A pea-sized gold nugget was unearthed at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California on January 24, 1848. Although the news did spread, Sam Brannan, a San Francisco newspaperman, is credited with starting the actual rush on May 12 when he walked …[Continue]
American Presidents
Starting with George Washington, whose term began in 1789, there have been a total of forty-three individuals sworn into office and forty-four presidencies. The discrepancy is because Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, making him both the 22nd and the …[Continue]
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
As the Civil War was winding down, President Abraham Lincoln went to the theater to watch a comedy with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. The date was April 14, 1865. A well-known stage actor, John Wilkes Booth, entered the President’s …[Continue]
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
In Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated. The President was in a presidential limo with the roof down, waving to the welcoming crowds, accompanied by his wife Jacqueline, …[Continue]
Pilgrims of Plymouth
The Pilgrims were a English Separatist congregation that emigrated to Holland in 1608 to escape religious persecution. Twelve years later, discouraged by economic conditions, the congregation voted to move again, this time to America. A small ship, the Speedwell, carried …[Continue]
Declaration of Independence
This week we travel back in American history to the time of thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch. The story of the creation of the Declaration of Independence is a dramatic one, and …[Continue]
Jamestown Settlement
In 1607, thirteen years before the Pilgrims created Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, the first permanent English colony was founded at Jamestown Settlement in Virginia. The original colonists suffered a very rocky start, however, as just three later in 1610, only …[Continue]
Veterans Day
In 1918, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, fighting ceased in World War I. Formerly known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day (November 11) is a day to honor veterans living and dead who have …[Continue]
History of Women’s Rights
Although it is easy to take women’s modern day rights for granted, women have not always had the right to vote and own property. In fact, in some countries, women are still considered to be their husband’s property, and have …[Continue]
Black History Month
In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson proposed a “Negro History Week” to honor the history and contributions of African-Americans. Nine years later, his dream became reality. Woodson chose the second week of February to pay tribute to the birthdays of …[Continue]
