On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed to the state legislatures twelve amendments that would enshrine American freedoms directly into the Constitution. Soon to be called the American Bill of Rights, ten were later ratified by the states and…
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On September 19, 1796, the father of the United States left the stage for a final time, retiring to “sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree” at Mount Vernon. “After two terms in office, Washington decided to retire from public life, writes the…
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On August 22, 1791, “The Pearl of the Antilles,” the French colony of Saint Domingue erupted in flames. The Haitain Revolution had begun as the enslaved held in bondage on the world wealthiest colony fought for their freedom. Spanning from 1791 to 1804, The…
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On August 4, 1790, under the leadership of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Congress authorized the construction of ten cutters to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Initially called the Revenue Marine, today we better know it as the…
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The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of four laws passed by the Federalist-dominated 5th United States Congress and signed into law by President John Adams on July 14, 1798. These laws were ostensibly enacted in response to the perceived threat of French…
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The Northwest Ordinance, adopted on July 13, 1787, established a government for the Northwest Territory, outlined state admission process, ensured equality with the original thirteen states, protected civil liberties, and banned slavery in new territories. The Ordinance would play a major role in the…
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The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a seminal document that not only marked the birth of the United States but also launched a transformative era: the modern world that lifted billions alive and yet unborn. Its impact reverberated across continents,…
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On July 4, 1802, amidst the backdrop of a new and aspiring nation, West Point, the esteemed United States Military Academy, officially opened its doors. The event marked a significant milestone in American history. Established under President Thomas Jefferson’s vision, West Point’s inception was…
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In the sweltering heat of June 1776, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia and decided to change the course of human events. The delegates, representing the thirteen colonies, faced the monumental task of justifying a rebellion that had already sparked skirmishes and ignited…
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On April 27, 1805, one of the most daring and consequential events of the First Barbary War unfolded—the American-led assault on the Tripolitan city of Derna. This audacious expedition, immortalized in the Marine Corps hymn with the phrase “to the shores of Tripoli,” showcased…
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