Loading

American History Blog

The American History Blog is the mini-journal for American History Fun Facts website. A blog for American history buffs, where you can learn USA fun facts and fun trivia facts about American history here!

American History Fun Facts Blog will...

  • Let you know whenever any new Web pages appear on American History Fun Facts
  • Update you when pages are revised or additions are made to pages at American History Fun Facts
  • Keep you up-to-date with other postings or news about American History Fun Facts
  • Give you some American History Fun Facts of the Day
  • Points out some of our past postings that you might otherwise miss.

Subscribe to American History Fun Facts Blog

Become a Part of this Blog

American History Fun Facts Blog on Kindle


Embed RSS


May 25, 2012

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields - A Memorial Day poem to remember our military heroes.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "In Flanders Fields"


May 25, 2012

Memorial Day

On May 30, 1868, flowers were placed on the graves of Civil War soldiers on the first official Memorial Day celebration at Arlington National Cemetery. But the holiday did not become a federal holiday until 1971. Until then, it was observed on different days in different states.

Buy at Art.com
In Flanders Fields
Robert William Vonnoh

Red Poppies are the recognized flower for Memorial Day. This tradition started in 1915, when Moina Michale read the poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

To read another beautiful Memorial day poem - "Come Up From the Fields, Father" - and to discover more trivia about Memorial day, click here. You'll also find a few Memorial day quotes there!


May 20, 2012

"Birth of an American Tradition" - The 150th anniversary of Taps - June 22-24, 2012

“Birth of an American Tradition” - The 150th anniversary commemoration of Taps at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia. This three-day event

Permalink -- click for full blog post ""Birth of an American Tradition" - The 150th anniversary of Taps - June 22-24, 2012 "


May 19, 2012

Armed Forces Day

Today is Armed Forces Day, a day to celebrate and honor all past and present members of the U.S. military.

On August 31, 1949, Armed Forces Day was announced by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson. The day was meant to replace the separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The day originally came to be due to all of the Armed Forces being combined under the Department of Defense.

The first official Armed Forces Day was held on May 20, 1950. President Harry Truman gave a Presidential Proclamation announcing it on February 27, 1950. The theme of the first AFD was "Teamed for Defense".

Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. Thank you to all military personnel - past, present and future! I'll leave you with this quote...

"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid." - Dwight D. Eisenhower


May 16, 2012

A Memorial Day Poem

Today we honor all of you, Who served your country with pride, You risked your life for all of us, As you fought side by side. Your strength and courage

Permalink -- click for full blog post "A Memorial Day Poem"


May 13, 2012

American History Collectibles

American History collectibles on ebay. Find collectibles and memorabilia from various periods in United States history.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "American History Collectibles"


May 12, 2012

Teddy Roosevelt - 1st President to Star in Moving Picture

Today in American history, May 12, 1903: President Theodore Roosevelt, while on an official trip to San Francisco, was captured on moving picture film. He was the first president to have an official activity filmed. It was not the last time he was filmed - Roosevelt loved playing to the cameras and was filmed often during the rest of his life.

The short film was made while Roosevelt was riding in a parade, while being escorted by the all black Ninth U.S. Cavalry Regiment. The film was titled "The President's Carriage", and was shown in nickelodeons across the country.


May 11, 2012

Charles Warren Fairbanks - May 11, 1852 - June 4, 1918

Who was Charles Warren Fairbanks? Born on this day in history, May 11, 1852, Fairbanks was the 26nd Vice President of the United States under Theodore Roosevelt (1905-1908).

Charles Warren Fairbanks, 26th Vice President of the U.S.

Born in Union County, Ohio, he became a lawyer and newspaperman, in addition to getting into politics. In 1893, he purchased the Indianapolis News with his uncle and a group of investors. He was elected U.S. Senator (Republican) in 1896, where he served until 1905.

While serving on a Senate committee, Fairbanks was involved in trying to establish the U.S. - Canadian border. It was during this time that he said "I am opposed to the yielding of an inch of United States territory." This quote, and his work on the committee, endeared him to some of the people in Alaska. They showed their gratitude by naming Fairbanks, Alaska after him.

When President McKinley was assassinated, Teddy Roosevelt assumed the office. When Roosevelt ran for re-election in 1904, he chose Charles Fairbanks as his vice president. Apparently, they didn't like each other very much. Fairbanks was more conservative than Roosevelt, and Fairbanks wasn't shy about speaking out about their differences.

Fairbanks made an unsuccessful run for the Republican nominee for president in 1916, and then joined Charles E. Hughes as his vice presidential candidate. They lost to incumbent Woodrow Wilson and his vice president, Thomas Marshall.

Charles Warren Fairbanks died in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 4, 1918.


May 9, 2012

Belle Boyd - Confederate Spy

Buy at Art.com
Belle Boyd
Mathew Brady

Maria Isabella ("Belle") Boyd was born on this day in 1844 in Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). She became a notorious Confederate spy during the Civil War, after she shot a drunken Union soldier when she was only 17. According to young Belle, the soldier had "addressed my mother and myself in language as offensive as it is possible to conceive. I could stand it no longer...we ladies were obliged to go armed in order to protect ourselves as best we might from insult and outrage."

Some of Belle's nicknames at the time were "La Belle Rebelle", "the Siren of the Shenandoah", "the Rebel Joan of Arc" and "Amazon of Secessia". She once ran onto a battlefield with late breaking information that she needed to get to Major General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. She gathered her information by flirting with Union soldiers and by eavesdropping.

After the battle at Front Royal, where Belle had run onto the battlefield, she received this note from Jackson...

"I thank you, for myself and for the Army, for the immense service that you have rendered your country today.

Hastily, I am your friend,T.J. Jackson, C.S.A."

For further reading about this fascinating woman, you might enjoy these books...

Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison: (Volumes I & II)by Belle Boyd - (Said to be exaggerated)

Stealing Secrets: How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War


May 8, 2012

V-E Day - May 8, 1945

Buy at Art.com
Kissing the War Goodbye, Times Square, May 8th, 1945
Alfred Eisenstaedt

On this day in American history, May 8, 1945, President Harry S Truman announced that German forces had surrendered. "Victory in Europe" celebrations spontaneously erupted all over America and Europe.

Below is a video recapping D-Day to V-E Day that you might enjoy watching...


May 4, 2012

Naper Settlement Civil War Days, May 19 & 20 2012, Naperville, IL

Naper Settlement Civil War Days May 19 & 20 2012 Naperville, IL Saturday, May 19, 2012: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Sunday, May 20, 2012: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Ticket

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Naper Settlement Civil War Days, May 19 & 20 2012, Naperville, IL"


Apr 30, 2012

George Washington Inaugurated - April 30, 1789

On April 30, 1789, the U.S. inaugurated its first president, George Washington. In early April, Washington had been elected unanimously with 69 electoral votes.

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart

On the day of the inauguration, Robert R. Livingston, who was the Chancellor of New York, administered the oath to George Washington at Federal Hall in New York City. Washington was sworn in on the second floor balcony. A huge crowd had gathered outside to watch.

After the oath was given, Washington then went inside to the Senate Chamber and gave his inaugural address there. According to eyewitness accounts, the new president was nervous and agitated.

After the speech, Congress and President Washington went to St. Paul's Church for a service.

You can read the text of George Washington's first inaugural speech at archives.gov. You can also view a copy of his original speech there.

For fun facts about our first president, visit our George Washington Facts page! We also have a page with several pictures of Washington.


Apr 28, 2012

Happy Birthday James Monroe!

President James Monroe, the 5th President of the United States, was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Monroe was the first U.S. President to ride in a steamboat. Robert Fulton had invented the steamboat in 1803.

President Monroe was also the first U.S. Senator to be elected president. He also served as Governor of Virginia (1799-1802 and 1811). He became Secretary of State (1811) and then Secretary of War (1814).

Happy birthday, President James Monroe!

Visit our "List of Presidents and Nicknames" to find out what Monroe's nicknames were!


Apr 27, 2012

American History Fun Facts ezine

Fun Facts ezine - Today in American history and fun facts delivered to your inbox each day!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "American History Fun Facts ezine"


Apr 19, 2012

The Shot Heard Round the World

Today in 1775, the "shot heard round the world" was fired at Lexington. The war for independence had begun!

The first shot was fired around dawn, and the American Revolutionary War officially began at Lexington. At the end of the brief battle, 8 Patriots were killed, 10 wounded and only one British soldier was wounded. It is not known who fired that first shot.


Apr 18, 2012

The Regulars are coming out!

On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere and William Dawes rode out to warn patriots about the British forces heading their way. Did you know that Paul Revere didn't say "The British are coming"? In 1775, most colonists still considered themselves British citizens. The warning that Revere actually said was "The Regulars are coming out!".

Buy at Art.com
Paul Revere

Revere had pre-arranged to have one lantern hung in the Christ Church bell tower if the "regulars" were approaching by land, and two lanterns if they were coming by sea. Two lanterns were hung that night.

Paul Revere reached Lexington around midnight. After Revere, Dawes and another rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott, arrived in Lexington, they continued to Concord where they were arrested by British troops. William Dawes and Samuel Prescott escaped, and Paul Revere was eventually released.

Early the next morning, the "shot heard round the world" officially started the American Revolutionary War.

Read the famous "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" poem

Click here to learn more about the actual ride.


Apr 17, 2012

Tax Quotes for Tax Day

If you are one of those people (like me), who wait until the last minute to file your taxes, you might need a little break today! Why not take a break and read some great tax quotes from American history?

Taxes have been a sore spot for Americans since before the American revolution. They were what spurred the founding fathers to declare independence, they were the catalyst for the Boston tea party. There have been many great (and funny) tax quotes throughout our history.

To read some tax quotes from history, visit our "Tax Quotes" page.


Apr 16, 2012

Patriots Day

Patriots Day is a state holiday that is observed in Massachusetts and Maine, on the third Monday in April. The holiday commemorates that first shots fired at Lexington on the morning of April 19, 1775.

Each year, re-enactment battles are performed at Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts, as well as other locations in Massachusetts and Maine.

To read more about this holiday, visit our Patriots Day page!

Buy at Art.com
Lexington Minutemen Reenactors March at Yorktown Battlefield, Virginia


Apr 8, 2012

Jigsaw Puzzle Store - Find some great history jigsaw puzzles to buy here!

Jigsaw Puzzle Store - Find some great history jigsaw puzzles to buy here!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Jigsaw Puzzle Store - Find some great history jigsaw puzzles to buy here!"


Apr 6, 2012

Declaration of Independence Text, Purpose of the Declaration of Independence, History and Fun Facts

Read the Declaration of Independence Text, learn about the history and who the signers were.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Declaration of Independence Text, Purpose of the Declaration of Independence, History and Fun Facts"


Apr 4, 2012

John Adams Facts about founding father and 2nd President John Adams

A brief John Adams biography and some fun John Adams facts

Permalink -- click for full blog post "John Adams Facts about founding father and 2nd President John Adams"


Mar 30, 2012

Tax Quotes from American History

Tax quotes from American history. Taxes... love 'em or hate them, there have been many humorous and serious quotes about them!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Tax Quotes from American History"


Mar 30, 2012

The Alaska Purchase and Sewards Folly

The Alaska Purchase from Russia - Was it really Sewards Folly?

Permalink -- click for full blog post "The Alaska Purchase and Sewards Folly"


Mar 27, 2012

God Bless America Lyrics

God Bless America Lyrics - Learn the beautiful lyrics to this patriotic song, and hear Kate Smith sing it!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "God Bless America Lyrics"


Mar 27, 2012

God Save the Flag - A patriotic poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes

God Save the Flag - A patriotic poem about the American flag, by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Permalink -- click for full blog post "God Save the Flag - A patriotic poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes"


Mar 26, 2012

Declaration of Independence Signers

The Declaration of Independence signers - who were the men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Declaration of Independence Signers"


Mar 22, 2012

Stephen Decatur - U.S. Naval Hero

Today in history - March 22, 1820 - Stephen Decatur, one of the greatest U.S. Naval heroes in American history died in Washington, D.C.

Buy at Art.com
Stephen Decatur American ...

Stephen Decatur was a hero of the Barbary Wars. During the War with Tripoli, Decatur led an expedition to destroy the U.S. Philadelphia, which had run aground off the coast of Tripoli and been captured by the Tripolitan forces.

Fearing that the ship would be used by the enemy as a model to build their own ships, Decatur led a mission to destroy her. On February 16, 1804, Decatur and his men boarded the ship, disguised as Maltese sailors, and set fire to the U.S. Philadelphia. The Americans were successful in their attempt, and not one man was lost during the mission. Decatur was praised as having led what was called "the most bold and daring act of the age".

In 1807, Decatur sat in on the court-martial of Naval Commodore James Barron, who had been accused of not preparing and protecting his ship, the Chesapeake, from British attack. Barron was suspended from the Navy for five years. Decatur had previously served under Barron, and in fact, Barron was once a mentor to Decatur, but tensions between the two had grown in the years since they served together. Their parting of ways began when Barron embarrassed Decatur about relationships he was having with two women, and their friendship was greatly strained.

Decatur went on to capture the British ship of war, Macedonian, during the War of 1812, and led forces in the Algerian War in 1815. He returned to Washington, D.C. in 1816, when he was appointed to the Navy Board of Commissioners.

In 1818, Stephen Decatur strongly opposed James Barron's reinstatement to the Navy, and in 1820, Barron challenged Decatur to a duel. On March 22, they met at Bladensburg in Maryland for their duel. Both men fired their shots and hit their targets, but Decatur was mortally wounded. Barron recovered from his wounds and was reinstated into the Navy (at a lower rank) in 1821.

Sources: History.com and foundersofamerica.org


Mar 18, 2012

Grover Cleveland's Birthday - March 18, 1837

Grover Cleveland was born on this day in 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey. He became our 22nd President of the U.S. in 1885, and served for one term. In 1889, Benjamin Harrison became the 23rd President, but he also only served for one term. Cleveland was elected again in 1893, becoming the 24th President! With that, he became the only U.S. president to leave the presidency and return for a second term later.

Cleveland was also the only president to be married inside the White House. In 1886, he married Frances Folsom, who was only twenty-one years old (he was 49).

Some of Cleveland's nicknames were Grover the Good, Old Grover, The Elephantine Economist

Read more: List of US Presidents and Presidential Nicknames - United States Presidents http://www.american-history-fun-facts.com/list-of-us-presidents.html


Mar 17, 2012

First St. Patrick's Day Parade Ever

Did you know that the very first St. Patrick's day parade was held in New York City? Not Ireland, but here in the good ol' USA!

That first parade was held in 1762. It was started by Irish soldiers who were serving in the British army. Today the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the largest parade in the world.

(sources: nyc-st-patrick-day-parade.org and history.com)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here are a couple of old postcard images for this Irish and American "shared" holiday!

Buy at Art.com
St. Patrick's Day with Uncle Sam

Buy at Art.com
St. Patrick's Day, American and Irish...


Mar 12, 2012

Remember the ladies...

On March 12th, 1776, a public notice appeared in Baltimore, Maryland newspapers. This notice urged recognition of women's contributions to the American Revolution. The notice read, in part...

"The necessity of taking all imaginable care of those who may happen to be wounded in the country's cause, urges us to address our humane ladies, to lend us their kind assistance in furnishing us with linen rags and old sheeting, for bandages."

John Adams was one of the men who supported a boycott on British fabrics during this time. This meant much more work for women. Without the imported cloth, they had to make homespun fabric for their clothes . His wife, Abigail, wrote this to him in her letter to him on March 31, 1776...

"Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands." - Abigail Adams

Source: History.com

To read more quotes from famous women in American history, click the link below.

Abigail Adams

Famous Quotes by Women


Mar 11, 2012

John Adams Quotes

John Adams

I just posted a full page of John Adams Quotes, separated by topic. In researching for this page, I found so many great quotes about democracy, freedom, government and even family. I hope you enjoy reading them too!

John Adams Quotes


Mar 10, 2012

Thomas Jefferson's Education

Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale

Thomas Jefferson's began his education at a young age, beginning with tutors at home. He studied English, Latin, French and Greek.

On March 25, 1760, he enrolled in the College of William and Mary at the age of sixteen. He enrolled in the philosophy school there, and studied physics, metaphysics, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and ethics.

In 1762, Jefferson graduated from William and Mary with the highest honors. He then went on to study law under George Wythe, who became his close friend.

Read more about Thomas Jefferson by clicking the link below...

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Thomas Jefferson's Education"


Feb 22, 2012

Happy Birthday President George Washington!

Today is George Washington's birthday. He was born on February 22, 1732. Or was he?

When Washington was born, the British still used the Julian calendar. Under that calendar, George Washington was born on February 11, 1731. In 1752, the Gregorian calendar was adopted, and this moved Washington's birthday to February 22, 1732.

I'm sure glad we don't adopt different calendars nowadays. Can you imagine how confusing it would be to have your birthday changed? Not only the day, but the year!

Visit our George Washington shop on Amazon to see a variety of Washington items.

Click for more info


Feb 21, 2012

History games can make learning fun! History video games, history trivia and history games for kids.

History games can make learning fun! History video games, history trivia and history games for kids.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "History games can make learning fun! History video games, history trivia and history games for kids."


Feb 20, 2012

Washington's Birthday or President's Day?

Today is the official federal holiday known as Washington's Birthday, but to many it's known as President's Day.

George Washington's birthday used to rival Independence Day in popularity. During his term, and afterwards, Washington's birthday was a huge celebration.

In 1832, on the 100th anniversary of George Washington's birthday, Congress adjourned to commemorate it.

On the 130th Anniversary of Washington's birth, Congress read Washington's Farewell Address out loud. This eventually became a tradition.

Washington's birthday became a legal holiday on January 31, 1879. At that time, Congress declared February 22nd as a holiday for federal employees in Washington, D.C. Some employees were paid for it, some were not.

This holiday became an official paid Federal holiday everywhere (not just D.C.) in 1885. The bill establishing this federal holiday was signed by President Chester A. Arthur.

In 1968, Congress passed a law changing several holidays so that they fell on a Monday, creating more three day weekends. Washington's birthday was moved to the third Monday in February.

In 1971, Washington's Birthday holiday moved to the third Monday in February, as the 1968 bill went in to effect. Even though some states still celebrate both Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, others celebrate Washington's birthday as President's day instead.

This holiday is still officially known as Washington's birthday, even though many people began to call it President's Day, and changed it to honor not only Washington, but the other February president's birthday - Abraham Lincoln. In addition, it was further expanded to include all U.S. presidents.

Read some fun facts about George Washington by clicking the link below...

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Washington's Birthday or President's Day?"


Feb 18, 2012

Zurich Donates FDR Desk in Honor of 100-Year Anniversary

This President’s Day, Zurich, a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in North America and globally, will recognize and celebrate the little-known

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Zurich Donates FDR Desk in Honor of 100-Year Anniversary"


Feb 14, 2012

Today in American History - February 14th

I won't be posting "Today in History" blurbs on this blog anymore, as I am now sending them out exclusively via e-mail. I will occasionally highlight special items that happened in history on this blog, but if you want to continue to read "Today in American History", please subscribe to our newsletter by clicking the link below.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Today I'm posting Jackie Kennedy's White House tour documentary that aired on February 14, 1962. This documentary showcases some of the work that had recently been done to the White House, along with some of its history.


Feb 12, 2012

Today in American History - February 12th

1733: Savannah, Georgia was founded by English colonists.

1789: American patriot Ethan Allen died at the age of 52, after suffering a stroke.

1793: The first fugitive slave law passed in Congress.

1809: Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky.

Abraham Lincoln Picture Framed print

1828: Confederate General Robert Ransom Jr. was born in North Carolina.

1915: The cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial was laid in Washington, D.C.

1999: President Clinton was acquitted of perjury and obstruction of justice charges by the U.S. Senate.



Feb 11, 2012

Today in American History - February 11th

1776: Sir James Wright, the Royal Governor of Georgia, escaped from being held under house arrest by the Patriots in Savannah. He returned to London aboard the HMS Scarborough.

1847: Thomas Edison was born in Ohio.

Abraham Lincoln Print print
Abraham Lincoln Print by American History Fun Facts

1861: President-elect Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois for Washington, D.C. Lincoln gave this speech at the Great Western Depot in Springfield, before beginning his journey aboard a two car private train.

"My friends - No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

1937: The first union contract for autoworkers was signed in Flint, MI., after a six week sit-down strike by General Motors autoworkers.

1945: President Franklin D. Roosevelt left Yalta, after meeting in secret with Jospeh Stalin and Sir Winston Churchill for a week in what is called the Yalta Conference.


Feb 10, 2012

Today in American History - February 10th

1779: The Battle of Carr's Fort in Georgia took place during the American revolution.

1846: Brigham Young began leading Mormon followers to Utah.

1861: Jefferson Davis found out that he had been selected as president of the Confederate States of America.

1899: Future president Herbert Hoover married Lou Henry in California.

1957: Beloved author of the "Little House" books, Laura Ingalls Wilder, died in Mansfield, Missouri. She was 90 years old.

1967: The 25th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. This amendment dealt with the succession of the president in the event of resignation, death or disability.



Feb 9, 2012

Patriotic Poems from American History

Patriotic Poems from American History. Paul Revere's Midnight Ride, The New Colossus - the Statue of Liberty poem and more!

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Patriotic Poems from American History"


Feb 9, 2012

Today in American History - February 9th

1773: William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the U.S., was born in Virginia.
1776:Joseph Bloomfield, future Governor of New Jersey, was promoted to the rank of Captain of the third New Jersey Regiment of Foot in the Continental Army.
1825: The United States House of Representatives voted to elect John Quincy Adams as the 6th President of the U.S. No candidate had received the majority of electoral votes needed, so the vote went to the House of Representatives for decision.
Fun Fact: Adams actually received fewer votes than his opponent, Andrew Jackson, in the election. Jackson had 99 electoral and 153,544 popular votes and Adams received 84 electoral and 108,740 popular votes.
Here is a fun video from Disney about the 1824 election...


1864: Union General George Custer married Elizabeth Bacon in Michigan
1950: Joe McCarthy announced he had a list of205 communists that he said had infiltrated the United States State Department.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Today in American History - February 9th"


Feb 8, 2012

Civil War Era Recipes

My new ebook - "Civil War Era Recipes" is now available exclusively on Amazon Kindle!

I've added this book to the Kindle Lending Library, so if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can read it for free!

This book was compiled from cookbooks from the Civil War era. I didn't revise them in any way, because I think that one of the fun things about old recipes is the grammar, ingredients, spelling, etc. They can be so much fun to read!

I included a few bizarre recipes from the era, but also many that sound really good.

Click for more info


Feb 8, 2012

Today in American History - February 8th

1777: Timothy Bigelow was named colonel of the 15th Massachusetts Colonial Line of the Continental Army.

Fun Fact: Bigelow was held as a POW by the British for over eight months. He was released in 1776.

1862: Union troops, under the command of General Ambrose Burnside, captured Roanoke Island in North Carolina.
1910: The Boy Scouts of America were incorporated.
1918: The military newsletter, "Stars and Stripes" resumed publication during World War I.

Fun Fact: Stars and Stripes originally began as a newsletter for Union soldiers during the Civil War.

1922: President Warren Harding had the first radio installed in the White House.
1943: Guadalcanal was secured by Allied troops during WWII


Feb 7, 2012

Today in American History - February 7th

1775: Founding Father Benjamin Franklin published "An Imaginary Speech" in London.
1855: Cowboy celebrity and detective Charles Siringo was born in Texas. Siringo spent nearly four years pursuing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid around the turn of the century, and published his book "A Cowboy Detective" in 1912.
1904: A small fire that started in the business district of Baltimore turned into the Great Baltimore Fire. The fire was believed to have been started by a cigarette being thrown away. When it finally ended, more than 30 hours later, an 80 block area had been destroyed.
1964: "Beatlemania" began in America as the Beatles arrived in New York City.


Feb 6, 2012

Today in American History - February 6th

1756: Aaron Burr, the third vice president (1801-1805) of the United States, was born in Newark, NJ.

Fun Fact: On July 11, 1804, Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel to settle their long-standing political differences. Hamilton was severely wounded and died the next day.  Burr was charged with two counts of murder.
Here is a fun little video about the duel - as if ESPN was there to cover....
ESPN covers Hamilton Burr Duel
ESPN covers Hamilton Burr Duel
1788:
Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution.
1865: At the Battle of Dabney's Mill, Confederate General John Pegram was killed.
1891: The Dalton Gang attempted their first train robbery in California.  It was unsuccessful. 
1911: Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the U.S., was born in Tampico, Illinois.


Feb 5, 2012

Today in American History - February 5th

1631: The founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, arrived in Boston, MA from England.
1826: Millard Fillmore, who later became the 13th President of
Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore
the United States, married Abigail Powers.
1865: The Civil War Battle of Dabney's Mill, or Hatcher's Run began around Petersburg, Virginia.
1881: Phoenix, Arizona was incorporated
1918: The U.S. ship Tuscania sunk off the coast of Ireland after being torpedoed by the German submarine U-77 during World War I.
1934: American baseball great Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama.
1937: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced his plan to expand the U.S. Supreme Court to 15 Justices.


Feb 4, 2012

Today in American History - February 4th

1789:George Washington was unanimously elected as the first
George Washington
George Washington
president of the United States.
Fun Fact: North Carolina and Rhode Island representatives were not allowed to vote, as those states had not yet ratified the Constitution.
1861: The Provisional Confederate Congress convened in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States of America.
1922: Ford Motor Company bought Lincoln Motor Company for 8 million dollars
1962: The first U.S. helicopter was shot down in Vietnam



Feb 3, 2012

Americas Founding Fathers, Who were the founding fathers? Founding fathers of the constitution.

What were Americas founding fathers like, and who were the Founding Fathers?

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Americas Founding Fathers, Who were the founding fathers? Founding fathers of the constitution."


Become part of the American History Fun Facts blog! Add your favorite American History Fun Fact, historical or patriotic recipes, Civil war re-enactments or favorite American history quotes, and your post will become a permanent part of this blog and website! I will also tweet your post and post it on American History Fun Facts on Facebook!

To subscribe to my American History Fun Facts blog (no e-mail address necessary), RIGHT-click on the orange RSS button (above, right) and then copy-and-paste the URL of this site's RSS feed into your RSS reader. OR...

...click on the Google, My Yahoo!, My MSN, or Bloglines button if you keep a personalized home page there. Follow their instructions.

If you prefer to receive American History Fun Facts blog updates via e-mail, you can use the form below.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Protected by Copyscape Online Copyright Search

Like American History Fun Facts?



Follow Me on Pinterest
XML RSSSubscribe To the Fun Facts Blog

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines


Our Ebooks





My Favorite History Blogs