U.S. History (1783--99)

May 72 min read

This Day in History: George Washington’s inaugural ball

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,...

This Day in History: George Washington's Call to Service

tara

Feb 163 min read

This Day in History: George Washington's Call to Service

On this day in 1789, George Washington receives a letter from his friend Henry Knox. The two had been awaiting the outcome of our...

This Day in History: The first Supreme Court Justices

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Feb 1, 20232 min read

This Day in History: The first Supreme Court Justices

On this day in 1790, the United States Supreme Court meets for the first time. Okay, technically, it tried to meet. Three of the then-new...

This Day in History: The first President to live in Washington, D.C.

tara

Jun 3, 20223 min read

This Day in History: The first President to live in Washington, D.C.

On this day in 1800, President John Adams becomes the first President to officially take up residence in Washington, D.C. Much of the...

This Day in History: President George Washington tours the Southern states

tara

Mar 21, 20222 min read

This Day in History: President George Washington tours the Southern states

On this day in 1791, George Washington begins a 3-month tour of the Southern states. As the first President, Washington considered it...

This Day in History: "Democracy is a volcano"

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Jan 15, 20223 min read

This Day in History: "Democracy is a volcano"

On this day in 1788, Fisher Ames addresses delegates at the Massachusetts state ratifying convention. Would his state ratify the U.S....

This Day in History: George Washington bids the nation farewell (again)

tara

Sep 19, 20212 min read

This Day in History: George Washington bids the nation farewell (again)

On this day in 1796, George Washington bids the nation farewell. He was retiring from the presidency and making his last exit from public...

This Day in History: President George Washington is inaugurated

tara

Apr 30, 20213 min read

This Day in History: President George Washington is inaugurated

On this day in 1789, George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States. The inauguration occurred in New York:...

This Day in History: The Mount Vernon conference

tara

Mar 25, 20213 min read

This Day in History: The Mount Vernon conference

On this day in 1785, George Washington receives commissioners from Virginia and Maryland. The gathering came to be known as the Mount...

This Day in History: A brawl in Congress

tara

Feb 5, 20213 min read

This Day in History: A brawl in Congress

On this day in 1798, trouble brews in the United States Congress. Bitter feelings would ultimately lead to an open brawl on the floor of...

This Day in History: Congress on the move

tara

Jan 10, 20212 min read

This Day in History: Congress on the move

During this week in 1785, the Confederation Congress relocates from New Jersey to New York. Did you know that Congress changed its...

This Day in History: North Carolina ratifies the Constitution

tara

Nov 21, 20202 min read

This Day in History: North Carolina ratifies the Constitution

On this day in 1789, North Carolina becomes the 12th state to join the Union. The state was pretty late to the party. By November 1789,...

This Day in History: George Washington tours the new American nation

tara

Nov 13, 20202 min read

This Day in History: George Washington tours the new American nation

On this day in 1789, George Washington returns from his first presidential tour. Our first President thought it important to visit every...

This Day in History: George Washington chooses site for capital

tara

Jul 16, 20203 min read

This Day in History: George Washington chooses site for capital

On this day in 1790, George Washington signs a law designating an area near the Potomac River as America’s new national capital. The law...

This Day in History: The Citizen Genêt Affair

tara

May 16, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The Citizen Genêt Affair

On this day in 1793, members of George Washington’s cabinet send him memos regarding the so-called “Citizen Genêt Affair.” Have you ever...

This Day in History: A bumpy opening for the First Congress

tara

Mar 4, 20202 min read

This Day in History: A bumpy opening for the First Congress

On this day in 1789, the United States Congress meets for the first time in New York. Or, at least, it tried to. The Constitution had...

This Day in History: Things you never knew about the post office

tara

Feb 20, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Things you never knew about the post office

On this day in 1792, George Washington signs an act to establish a post office. You would not recognize the 1700s version of the United...

This Day in History: Massachusetts ratifies the Constitution

tara

Feb 6, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Massachusetts ratifies the Constitution

On this day in 1788, Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the Constitution. It was a close call, though. The state had nearly...

This Day in History: New Hampshire ratifies the Bill of Rights

tara

Jan 25, 20202 min read

This Day in History: New Hampshire ratifies the Bill of Rights

On this day in 1790, New Hampshire ratifies eleven amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments (plus one other) had...

This Day in History: Connecticut ratifies the U.S. Constitution

tara

Jan 9, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Connecticut ratifies the U.S. Constitution

On this day in 1788, Connecticut becomes the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The state had come a long way! Just one year...

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