Today’s feature can be seen on the North Dakota Great Seal.  On this date in 1830, Daniel Webster said the following:  “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!”  This is something that I think we as Americans should remember during this divisive time in our nation’s history.  He spoke out in his speech (which included this quote) against […]

On this date in 1861, Colonel Robert E. Lee wrote a letter to his son, Curtis, regarding the secession crisis.  You might wonder what was so momentous about this, so please read the following: As an American citizen, I take great pride in my country, her prosperity and her institutions, and would defend any State if her rights were invaded. […]

On this date in 1806, the first child was born at the White House (although it looked different back then, and it was called the President’s House).  He was the second son of  James Madison Randolph, and Martha Jefferson Randolph.  She was visiting her father for the second time.   Like most of his brothers, his grandfather put him through the […]

Intriguing bit of history today.  On this date in 1776, General George Washington permitted African-Americans who were free and had prior military experience to join the Revolutionary War army.  I honestly didn’t know this happened, and even though slavery was abundant, it’s nice to know that African-Americans were at least a part of the Revolutionary War! For more information: http://famousdaily.com/history/george-washington-allows-enlistment-blacks.html […]

I’ll be that you might be surprised  how this building figures into today’s feature.  On this date in 1759, the first life insurance company in the U.S. was incorporated.  Presbyterian Synods of New York and Philadelphia were  the founders, and its purpose was to provide for Presbyterian widows.  Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company acquired it 1994, and in 2002, Nationwide […]

I know quite a bit about the Civil War, but this act was news to me.  On this date in 1861, the first hostile act of the Civil War occurred.  The steamship Star of the West entered Charleston Harbor, and it was fired upon immediately.  The captain had no choice but to order a retreat, and thankfully the ship survived […]

This happened the year I was born (though I was not around yet).  On this date in 1974, President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act into law.   This meant that the national maximum speed limit became 55.  Before that time, it was up to the states.  They could set the limits  from 40 to 80.  Cheap Arab […]

On this date in 1851, the very first YMCA was opened.  Boston, Massachusetts is the site of this center.  Originally, it was intended to provide a place for  British sailors who had landed in  America.  It was modeled after the very first YMCA that opened in London in 1844.  It was established as a Christian organization and emphasized things that […]

Okay, let me go on the record saying that I am not in favor of this act, and I never was.  I did attempt to sign up, but I was blessed to be able to keep my current coverage.  Otherwise, I would be paying twice as much.  But enough about that.  On this date in 2009, the Senate passed this […]

This political cartoon relates to today’s feature.  Those were the days when profanity was left out!  On this date in 1807, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act of 1807.  It prohibited trade with Europe.  There were issues with Napoleon and Britain.  We were trade partners to both countries, so President Jefferson decided this would hurt those countries more than the U.S. […]