This Day in History, by Tara Ross

Apr 12, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Lyman Hall, signer of the Declaration

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...

This Day in History: Brokering Peace with Britain

tara

Apr 11, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Brokering Peace with Britain

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...

tara

Apr 10, 20243 min read

The Federalist Papers: No. 78

At about this time in 1788, Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. Publius) writes Federalist Paper No. 78. His essay would appear in a bound volume...

tara

Apr 9, 20243 min read

This Day in History: USS Thresher sinks

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,...

This Day in History: The British win the Battle of the Saintes

tara

Apr 9, 20243 min read

This Day in History: The British win the Battle of the Saintes

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...

This Day in History: Major James Howard, the “One-Man Air Force”

tara

Apr 8, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Major James Howard, the “One-Man Air Force”

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...

tara

Apr 5, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Robert Smalls

On this day in 1839, an American legend is born. Robert Smalls is best known for commandeering a Confederate ship during the Civil War....

tara

Apr 4, 20243 min read

This Day in History: MLK Assassinated

On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Just one night earlier, he’d delivered a speech...

This Day in History: Walter Wetzel’s “unhesitating sacrifice”

tara

Apr 3, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Walter Wetzel’s “unhesitating sacrifice”

On this day in 1945, a United States soldier throws himself on two grenades, saving the lives of those around him. Pfc. Walter C. Wetzel...

tara

Apr 3, 20243 min read

This Day in History: The Pony Express

On this day in 1860, the Pony Express begins its first run. The long ride from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, would be...

tara

Apr 2, 20243 min read

The Federalist Papers: No. 77

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 77 is published. Publius wraps up his discussion of the executive power. It’s the last paper...

This Day in History: Richard Antrim outwits his Japanese captors

tara

Apr 1, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Richard Antrim outwits his Japanese captors

On or around this day in 1942, a Navy lieutenant intervenes to keep a Japanese guard from beating an American prisoner of war to death....

tara

Apr 1, 20242 min read

The Federalist Papers: No. 76

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 76 is published. Publius is continuing down his punch list of presidential powers. This paper...

tara

Mar 29, 20243 min read

This Day in History: The 23rd Amendment

On this day in 1961, the Twenty-third Amendment is ratified, giving Washington, D.C. votes in the Electoral College. A few years later,...

This Day in History: “America’s undersea ace of aces”

tara

Mar 26, 20243 min read

This Day in History: “America’s undersea ace of aces”

On this day in 1946, a hero receives the Medal of Honor. Richard O’Kane has been called “America’s undersea ace of aces.” He was a legend...

This Day in History: The guy who spied on Benjamin Franklin

tara

Mar 26, 20243 min read

This Day in History: The guy who spied on Benjamin Franklin

On this day in 1777, Dr. Edward Bancroft embarks on a journey to France. He plans to work as a spy! Bancroft would work directly with...

tara

Mar 26, 20243 min read

The Federalist Papers: No. 75

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 75 is published. Next up on Publius’s list of presidential powers? The treaty-making power. The...

tara

Mar 25, 20242 min read

The Federalist Papers: No. 74

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 74 is published. The ever-organized Publius is still scrolling down his punch list of...

This Day in History: Charles W. David, Jr., WWII Hero

tara

Mar 23, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Charles W. David, Jr., WWII Hero

On this day in 1943, a hero passes away. Coast Guard Mess Attendant 1/c Charles W. David Jr. had been battling pneumonia for weeks, ever...

This Day in History: Sp4c. Michael J. Fitzmaurice in Vietnam

tara

Mar 22, 20243 min read

This Day in History: Sp4c. Michael J. Fitzmaurice in Vietnam

On this day in 1971, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Sp4c. Michael J. Fitzmaurice fought in Vietnam,...

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