The Defense of Fort McHenry (The Star-Spangled Banner) During the War of 1812, a noted attorney named Francis Scott Key found himself in the midst of the British onslaught against Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. After enduring nearly a full day of relentless shelling, Key was certain the British would capture the fort and raise the
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During a pivotal speech to Congress in January 1918, President Woodrow Wilson outlined fourteen essential tenets aimed at establishing worldwide peace. These principles subsequently shaped the peace talks held in Versailles, France, marking the conclusion of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson Fourteen Points for World Peace January 8, 1918 It will be our wish
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As the 1980s drew to a close, the Cold War was winding down and the Soviet Union was on the brink of collapse. Diplomatic ties between the United States and the Soviet Union strengthened. The camaraderie between President Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan was notably cordial, leading to President Reagan’s memorable address to the
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In 1893, Hawaii’s final monarch was dethroned due to a coup led by local sugar magnates and entrepreneurs. By 1895, she faced arrest and confinement on charges of treason after her followers tried to reinstate the monarchy. The Hawaiian Islands became a part of the United States in 1898. Queen Lili’uokalani Statement During Her Trial
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“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus stands as a timeless tribute to the enduring symbol of the Statue of Liberty. Through Lazarus’s eloquent words, the poem paints a picture of hope, freedom, and the enduring promise of a better life that has welcomed countless immigrants to America’s shores. The New Colossus Emma Lazarus 1883 Not
In this deeply personal audio journal entry, Lady Bird Johnson recounts the harrowing day of November 22, 1963, when President J. F. Kennedy was assassinated. Providing a firsthand account, she captures the shock, sorrow, and chaos that enveloped the nation, juxtaposed against the initially bright and cheerful atmosphere of that fateful day in Dallas. Lady
In 1957, the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik I initiated the space race between the USSR and the US. Amid this competitive atmosphere, on February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth aboard the Friendship 7 Space Capsule. Despite facing challenges such as an autopilot malfunction and concerns about the heat
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John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961 underscored the changing global landscape, emphasizing that though the world was different from when the country’s forefathers established the nation, the foundational beliefs of freedom and human rights remained paramount. Kennedy highlighted the challenges and responsibilities of a new generation of Americans, calling them to take up the
In his 1941 annual message to Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt articulates the unparalleled external challenges that America faced at the time. Drawing parallels with past domestic crises and wars, FDR emphasizes the nation’s unwavering resolve to maintain its rights and the principles of peaceful commerce. He reaffirms America’s historic stance against enforced isolation and
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The Code of Hammurabi stands as a testament to ancient legal systems and the evolution of societal norms. Enacted by King Hammurabi of Babylon, this ancient Babylonian law code is believed to be the oldest set of laws known to exist. Originally carved into an eight-foot-tall stone monument in Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iran, these laws
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