In 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels made history by becoming the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. His appointment marked a significant milestone in the Reconstruction era, a time when the nation was grappling with the aftermath of the Civil War and the newly gained freedoms of formerly enslaved individuals. Representing the …
Tag: USHistory
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: A Nation Tested
On February 24, 1868, the United States witnessed a historic political showdown as President Andrew Johnson became the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. This dramatic event was the result of a deep and bitter struggle between Johnson and the Radical Republicans in Congress, who were determined to reshape the South …
Restoring an Icon: The Washington Monument Reopens in 1988
For nearly a century, the Washington Monument stood as a towering tribute to the first President of the United States, a beacon of national pride in the heart of Washington, D.C. However, by the late 20th century, the beloved landmark had begun to show its age. Structural concerns, wear from millions of visitors, and the …
Peace Across the Pond: How the Treaty of Ghent Ended the War of 1812
The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, brought an official end to the War of 1812, a conflict that had deeply strained relations between the United States and Britain. The war itself was fueled by longstanding tensions, including British restrictions on American trade and forced recruitment of American sailors into the British Navy. …
The Incident That Changed Everything: Understanding the Gulf of Tonkin
In early August 1964, a series of naval skirmishes in the Gulf of Tonkin, just off the coast of North Vietnam, would forever change the course of American history. The first confrontation took place on August 2, when the USS Maddox, a U.S. Navy destroyer, was on a reconnaissance mission in the area. During this …
Sights Around Lafayette Square
Walking around Lafayette Square in front of the White House here are a few of the things you can see. First you can see the front of the White House with the Washington Monument in the background. Next you can see an Equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson. The statue depicts Andrew Jackson, the general who …