Sep 01
Did Colonial Era Americans really imbibe from breakfast till bedtime?
While we think of the Founding Fathers and Founding Mothers as prim and proper, the truth may be that our Colonial ancestors "swam in a sea of booze from breakfast till bedtime," according to Serious Eats. "Whether they were working, writing, selling...
Sep 01
Was Aaron Burr acquitted of charges of plotting to set up an empire?
September 1, 1807 — Aaron Burr was acquitted today of charges of plotting to set up an empire. A Founding Father — and the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a famous duel three years earlier — Burr had stepped down from the vice presidency after...
Sep 02
Who established the US Treasury Department today?
September 2, 1789 — The First Congress of the United States was called to convene in New York on March 4, 1789, marking the beginning of government under the Constitution. But it wasn't until six months later — on Sept. 2, 1789 — that...
Sep 03
Which New York newspaper began publishing today?
September 3, 1833 — The nation's first newspaper — the New York Sun — began publishing today. It was the first general-interest broadsheet, and published until 1950. Considered a serious paper — like the city's two more successful broadsheets, The New York Times and the New...
Sep 04
Which California city was founded today in 1781?
September 4, 1781 — Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish speaking mestizos in the Bahia de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes). Felipe de Neve, Governor of Spanish California, names the settlement El Pueblo Sobre el Rio de Nuestra Señora la Reina de...
Sep 05
Where did the first Opium War begin today in 1839?
September 5, 1839 — The First Opium War began in China today, and lasted until 1842. Also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, the battle was fought between Great Britain and Ireland and the Qing Empire over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice...
Sep 06
Which collegiate institute went co-ed today in 1837?
September 6, 1837 — Oberlin Collegiate Institute of Ohio went co-ed today in 1837 with 4 women and 30 men. Oberlin College pioneered "the joint education of the sexes," enrolling women students beside men from its opening in 1833. As Philo P....
Sep 07
What is the origin of the nickname, “Uncle Sam”?
September 7, 1813 — Today, the United States got its nickname, "Uncle Sam." Credit goes to a meat-packer from Troy, New York, named Samuel Wilson, who supplied barrels of beef to the US Army during the War of 1812, stamping the barrels with “U.S.” for United States. But...
Sep 08
What is the significance of the Mission San Gabriel Archangel?
September 8, 1771 — Mission San Gabriel Archangel was formed today in San Gabriel, California. A fully functioning Roman Catholic mission, the settlement was founded by Spaniards of the Franciscan order on what is known as the Feast of the Birth of...
Sep 09
Who is the first US aeronaut to fly a balloon?
September 9, 1830 — Charles Durant is the first US aeronaut to fly a balloon. He flew about 25 miles — off from Castle Garden in New York City and landed in Perth Amboy, New Jersey — in three hours. Durant dressed up...
Sep 10
Who received the first US patent for a sewing machine?
September 10, 1846 — American inventor Elias Howe, Jr. (July 9, 1819 – October 3, 1867) today received U.S. Patent 4,750 for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design. Contrary to popular belief, Howe was not the first to conceive of the idea of a sewing machine....
Sep 11
What was the goal of the Staten Island Peace Conference?
September 11, 1773 — Today's Staten Island Peace Conference was a brief meeting held in the hope of bringing an end to the American Revolutionary War. Held at Billop Manor, the residence of Colonel Christopher Billop, participants included British Admiral Lord Richard Howe, and members of the Second Continental Congress —...
Sep 12
What didn’t George Mason sign the Bill of Rights?
September 12, 1787 — In early 1776, before the Declaration of Independence was written, American statesman George Mason drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and framed Virginia’s constitution. He was rightfully proud of the Declaration, and pleased that it became a model for other states. But when...
Sep 13
Who suffered the first boxing fatality in the US?
September 13, 1842 — Today, in Hastings, New York, a prize fight between Christopher Lilly and Thomas McCoy lasted 2.41 hours. In the 77th round, McCoy collapsed and died in front of 2,000 fans. According to news sources, the coroner's investigation of McCoy's remains showed...
Sep 14
Can you name the poem that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner?
September 14, 1814 — Francis Scott Key was today inspired to write the poem, "Defence of Fort M'Henry." Those words later become lyrics of "Star-Spangled Banner." While at Fort McHenry, the entrance of the harbor of Baltimore, Key witnessed the bombardment...
Sep 15
What adventure did Charles Darwin embark on today in 1835?
September 15, 1835 — Charles Darwin and the H.M.S. Beagl reached the Galapagos Islands today. His five-year voyage is legendary, as insights gained on his trip to exotic places greatly influenced his masterwork, Origin of Species. Of course, Darwin didn’t actually formulate his...
Sep 16
Who published “Old Ironsides” today in 1830?
September 16, 1830 — Oliver Wendell Holmes writes "Old Ironsides" today, a poem that is a tribute to the 18th century frigate USS Constitution. Thanks in part to the poem, the boat was saved from being decommissioned, and is now the oldest commissioned ship...
Sep 17
Who helped Harriet Tubman escape from slavery today?
September 17, 1849 — Harriet Tubman escaped slavery today in Maryland, thanks to the help of two of her brothers, Ben and Henry. Tubman had been hired out to Dr. Anthony Thompson, who owned a large plantation in an area called Poplar...
Sep 17
Why is Americans’ Knowledge of the Branches of Government Declining?
September 17, 2016 — Today marks the 229th birthday of the U.S. Constitution. In honor of the day, The Annenberg Public Policy Center conducted a survey to test the public’s knowledge of basic civics. One of the questions asked respondents to name the three branches...
Sep 18
Who wrote the first love letter — Robert Browning or Elizabeth Barrett?
September 18, 1846 — Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning exchange last letters today before eloping. Browning, a respected working poet for many years before her courtship and marriage to Browning, their secret romance and controversial elopement and fairytale ending of a happy marriage is legendary....
Sep 19
What did George Washington say today in his farewell address as president?
September 19, 1796 — George Washington gave his farewell address as president today. Historians consider it a classic statement of republicanism, for it warned Americans of the political dangers they can and must avoid if they are to remain true to their values....
Sep 20
What did 87 members of the American scientific community establish today?
September 20, 1848 — The American Association for the Advancement of Science was created at noon today in 1848. Eighty-seven of the most distinguished members of the former Association of American Geologists and Naturalists convened, and elected as their president William Redfield of...
Sep 21
Who volunteered to for a dangerous mission today at the request of George Washington?
September 21, 1776 — Today, Nathan Hale of the 19th Regiment of the Continental Army General volunteers for he dangerous mission at the request of George Washington, who needed a volunteer to gather intelligence behind enemy lines before the coming Battle of...
Sep 22
What famous announcement did President Lincoln issue today?
September 22, 1862 — President Lincoln announced today that he will free slaves in all states on January 1, 1863. This preliminary proclamation led to the official Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves residing in territory in rebellion against the federal government. However, the...
Sep 23
Where did explorers Lewis & Clark land today?
September 23, 1806 — Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned today to St. Louis, MO from their trek to the Pacific Northwest. They brought back a wealth of information about the largely unexplored region, as well as US claims to Oregon Territory. The...
Sep 24
What did the US Federal Judiciary Act accomplish?
September 24, 1789 — President George Washington signed the US Federal Judiciary Act today, creating a six-person Supreme Court. "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time...
Sep 25
What did French Physicist Francois Arago discover today in 1820?
September 25, 1820 — French Physicist Francois Arago (Feb. 26, 1786, Estagel, Roussillon, France—died Oct. 2, 1853, Paris) discovered the principle of the production of magnetism by rotation of a nonmagnetic conductor. He also devised an experiment that proved the wave theory of lightand engaged with others in...
Sep 26
Who won the second British Golf Open in 1861?
September 26, 1861 — The second British Golf Open is held today, and golfer Thomas Mitchell Morris, Sr. (16 June 1821 – 24 May 1908) shoots a 163 at the Prestwick Club. Otherwise known as Old Tom Morris, the Scottish golfer was born...
Sep 27
Who deciphered the Rosetta stone today in 1822?
September 27, 1822 — Jean-François Champollion (23 December 1790 – 4 March 1832) announced today that he has deciphered the Rosetta stone, a decree issued at Memphis, Egypt, in 196 BC on behalf of King Ptolemy V. The decree appears in three scripts:...
Sep 28
What is considered the most important battle of the Revolutionary War?
September 28, 1781 — About 9,000 American forces and 7,000 French forces begin the Battle of Yorktown against British Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis and a contingent of 9,000 British troops. Historians consider this the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. Washington...
Sep 29
Who established London’s Metropolitan Police today in 1829?
September 29, 1829 — British Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel established the London's Metropolitan Police today, hence the nicknames "bobbies" and "peelers." The police force replaced the old system of watchmen and eventually supplanted the River (Thames) Police and the Bow Street patrols, the latter...
Sep 30
How many black soldiers are given US Medal of Honor today?
September 30, 1864 — Black soldiers are given US Medal of Honor today, which was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Recipients must have distinguished themselves at the...
