American History
U.S. Acquires Danish West Indies
Nearly 50 years after the first negotiations took place, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies from Denmark, later renaming them the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. again entered into talks with the Danish and the treaty was signed on August 4, 1916.
Christopher Columbus Sets Sail
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus left Spain to find a water route to the fabled gold and spice islands of China. Though he didn’t find what he was looking for, his trip made him famous.
President Harding Dies Suddenly
Though he had been in poor health for some time, President Warren G. Harding’s death on August 2, 1923, was a shock to the nation, and spurred numerous unfounded rumors.
Birth of Francis Scott Key, Author of National Anthem
Born on August 1, 1779, in western Maryland, Francis Scott Key witnessed the devastating attack of Fort McHenry which inspired him to pen one of our nation’s most patriotic tunes – “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Birth of NASA and Dawn of the Space Age
America officially entered the Space Race on July 29, 1958 when Congress established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Ben Franklin Appointed America’s First Postmaster General
On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established America’s first postal system and selected Benjamin Franklin as its first leader.
Neil Armstrong Becomes First Man to Walk on the Moon
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong uttered this now famous phrase as he took man’s first step on the Moon.
First Women’s Rights Convention in the US
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott heralded the start of the women’s rights movement on July 19, 1848, when they hosted the first convention on the rights of women in the U.S.
