On August 24, 1814, a significant and devastating event unfolded in American history—the burning of the White House by British forces. This dramatic episode occurred during the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain that had been raging for…
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On August 23, 1991, the world changed in ways that few could have predicted when the World Wide Web became publicly accessible, ushering in a new era of global communication, information sharing, and connectivity. Though the internet itself had existed for decades, it was…
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On August 23, 1784, a new nation was created just west of North Carolina. Merely a few years after the United States gained its independence, the short-lived Republic of Franklin was born, but it was also short-lived. “The previous April, the state of North…
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On August 22, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly ride in an automobile. This event was more than just a personal milestone for Roosevelt; it was a symbol of…
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The Second Battle of the Somme, commencing on August 21, 1918, marked a significant phase of the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, which ultimately led to the end of World War I. This battle, fought in the Somme region of France, was a vital part…
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On August 21, 1858, in Ottawa, Illinois, two leading figures in American democracy launched a series of debates over a Senate seat, debating what it means to be free, democracy, and the purpose of the United States. The National Parks Service states that the first debate…
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On August 20, 1920, seven men, including one of America’s greatest athletes of all time, Jim Thorpe, held a meeting to organize what may be the most pivotal moment in sports history. Coming together in a local auto dealership in Canton, Ohio, the National…
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On August 19, 1848, The New York Herald, one of the most influential newspapers of the time, made history by being the first major publication to break the news of the California Gold Rush to the East Coast of the United States. This announcement…
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On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution earned its nickname: Old Ironsides. Launched in 1797, the wooden-hulled, three-masted frigate, under the command of Captain Isaac Hull, “sailed from Boston on August 2, 1812 to off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. On the afternoon of August 19,…
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On August 18, 1868, one of the most abundant gases in the universe was discovered. Though less common on Earth, the discovery of helium marked a significant milestone in the history of chemistry and physics and has been credited to two scientists who made…
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