“Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death”

Revolutionary War Era

“Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death”: The 250th Anniversary of Patrick Henry’s Immortal Speech to the Second Virginia Convention As Americans commemorate the 250th anniversary of the start of...

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Remembering Jim Bridger

American West

When we think of the early settlers of the American West, invariably our minds conjure up the image of intrepid “mountain men” who crossed the Rocky Mountains, battling the elements, fought with...

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Remembering Harriet Tubman

Civil War Era

One of the most revered figures in the history of the abolitionist movement in the 19th century was Harriet Tubman, who died this day on March 10, 1913 at the age of 90.  Harriet’s story is...

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Remembering Davy Crockett

American West

Many of us remember the Disney television miniseries titled Davy Crockett and the song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett”. While many western characters obtained nearly mythical status, they were...

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Remembering Sam Houston 

American West

On this day in 1793, Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge, Virginia. He was an American general and statesman who was a key figure in the Texas Revolution. He was the first and third president of...

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Remembering Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”

Revolutionary War Era

Our country’s Revolutionary War lasted eight years, from 1775 to 1783. Many historians contend that the War was won in no small part in a series of skirmishes and battles in the final years of the...

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Remembering Frederick Douglass

Civil War Era

We have posted before about the Civil War era and Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Much of the impetus for Lincoln’s Proclamation came from the radical abolitionists in the...

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Remembering Cotton Mather

Early New England

A major church leader in early America was Cotton Mather, who died this day on February 13, 1728 at the age of 65.  He was one of the most controversial Puritan clerics of his era, known for his...

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Remembering John Hancock

Revolutionary War Era

One of the most famous leaders of the rebellion that led to our American Revolution was John Hancock, born this day on January 23, 1737. Hancock was an unlikely warrior—he was not a military man,...

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Remembering John C. Fremont

American West

Born this day in 1813, Major-General John C. Fremont was one of the most popular men in America in the mid-1800’s: a soldier, an explorer, a gold speculator, a territorial Governor, a U.S. senator,...

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