This Day In History
On May 20, 1774, the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts. The acts stripped away Massachusetts self-government and rights, triggering outrage and resistance in the Thirteen Colonies.
Category Archives: Did You Know?
Facts and trivia from American History
1921-05-19 Emergency Immigration Act
This Day In History
On May 19, 1921, the Emergency Quota Act, also known as the Emergency Immigration Act of 1921 was passed by Congress. The Emergency Quota Act placed restrictions on immigration into the United States.
1980-05-18 Mount St. Helens
This Day In History
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington State erupts, causing a massive avalanche and killing 57 people. Ash from the eruption fell as far away as Minnesota.
Star-Spangled Banner
Did You Know?
On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Did You Know?
The U.S. Army was in charge of exploring and mapping America. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was an all Army affair. Army officers were the first Americans to see such landmarks as Pike’s Peak and the Grand Canyon.
1776-05-05 Wicked Rebellion
This Day In History
On May 5, 1776, British Lieutenant General Henry Clinton issues a proclamation denouncing the Patriots’ “wicked rebellion” and recommended that the inhabitants of North Carolina return their allegiance to the King. He offered full pardon to all Patriots, except Continental Army Brigadier General Robert Howe and North Carolina Patriot Cornelius Harnett.
1776-05-04 Rhode Island
This Day In History
May 3, 1776, Rhode Island, the colony founded by the most radical religious dissenters from the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony, becomes the first North American colony to renounce its allegiance to King George III. Ironically, Rhode Island would be the last state to ratify the new American Constitution more than 14 years later on May 29, 1790.
1861-04-13 Fort Sumter Surrender
This Day In History
On April 13, 1861, Union forces surrender Fort Sumter to Confederate forces after a 33-hour bombardment of the fort and marked the end of the first engagement of the Civil War.
1861-04-12 American Civil War
This Day In History
On April 12, 1861 the bloodiest four years in American history began when Confederate shore batteries under General P.G.T. Beauregard open fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Bay. After South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860, the state demanded the fort be turned over but Union officials refused. This was the beginning of the American Civil War.
1776-04-07 Captured HMS Edward
This Day In History
On March 7, 1776, Captain John Barry of the American warship USS Lexington, captures the first British vessel, the HMS Edward off the coast of Virginia.
