Today’s feature might help you win a million dollars some day.   On this date in 1921, President Harding appointed former President Taft to the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.   He was approved the same day, and became the only person to serve as president and chief justice.   I had no idea this had happened. For more info: […]

It was on this date in 1862, that President Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture.  The head of this department was not a cabinet member, and he referred to it as the people’s department.  I was surprised to discover that Lincoln was doing something like this during the Civil War. For info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Agriculture http://www.nal.usda.gov/lincolns-agricultural-legacy

I guess today’s feature shows that some things never change.  On this date in 1787, the constitutional convention was scheduled to happen in Philadelphia.  But guess what!  Not everyone showed up until a week later.  The difference is that the delay was due to difficulty of travel in the 1700’s.  For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States) http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_514525.asp

On this date in 2013, the One World Trade Center in New York City became the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.  An antenna was added to the top to make it 1776 feet tall.  For more info: http://mashable.com/2013/05/10/freedom-tower/ http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/51848014 http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_the_United_States

On this date in 1788, the state of Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the U.S. constitution.  I knew this process took some time, but I had no idea that it took this long.  Then again, I am glad states took their time to make the decision. For more info: http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/f/ratification.htm http://legallegacy.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/april-28-1788-maryland-joins-the-union-as-the-seventh-state/ http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_and_in_what_order_did_Maryland_ratify_the_US_Constitution

It was on this date in 1889, that the Oklahoma Land Rush officially began.  It was precisely at noon when the settlers made a mad dash for cheap land.  There were nearly two million acres up for grabs.  There were more than 50,000 “Boomers” just waiting for their chance.  As you can imagine, there was much fraud and greed, and […]

It was on this date in 1981, that the first space shuttle Columbia landed successfully after a 2-day mission. For more info: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/first_landing.html http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia

It was on this date in 1992, that the great flood of Chicago, Illinois occurred.  I was not even aware of this fact.  Basements and other underground areas were flooded with over 250 million gallons of water from the Chicago River. Much of the downtown area had to be evacuated, and it took three days for the water to recede.   […]

I was never much of a fan of President Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, and this is proof of his inept abilities and poor character.  On this date in 1866, the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 was passed by Congress.  This was in spite of President Johnson’s veto back in March.  It had first been introduced back in January, and Johnson […]

It was on this date in 1946, that the 400,000 bituminous coal miners of the United Mine Workers of America went on strike.  It affected 26 states, and the strike continued through December.  Their demands included safer conditions, health benefits and pay. This strike came at a time when the national economy was recovering from WWII, and Truman saw this […]