There does appear to be some discrepancy, but the most reliable sites seem to say that on this date in 1753, the first hospital in the U.S. (Pennsylvania Hospital) began admitting patients. Dr. Thomas Bond was committed to this relatively new idea, and he asked his friend, Benjamin Franklin, to open a hospital in Philadelphia.  He worked very hard to […]

On this date in 1690, the first paper currency was issued in the U. S. —specifically, it was the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  This promissory note stated that when the war ended, the bearer of the note would be able to trade it for two shillings from the British treasury.  They were called bills of credit. For more info: http://www.numismatics.org/Exhibits/FunnyMoney7a http://legacy.stacks.com/Lot/ItemDetail/56824 […]

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 […]

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 view is much different from what the Pilgrims of old would have seen, but it is the general area.  Although there is some disagreement about the dates, it  would appear that on this date in 1620, the Pilgrims got their first look at Cape Cod from the  Mayflower. For more info: http://famousdaily.com/history/pilgrims-mayflower-sight-land-cape-cod.html http://guardianlv.com/2013/11/mayflower-carried-pilgrims-to-cape-cod-not-original-destination/ http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/sbostonsights/a/aaplgrmmonument.htm http://www.nps.gov/caco/historyculture/pilgrims.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower Mayflower Sighted in […]

This was news to me.  On this date in 1947, Walt Disney appeared before the House committee on Un-American Activities to help flush out communism.  He was willing to coöperate, and he even named some names.  I had never heard this.  I cannot stand this part of Hollywood history–it was disgraceful.  Here’s hoping nothing like this ever happens again. For […]

This was an auspicious day in our country’s history.  On this date in 2006, the census bureau estimated that the U.S. population reached 300 million .  It was only back in 1967, that the population reached 200 million.  It is projected that the population will reach 400 million by 2043.  This truly boggles my mind when I stop and think […]