Zachary Taylor Born
Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of the United States, was born near Barboursville, Virginia on November 24, 1784. A hero of the Mexican-American War, he only served 16 months of his time in office.
Politics
Birth of Bobby Kennedy
Robert F. (Bobby) Kennedy was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 20, 1925. America’s 64th Attorney General, he was one of the youngest cabinet members in history, and is remembered for his dedication to civil rights and fighting against organized crime.
North Dakota Admitted to the Union
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the Union as the 39th state.
Happy Birthday Cordell Hull
America’s longest-serving secretary of State, Cordell Hull, was born on October 2, 1871, in Olympus, Overton County (now Pickett County), Tennessee. Hull was also a driving force behind the the creation of the UN sometimes referred to as the “Father of the United Nations.”
Birth of Gwen Ifill
Gwendolyn L. Ifill was born on September 29, 1955, in Jamaica, Queens. The first African American woman to host a national political show and moderate a vice presidential debate, she was widely known and respected for her integrity and ability to remain unbiased.
Death of Fiorello La Guardia
On September 20, 1947, former New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia died. Voted the best former mayor in America, he fought corruption and revitalized the city.
Birth of President Lyndon B. Johnson
America’s 36th President, Lyndon Baines Johnson, was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. President Johnson promoted a “Great Society” and signed many initiatives into law aimed at civil rights, public broadcasting, health, education, the arts, and public services.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
On August 21, 1858, Abraham Lincoln participated in the first of seven debates against Stephen Douglas. Part of a race for an Illinois seat in the US Senate, they became known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates or the Great Debates of 1858.
Birth of George Meany
William George Meany was born on August 16, 1894, in Harlem, New York City. One of the most influential labor leaders in US history, Meany is credited with successfully merging the American Federation of Labor, or AFL, and the Congress of Industrial Labor, or CIO.