by Bill Federer -- Father Jacques Marquette arrived in Quebec from France to be a missionary among the Indians. Gov. Frontenac commissioned him to explore the unknown Mississippi River, traveling by canoe more…
by Bill Federer -- President Thomas Jefferson, author of the phrase "separation of church and state," asked Congress to ratify a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians, which they did this day, Dec. more…
by Bill Federer -- A 33-year-old conquistador landed in Mexico with 500 men. He was shocked to find the Aztecs taking prisoners of the weaker tribes, ripping their hearts out atop temples, more…
by Bill Federer -- The Confederates won the Second Battle of Bull Run, crossed the Potomac River into Maryland and captured Harper's Ferry. But the Confederate drive was halted at the Battle more…
by Bill Federer -- "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras Country" was his first popular story, written while in San Francisco. He then sailed to Palestine and wrote "Innocents Abroad." While on more…
by Bill Federer -- His death went unnoticed, as he died the same day John F. Kennedy was shot, but his works are some of the most widely read in English literature. more…
by Bill Federer -- The Revolutionary War started in Massachusetts. Following the hated Stamp Act, the British committed the infamous Boston Massacre, firing into a crowd and killing many. The colonists responded more…
by Bill Federer -- During World War I, Britain was at a great disadvantage in manufacturing explosives, that is, until there was a breakthrough in synthesizing acetone by a Jewish chemist named more…
by Bill Federer -- In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving. He wrote: "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty more…
by Bill Federer -- Freed from slavery, Sojourner Truth heard "a voice from Heaven" and began traveling the North preaching emancipation for the slaves. During the Civil War, she came to Washington, more…
Subscribe to feed