This Day in History, by Tara Ross

Jan 21, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Folk hero Ethan Allen is born

On this day in 1738, folk hero Ethan Allen is born. He is best known for his contributions to the founding of Vermont. Nevertheless, he...

This Day in History: The First Bloodshed of the Revolution

tara

Jan 19, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The First Bloodshed of the Revolution

On this day in 1770, the Battle of Golden Hill occurs. The incident has been called “the first bloodshed of the Revolution.” Yes, you saw...

This Day in History: A tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

tara

Jan 16, 20203 min read

This Day in History: A tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

On this day in 1801, Alexander Hamilton writes a scathing letter about then-presidential candidate Aaron Burr. “[G]reat Ambition...

This Day in History: The Democratic Party, the donkey, & the Father of the Political Cartoon

tara

Jan 15, 20202 min read

This Day in History: The Democratic Party, the donkey, & the Father of the Political Cartoon

On this day in 1870, a popular cartoonist publishes an image that would ultimately connect the Democratic Party with the donkey. Have you...

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...

This Day in History: George Washington’s State of the Union

tara

Jan 8, 20202 min read

This Day in History: George Washington’s State of the Union

On this day in 1790, George Washington delivers the very first State of the Union address. Did you know that Presidents are...

This Day in History: America's first presidential election

tara

Jan 7, 20203 min read

This Day in History: America's first presidential election

On this day in 1789, the first presidential electors are selected. Just a few weeks later, the Electoral College would elect George...

This Day in History: Thomas Nelson, Jr., Signer of the Declaration

tara

Jan 4, 20203 min read

This Day in History: Thomas Nelson, Jr., Signer of the Declaration

On this day in 1789, a signer of the Declaration of Independence passes away. Thomas Nelson, Jr. was a prominent Virginian during his...

This Day in History: The Battle of the Bulge & Sgt. Charles MacGillivary’s Medal of Honor

tara

Jan 1, 20203 min read

This Day in History: The Battle of the Bulge & Sgt. Charles MacGillivary’s Medal of Honor

On this New Years’ Day in 1945, Americans fight the Battle of the Bulge in freezing temperatures. Would you believe the cold saved at...

This Day in History: The British capture of Savannah

tara

Dec 28, 20193 min read

This Day in History: The British capture of Savannah

On this day in 1778, British forces begin landing at Girardeau’s Plantation, in Georgia. They would capture Savannah from Americans the...

This Day in History: The “Father of Texas” passes away

tara

Dec 27, 20193 min read

This Day in History: The “Father of Texas” passes away

On this day in 1836, the “Father of Texas,” Stephen F. Austin, passes away. Mere months earlier he had written that the “prosperity of...

This Day in History: What happened after the British surrender—and before an official peace treaty?

tara

Nov 30, 20193 min read

This Day in History: What happened after the British surrender—and before an official peace treaty?

On this day in 1782, a preliminary peace treaty is signed by British and American representatives. It had been more than a year since...

This Day in History: Anne “Mad Anne” Trotter Bailey passes away

tara

Nov 22, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Anne “Mad Anne” Trotter Bailey passes away

On this day in 1825, Anne “Mad Anne” Trotter Bailey passes away in Ohio. She has been called the Heroine of the Kanawha Valley. Not a lot...

This Day in History: Operation Ivory Coast tries (and fails) to rescue Vietnam POWs

tara

Nov 21, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Operation Ivory Coast tries (and fails) to rescue Vietnam POWs

On this day in 1970, the United States tries—and fails—to rescue POWs being held near Hanoi, Vietnam. What a disappointment! Preparations...

This Day in History: Eddie Rickenbacker rescued from the ocean

tara

Nov 13, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Eddie Rickenbacker rescued from the ocean

On this day in 1942, a Medal of Honor recipient is rescued. He’d spent more than 20 days floating on a life raft in the Pacific Ocean....

This Day in History: Ellis Island releases its last immigrant

tara

Nov 12, 20192 min read

This Day in History: Ellis Island releases its last immigrant

On this day in 1954, Ellis Island releases its last immigrant. The island’s immigration center had been in operation since 1892. Did you...

This Day in History: The Contentious Election of 1876

tara

Nov 7, 20193 min read

This Day in History: The Contentious Election of 1876

At about this time in 1876, the presidential election of 1876 was supposed to be decided. Except it wasn’t. Instead, disputes over the...

This Day in History: Howard Hughes’s “Spruce Goose” flies

tara

Nov 2, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Howard Hughes’s “Spruce Goose” flies

On this day in 1947, the “Spruce Goose” flies for the first and only time. With a wingspan of 320 feet, it was the largest airplane to...

This Day in History: Ernest Evans, the Battle off Samar, & his “fighting ship”

tara

Oct 25, 20193 min read

This Day in History: Ernest Evans, the Battle off Samar, & his “fighting ship”

On this day in 1944, a United States Navy officer makes the ultimate sacrifice in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor....

This Day in History: James H. Monroe’s bravery in Vietnam

tara

Oct 17, 20192 min read

This Day in History: James H. Monroe’s bravery in Vietnam

On this day in 1944, a future Medal of Honor recipient is born. Exactly 24 years later, James H. Monroe was awarded the Medal on what...

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