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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
September 1, 2011 - Did you ever notice the Washington Monument is two different colors? The monument was begin in 1848. There was a lack of funds and then the Civil War started. more funds were allocated in 1876 and it was finished in 1884.
September 2, 2011 - Alexander Hamilton was the only New Yorker to sign the Constitution. George Washington appointed him Secretary of the Treasury and helped start the first bank of the United States - a way to consolidate the nation's debts and stabilize its currency.
September 3, 2011 - Did you know homes had plaques on them the owners purchased to show firemen? These plaques were a sign that a fee was paid (like insurance). If this home caught fire, the firemen would save this house because they had the plaque on their house! Don't worry, if your home caught fire and you didn't have a plaque, if the house next to yours did, they would still water down your house so the person next door who did have a plaque wouldn't catch fire.
September 4, 2011 - John Adams had a difficult time when he became president. The war between the French and British was causing trouble on the high seas. Not only that it caused trouble with many in America who were divided in their loyalties.
September 5, 2011 - Who is the Marquis de Lafayette? He was a young French aristocrat who believed in freedom. He came to the colonies and offered to assist without being paid. He became a good friend of General George Washington's who thought of the young man as an equal and son. Lafayette was instrumental in gaining French support for the War of Independence.
September 6, 2011 - At the Battle of Saratoga, the patriots won an important victory. The win helped convince the French we could win the war. After all why would they join a war that could not be won?
September 7, 2011 - Did you know the earliest reference to the United States as Uncle Sam comes in 1813 in the Troy Post? This would date Uncle Sam way back to the time of the War of 1812.
September 8, 2011 - Do you know Dr. Benjamin Rush? He signed the declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he pleaded to John Adams that the condition of our war hospitals needed to be better. He said the British treated their wounded better and had cleaner facilities. Smallpox killed more soldiers than bullets and bayonets did. Lucky for us, Dr. Rush pushed for better health standeds.
September 9, 2011 - Did you know George Washington called for the abilition of slavery in 1786. Because he could not get the new country to agree on this. He rewrote his will on July9, 1799 to free more than 100 slaves that he owned. While he is maligned for bringing slaves to the Presidents' House in Philadelphia, it's good to know he tried to push for the abolition of slavery even before he was elected and finally he freed his slaves upon his death. What many people do not know is that many slaveholders did the same thing because of lack of support from the surrounding community during their liftimes.
September 9, 2011- Just wanted to give you the webpage so you can read about George Washington's stand on freeing his slaves www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm.
September 10, 2011 - On this day in 1963 President John F Kennedy federalizes Alabama's National Guard to keep Governor Wallace from stopping desegregation in public schools! Everyone has the right to the same education!!!
September 12, 2011 - During the Revolutionary War many states made sailing vessels sign agreements that none of their cargo was meant for King George. Boycotting England was an effective way to battle Great Britain.
September 13, 2011 - Did you know how people kept their skin soft years ago? They used hogs lard, white wax, rose water, alkanet root or cochineal pigment (for color). If you want the recipe check out www.history.org/Almanack/homebeauty/index.cfm They have many fascinating recipes. Check them out!
September 14, 2011 - What are the Articles of Confederation? The Articles of Confederation is the document the US used before we had the Constitution. The Articles were ratified on March 1, 1781 and allowed the states to retain much of their own rights before new laws were written to govern all 13 new states.
September 15, 2011 - When the Revolutionary War broke out Governor Dunmore of Virginia offered freedom to slaves who fought for Britain. He hoped the slaves would rise up against their masters and cause an insurrection so the colonists would be too busy fighting the slaves to fight Britain. There were some who agreed to fight, but not for Britain but because they wanted their freedom.
September 16, 2011 - Did you know the slaves who came to America were torn from their families? many of them were part of large extended families just like the Englishmen/Frenchmen and others who tore them from their families. When many were captured, they were sold in the Americas, often times wives sold to one plantation and husbands to another. In some instances, children who were born here were also separated from their families if the owners thought they could get a good price for them. But, on some plantations, like George Washington's, the families were kept together because Washington believed his slaves were happier if they were with their family members. Besides, remember he wanted to free them one day - he could not free families if they were separated.
September 17, 2011 - Do you know who Rosie the Riveter is? She was the symbol of the American woman at home during WWII. Women had to take over jobs men traditionally held while the men fought in the war. This was not the first time it happened, even though it is the first time we heard about it on a large scale because of television and the media. The very first Rosies were during the Revolutionary War. Women became the temporary heads of the household, and in some tragic cases, permanent. They took on many of the jobs the men used to do while the men were away. One of the positive aspects - girls were now educated because they were needed to do jobs boys used to do. Now you know where the saying "hold down the fort" came from.
September 18, 2011 - Do you know how they picked the place for the Capitol? Actually George Washington helped pick the location. Maryland gave 10 square miles of land and so did Virginia. Ultimately, some of Virginia's land was given back. A Frenchman named Charles L'Enfant planned the design of the city. he was influenced by the gardens at Versailles. Jenkins' Hill was chosen because as L'Enfant said - the site was "a pedestal waiting for a monument". Don't you agree it looks majestic there?
September 19, 2011 - How do we know how to spell different words? Thank Noah Webster who compiled the first American dictionary in 1828. So next time you ask "Why do we spell communicate with a C and not a K", think of Noah Webster.
September 20, 2011 - When you see me standing in front of a statue at the Capitol of a lady, you probably ask who is she? Her name is Jeannette Rankin. She was born in Missoula, Montana and she became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives in 1916.
September 21, 2011 - in 1897, Alfred Cralle, an African American inventor, invented something we still use today - the ice cream scoop. So next time you get ice cream remember Mr. Crane.
September 22, 2011 - Do you know who Nathan Hale is? He was a spy for the Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The British executed him after capturing him.
September 23, 2011 Why is Bunker Hill important. Bunker Hill was the costliest battle for the British. They lost over 1,000 men and many officers. The patriots only lost 400 but were pushed back 3 times.
September 24, 2011 - Can you imagine the turkey as our national bird? Well that was what Benjamin Franklin wanted. He felt the eagle had bad moral character because it stole from other birds and was basically a coward. On the other hand, he felt the turkey would attack the British if they wandered into its farmyard. He also said the turkey was a native of America. Think about it the turkey on top of coins, dollar bills, and the presidential seal. Just doesn't sound as majestic does it."
September 25, 2011 - Since yesterday I wrote about the 3 branches of government, I found today's event perfect. Today the 12th Amendment was added to the constitution. Since the election of 1800 was a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr and the House of Representatives had to vote on who would be president and who would be vice president, the amendment was written. No longer would the person who lost the election be automatically become vice president. Instead there would be elections for both positions. During that election it took 36 ballots for Thomas Jefferson to be voted as our 3rd president.
September 26, 2011 - Do you know who James Monroe is? Our fifth president, he is credited for the Monroe Doctrine and the Missouri Compromise.
September 27, 2011 - When the Mayflower traveled to the New World, one man brought 126 pairs of shoes and 13 pairs of boots. He didn't know what weather to expect and he could sell the extra shoes. William Mullins became the first traveling salesman.
September 28, 2011 - Many people forget Great Britain did not fight against the patriots alone. Remember King George was not English. Hessians, who were German soldiers fought for King Georges. Little did people know that many of these German soldiers were conscripted against their will and sent to fight a battle against people had conflict with. Imagine being pulled from your family and sent overseas to fight against a country you did not understand.
September 29, 2011 - Do you know why we only work 5 days a week? In 1932, General Motors established a 5 day work week and soon other companies followed. Keep in mind that many people worked at least 6 days and often times worked from early morning to late at night. Working conditions were abominable and changes needed to be made. Thank GM for this step in the right direction.
September 30 - Do you know who Benedict Arnold is? Considered for a time, the most famous traitor in American history, Benedict Arnold was a brilliant soldier and George Washington often lauded him in letters. He had success at Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain, among other battles. The entire country was shocked to learn of Arnold's treason in September of 1780. Many believe his marriage to Miss Shippen who had family with Tory sympathies, he would turn too. He began to mingle with many in Philadelphia who were Tories and this began his decline away from patriot beliefs.
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