Today In History
5 Fun Facts About October 20 In Maryland History
1. On October 20, 1781, the British army surrendered to American and French forces at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. While this event did not take place in Maryland, it had a significant impact on the state and the United States as a whole. 2. On October 20,...
5 Fun Facts About November 23 In Maine History
1. Maine Becomes a State - On November 23, 1820, Maine officially became the 23rd state in the United States after having been a part of Massachusetts for over 200 years. Maine joined the Union as a free state, at a time when the issue of slavery was a heated...
5 Fun Facts About October 24 In Louisiana History
1. On October 24, 1774, the first recorded instance of Mardi Gras in New Orleans took place when a group of French settlers came together for a masked ball. 2. On October 24, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was officially signed, doubling the size of the United States and giving the...
5 Fun Facts About May 26 In Iowa History
1. In 1844, the first telegraph line was completed in Iowa, connecting Davenport and Iowa City. This allowed for faster communication and played a significant role in the development of the state. 2. In 1858, Iowa Wesleyan College was established in Mount Pleasant. It was one of the first coeducational...
5 Fun Facts About September 8 In Maryland History
1. On September 8, 1658, the Maryland General Assembly passed a landmark law granting voting rights to all free men regardless of their religious beliefs. This was a significant step toward religious toleration in the colony. 2. In 1787, on September 8, the Continental Congress voted to send the newly...
5 Fun Facts About September 6 In Maryland History
1. The Battle of North Point took place on September 6, 1814, near Baltimore during the War of 1812. It was a pivotal battle that helped prevent the British from taking Baltimore and inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." 2. On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley...
5 Fun Facts About August 2 In Maryland History
1. On August 2, 1776, Maryland's delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The state had previously been hesitant to support independence, but after some debate and persuasion, the delegates joined their colleagues in declaring their separation from Great Britain. 2. August 2, 1858, marked the beginning...
5 Fun Facts About June 20 In Maryland History
1. On June 20, 1632, King Charles I of England granted a charter to Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, for the territory of Maryland. This charter established the Province of Maryland as a proprietary colony, which would be governed by members of the Calvert family for over 50 years. 2....
5 Fun Facts About April 30 In Maryland History
1. The Battle of Front Royal occurred on April 30, 1862, during the American Civil War. Confederate forces under General Stonewall Jackson defeated Union forces, capturing over 900 prisoners and securing much-needed supplies for their army. 2. On April 30, 1947, the Maryland State Park System was established, with the...
5 Fun Facts About April 14 In Maryland History
1. In 1783, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Maryland played a significant role in the war effort, with soldiers from the state fighting in key battles such as the Battle of Camden and the Battle of Yorktown. 2. On April...
5 Fun Facts About April 3 In Maine History
1. On April 3, 1823, the first steamship arrived in Portland, Maine, marking a significant milestone in the state's transportation history. The "John Marshall" had traveled from Boston to Portland in just 14 hours, a feat that was previously thought impossible. 2. In 1860, the first successful transatlantic cable was...
5 Fun Facts About April 1 In Maine History
1. April 1, 1820 was the date of Maine's official statehood. It became the 23rd state of the United States after separating from Massachusetts. Maine was the first new state to enter the Union after the original 13 colonies. 2. In 1865, April 1 marked the beginning of the Battle...