January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
MRS. HOFFMAN'S HODGEPODGE OF HISTORICAL FACTS
The overload of historical facts has given rise to a multitude of pages for these facts. This will allow the researcher to go to a particular month to find facts. For research purposes - my facts are from such a long extensive list of books, sites, applications, etc, that it would difficult to list them all. I pick a fact based on what interested me that day when I wrote it down.
Also, please be aware that some months have no facts yet. That is because this blog was created in May of 2011, so several months do not have facts yet. They will be under construction until I reach that month.
Disclaimer - please keep in mind these facts are not listed in chronological order. Just as the page states - it is a hodgepodge of American History Facts
Think of this as a treasure hunt. You never know what delightful fact you might learn that day.
Enjoy
Mrs. Hoffman
December 1, 2011 - What is King Phillip's War? King Phillip was actually the son of Chief Massasoit. (do you remember him from the landing of the Mayflower?) He waged war against the Plymouth colony in 1675. Governor Winslow led 1000 men against the natives, killing 500 warriors and twice as many women and children. Check out this site: www.weebly.com/kingphilipwar
December 2, 2011 - Have you ever heard of the Manhattan Project? The Manhattan Project was the first controlled atomic chain reaction. It happened in 1942. Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer then helped direct the construction of the first atomic bomb. The Manhattan Project scientists successfully exploded the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945 in New Mexico. Not long after that, bombs were dropped on Japan that helped end WWII.
December 3, 2011 - My amazing fact for today - On December 3, 1818, Illinois joined the Union. The 21st state, Illinois got its name from the Illinois Confederation of Algonquin Native Americans. The word "Illinois" means tribe of great men!!! So, if you are from Illinois - you are part of a tribe of great men/women.
December 4, 2011 - Okay, another amazing fact about our home town, Chicago! Today in 1674, Father Jacques Marquette built the first dwelling, a mission, where Chicago now stands. He hoped to work with the Native Americans in the area to convert them from their savage ways. We all know that 100 years later DuSable created the first trading post on the Chicago River. Then Fort Dearborn was built in 1803. I think he still needs to speak to some politicians around here. Just a quick question - what does Chicago mean? Stinky onion, smelly onion, or garlic? The debate rages but the general consensus is "wild onion".
December 5, 2011 - Prohibition is repealed by President Franklin D Roosevelt on this day in 1933. The ban, part of the18th Amendment, was in effect from 1920-1933. The 21st Amendment changed it all. When the 18th Amendment was put into place, the government hoped to start a time period of temperance but instead an era of high crime rate ensued. Three-fourths of the states was needed to repeal the law, but in 1933, Congress used the state legislatures as a means to pass it and each state then was able to vote on the repeal.
December 6, 2011 - When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, his vice president, Andrew Johnson, a Democrat would take office. He started the Reconstruction and it was almost complete when Congress convened. They passed the 13th and 14th Amendments - to abolish slavery and to protect the former slaves from discrimination. Many did not like Johnson and Radical Republicans took over control of Congress later that fall. They placed much of the South under martial law. They also voted on severe restrictions against the President's powers. When Johnson apparently violated one of those laws, they tried to impeach him. He was acquitted by one vote.
December 7, 2011 - Why is this day important? December 7th is the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was a quiet Sunday morning. Many of the servicemen were sleeping or getting ready to go to church when the attack happened. The men on the ships were asleep on their bunks. Much of the fleet was destroyed. The Japanese underestimated the strength of the Americans and their resolve. President Roosevelt declared it as a day that would live in "infamy"! It did not take long for the fleet to be rebuilt even stronger.
December 8, 2011 - Many students are unfamiliar with the Cold War. The nuclear arms race kept America and Russia on a path that spiraled out of control. On this day in 1987, President Ronald Reagan met with Russian president, Mikhail Gorbachev for a summit. The two men sign a treaty to end nuclear weapons. All ground cruise and missile launchers are eliminated.
December 9, 2011 - Continuing our information on the Cold War brings up the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, a US spy plane captured pictures that the Soviet Union was building bases and deploying nuclear missiles on Cuba. President Kennedy responded to the threat by blockading Cuba if the missiles were not withdrawn. After two weeks of intense postulating, the Soviet Union finally agreed to remove all missiles from Cuba.
December 10, 2011 - Which president was never elected to office? That would be Gerald Ford. He became vice president when Spiro Agnew resigned after being accused of money laundering. Then when Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, he became our 38th president.
December 11, 2011 - Did you know one of our presidents used to be an actor? Ronald Reagan, our 40th president was an actor, but he was also a radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. During WWII, he helped make training movies for the military because he could not serve overseas due to poor eyesight. He became governor of California in 1966. As President, he is responsible for helping to end the Cold War by signing an agreement with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.
December 12, 2011 - The Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989. With the end of the Cold War, the wall divided East and West Berlin for the last time on November 9th.
December 13, 2011 - The Battle of Fredericksburg was a disaster for the Union forces. Eleven thousand men were either killed or wounded from the Union. For Robert E. Lee, this was a resounding victory and gave the Confederacy the hope it needed to keep on fighting.
December 14, 2011 - Who is Calvin Coolidge? He was our 30th president. He was born in Vermont and was actually visiting his parents when he learned he won the election. His father who was a notary republic brought out the family bible and performed the oath of office.
December 15, 2011 - Who was elected president 4 times? Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for 4 terms. He was president from March 1933 to April 1945. His words will always be remembered - "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" and "today is a day that will live in infamy". Roosevelt saw our country through the Great Depression and almost the end of World War II.
December 16, 2011 - "O Captain, My captain, Our fearful trip is done." Do you know who wrote this and who it was about? The poem was written by Walt Whitman and was about Abraham Lincoln.
December 17, 2011 - Over 100 years ago on this day, Orville flew a self-propelled aircraft for 12 seconds.
December 18, 2011 - In 1620 - the Pilgrims docked at Plymouth Rock on this day. Seeking religious freedom, over 100 brave men and women traveled across the ocean on the Mayflower. They faced many adversities but were able to build a life for themselves hundreds of miles away from the settlers in Jamestown who were seeking riches when they landed in 1607 in Virginia.
December 19, 2011 - Who is Chester A. Arthur? He was our 21st President. He enacted the first federal immigration law. He approved a measure to exclude paupers, criminals, and lunatics from coming into the country. Congress even suspended Chinese immigration for 10 years and later made the restriction permanent. Alexander McClure stated, "no man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired more generally respected."
December 20, 2011 - "I Like Ike". This was the campaign slogan when Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for office. He was the Commander of the Allied forces landing in North Africa and later became the Supreme Commander of the troops invading France. He won the election by a sweeping victory and became our 34th president.
December 21, 2011 - When did the media make a difference in a Presidential election? One could argue the first time the media made a difference was during the 1960 election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. During the nationally televised debates, Kennedy came off appearing cool and collected while Nixon appeared nervous and shifty. Kennedy ended up winning, even though Nixon had a proven record as Eisenhower's vice president. It wasn't until 1968 that he won the nomination and election. He had great highs and lows - a high: ending Viet Nam while his low: Watergate.
December 22, 2011 - Harry S. Truman, our 33rd President, dropped two atomic bombs on Japan - Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered not long after. He became president after Roosevelt died (not long after being elected for his 4th term of office).
December 23, 2011 - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson did not always get along. They certainly did not agree on their philosophy of running this new country. During the last years of their lives, they found a comradery that transcended those differences. As a matter of fact, on the day Adams died, he is quoted as saying "Thomas Jefferson survives" but what he did not know was that Jefferson had died a few hours earlier at Monticello. Both men died on July 4th, 1826 the 50 anniversary of our country.
December 24, 2011 - Ever hear the saying "Tippecanoe and Tyler too?" This was the slogan when John Tyler ran for president. He was our president because of the death of our 10 president - Harrison.
December 25, 2011 - In 1770 nearly every colony had slaves. Some colonies had more than others. Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia were more than 40% slaves. North Carolina and Maryland were 20-40% slaves. The remaining colonies had less 20% slaves. Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and new Hampshire were less than 5% slaves.
December 26, 2011 - Which president was elected twice but not consecutively? Grover Cleveland was our 22nd and our 24th president. He was also the only president married while in the White House. He was a bachelor when he was elected, but because of the formal dinners he needed to attend, he married a young woman, Frances Folsom who was only 21 at the time.
December 27, 2011 - Most of us are familiar with George H. and George W Bush - the father and son presidents. They were not the first father-son presidents our country had. We all know about John Adams, our second president, but did you know our 6th president was his son? John Quincy Adams traveled with his father to Europe as his secretary. He held many offices during his lifetime - Minister to the Netherlands, Berlin Legation, Senator, Minister to Russia, and Secretary of State. Under his leadership we have the C & O Canal.
December 28, 2011 - This date marks the anniversary of the day Congress formally adopted the Pledge of Allegiance as a sign of loyalty to our flag and the country. Congress says the pledge before opening sessions. It has been modified 4 times since its acceptance in 1942. The pledge must be said by standing at attention and with the right hand over the heart.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
These words still ring as true today as they did when first written in 1892 by Frances Bellamy.
December 29, 2011 - Why is Wounded Knee important? The US government were coercing the Lakota into giving over their lands bit by bit. Many of the Native Americans were forced to live on reservations where even their livelihood was being destroyed as more bison were killed. The Lakota were moved to Wounded Knee Creek, many of whom were women and children. They were severely outnumbered by US Cavalry. When the conflict ended - nearly all the 250 Native Americans were killed - including women and children. Only 25 cavalry were killed. To read more about it go to www.woundedkneemuseum.org.
December 30, 2011 - President Franklin Pierce became president during a time of peace, but soon he was faced with "Bloody Kansas" which became a prelude to the Civil War.
December 31, 2011 - Who was William McKinley? He won the 1896 election by the largest margin in nearly 20 years, beating William Jennings Bryan. During his term of office, he destroyed the Spanish fleet outside of Santiago harbor in Cuba, seized Manila in the Philippines, and occupied Puerto Rico. He was elected for a second term but was shot in September 1901 by a deranged anarchist. McKinley was standing in a receiving line at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition at the time. He died eight days later.
No comments:
Post a Comment