ball, but it was a celebration, nonetheless!Can you imagine Washington dancing at his ball? You probably can’t. The picture … Continue reading

At about this time in 1944, American forces engage in training exercises for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Exercise Tiger was intended to simulate every aspect of the landings at Utah Beach. Unfortunately, it ended in tragedy and disaster instead.American … Continue reading

On this day in 1777, Sybil Ludington Ogden, the so-called female Paul Revere, makes a daring midnight ride!You know about Revere’s ride, but you may not have heard of Sybil’s. She made it when she was only 16 years old. … Continue reading

On this day in 1980, a special operations team attempts to rescue 53 American hostages in Iran. That mission would unfortunately end in tragedy.The Iran Hostage Crisis had been ongoing for months, ever since revolutionary Iranians stormed the American embassy … Continue reading

On this day in 1879, the “Great Fire” destroys five buildings at the University of Notre Dame. When University founder Father Edward Sorin heard the news, he vowed to rebuild—but bigger and better! Sorin was a Frenchman who’d come to America … Continue reading

On this day in 1944, a hero receives the Medal of Honor. Ernest Childers was a Muscogee (Creek) Indian and one of just five American Indians to receive a Medal during the 20th century. In retrospect, much of his early life … Continue reading

On this day in 1775, the “shot heard round the world” occurs at Lexington Green!It had been mere hours since Paul Revere ended his famous ride from Boston to Lexington (see previous post). Seven hundred British soldiers were en route … Continue reading

On this day in 1775, Paul Revere makes his famous ride. I am so sorry to tell you that he did not really yell “the British are coming!” as he rode. But he did accomplish one important goal: He warned … Continue reading

On this day in 1790, Benjamin Franklin passes away. “[P]erhaps no person in American history has taken on such emblematic and imaginative significance for Americans as has Franklin,” historian Gordon S. Wood once observed. You may know Franklin the diplomat, Franklin … Continue reading

At about this time in 1783, the last battle of the American Revolution occurs. No, it wasn’t at Yorktown. It wasn’t even in one of the original thirteen colonies. This battle occurred in Arkansas! It was the last—and the most … Continue reading

On this day in 2004, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Jason Dunham was the son of a United States Air Force veteran, and he was born on the birthday of the … Continue reading

On this day in 1724, a future signer of the Declaration of Independence is born in Connecticut. Lyman Hall may have had the oddest path of anyone to his historic vote for independence. When he first showed up at the Continental Congress, … Continue reading

On this day in 1783, Congress declares a cessation of hostilities against Great Britain. It was just one of many steps in the long, hard road to negotiate a peace between Britain and America after the Revolution. We all hear … Continue reading

On this day in 1963, the USS Thresher sinks off the coast of Cape Cod. Sadly, a rescue ship was floating helplessly above the wreckage, listening to the sounds of the submarine breaking up below.The tragedy shocked the naval community. … Continue reading

On this day in 1782, the Battle of the Saintes begins. Did you know that the British and the French faced off in a Revolutionary War naval battle as late as April 1782?  The commander of the French fleet was … Continue reading

On this day in 1913, a hero is born. James H. Howard would go on to become an American fighter pilot during World War II. He is perhaps best known for the day on which he singlehandedly took on 30 … Continue reading