On June 1, 1812, President James Madison asked Congress to grant him the authority to go to war with England, a risky move against a global power that nearly cost the young United States its independence, saw the White House burned, and propelled General…
Read MoreOn May 31, 1859, the iconic clock tower now known as Big Ben began to keep time for the first time. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, the tower has since become one of the most recognizable symbols…
Read MoreThe dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922, marked the commemoration of one of the nation’s most revered presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the massive marble monument stands as a tribute to…
Read MoreOn May 29, 1913, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris witnessed one of the most legendary and tumultuous premieres in the history of classical music: the debut of Igor Stravinsky’s ballet “The Rite of Spring” (Le Sacre du Printemps). The event has since become…
Read MoreThe Spanish Armada, a formidable naval force assembled by King Philip II of Spain, embarked on its fateful expedition beginning on May 28, 1588. Comprising 130 ships and approximately 30,000 men, including sailors, soldiers, and support personnel, the Armada’s mission was to overthrow Queen…
Read MoreOn May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic marvel of engineering and design, was opened to the public for the first time. The bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Strait, connects San Francisco to Marin County and is considered one of the greatest infrastructure achievements of…
Read MoreOn May 26, 1896, Charles Dow, a pioneering financial journalist, and co-founder of Dow Jones & Company, published the first edition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). This seminal event marked a turning point in financial reporting and market analysis, establishing a new standard…
Read MoreThe Diet of Worms, convened in 1521, stands as a pivotal moment in the history of the Reformation and European religious politics. This imperial council, held in the German city of Worms, was summoned by Emperor Charles V to address the burgeoning theological controversy stirred by Martin Luther. Luther, a German…
Read MoreOn the night of May 24, 1856, one of the most violent episodes of “Bleeding Kansas” occurred at Pottawatomie Creek, dramatically influencing the already tense atmosphere between proslavery and antislavery forces in the United States. Angered by the beating of Charles Sumner, John Brown, a…
Read MoreBonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, better known as Bonnie and Clyde, are among the most infamous figures in American criminal history. Their violent escapades during the Great Depression era captivated the nation and etched their names into the annals of American folklore as legendary bank robbers.…
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