Tag: America in the 20th Century

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, portrait by Alexander Gardner

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) WHO HE WAS: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is revered as one of the nation’s most iconic leaders. Born in a log cabin and largely self-taught, Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to guide the country through the Civil War, preserving the Union and emancipating slaves. His eloquence, wisdom,

Woodrow Wilson: Fourteen Points for World Peace, 1918

President Woodrow Wilson in a top hat standing in front of World War I soldiers in uniform.

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

Ronald Reagan: Address at Moscow State University, May 31, 1988

Main tower of Moscow State University with blue sky and clouds in the background.

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

Queen Lili’uokalani: Statement During Her Trial for Treason, 1895

A portrait of Queen Lili'uokalani wearing regal attire.

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

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, 1883

Statue of Liberty against a cloudy sky backdrop with the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus written in calligraphy.

“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

Lady Bird Johnson Reflects on President Kennedy’s Assassination: An Audio Journal Entry from November 22, 1963

A vintage photo of Lady Bird Johnson seated at a desk, engrossed in reading documents.

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

Communication from John Glenn’s Friendship 7 Space Capsule, February 20, 1962

John Glenn in astronaut suit beside the Friendship 7 Space Capsule

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

John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address, 1961

John F. Kennedy standing at a podium with microphones, delivering his inaugural address in 1961. He's dressed in a suit, looking determined. Surrounding him are various onlookers, some blurred in the background.

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

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Four Freedoms, Annual Message to Congress, 1941

Norman Rockwell's detailed illustration from the "Four Freedoms" series depicting diverse individuals in deep prayer and reflection.

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

Andrew Mellon: The Man Behind America’s Financial Landscape

Head and torso photo of Andrew Mellon leaning against the rail of a ship deck

Andrew Mellon: The Man Behind America’s Financial Landscape Andrew Mellon Andrew Mellon was a promient… financier, philanthropist, and politician who wielded immense influence over the United States’ financial and cultural landscapes. His story is one of success, innovation, but also of controversies that continue to fuel debates to this day. Early Life and Rise to Prominence