Category Archives: #HistoryLessonTuesdays

History Lesson Tuesdays: Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in 1776

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually encourage France’s interventionContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in 1776”

History Lesson Tuesdays: 1944 FDR Signs G.I. Bill

On June 22, 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill, an unprecedented act of legislation designed to compensate returning members of the armed services—known as G.I.s—for their efforts in World War II. As the last of its sweeping New Deal reforms, Roosevelt’s administration created the G.I. Bill (officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) hoping to avoid a relapseContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: 1944 FDR Signs G.I. Bill”

History Lesson Tuesday: 1968-Robert F. Kennedy is Fatally Shot

Shortly after midnight on June 5, 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Immediately after he announced to his cheering supporters that the country was ready to end its fractious divisions, Kennedy was shot several times by 24-year-old Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. He was pronounced deadContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesday: 1968-Robert F. Kennedy is Fatally Shot”

History Lesson Tuesdays: 1942- The Battle of Midway Begins

On June 4, 1942, the Battle of Midway—one of the most decisive U.S. victories against Japan during World War II—begins. During the four-day sea-and-air battle, the outnumbered U.S. Pacific Fleet succeeded in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one of its own, the Yorktown, to the previously invincible Japanese navy. In six months of offensives prior toContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: 1942- The Battle of Midway Begins”

History Lesson Tuesday: 1937: The Hindenburg Disaster

The airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built and the pride of Nazi Germany, bursts into flames upon touching its mooring mast in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 passengers and crew-members, on May 6, 1937.  Frenchman Henri Giffard constructed the first successful airship in 1852. His hydrogen-filled blimp carried a three-horsepower steam engine that turned a large propeller andContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesday: 1937: The Hindenburg Disaster”

History Lesson Tuesdays: 1945-Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his underground bunker

On April 30, 1945, holed up in a bunker under his headquarters in Berlin, Adolf Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head. Soon after, Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces, ending Hitler’s dreams of a “1,000-year” Reich. Since at least 1943, it was becoming increasingly clear that Germany wouldContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: 1945-Adolf Hitler commits suicide in his underground bunker”

History Lesson Tuesdays: 1975- President Ford says that war is finished for America

At a speech at Tulane University, President Gerald Ford says the Vietnam War is finished as far as America is concerned. “Today, Americans can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by re-fighting a war.” This was devastating news to the South Vietnamese, who were desperately pleading for U.S. support as theContinue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: 1975- President Ford says that war is finished for America”

History Lesson Tuesdays: 1972- Apollo 16 departs for the Moon

April 20, 1972- From Cape Canaveral, Florida, Apollo 16, the fifth of six U.S. lunar landing missions, is successfully launched on its 238,000-mile journey to the moon. On April 20, astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke descended to the lunar surface from the Command Module, which remained in orbit around the moon with a third astronaut,Continue reading “History Lesson Tuesdays: 1972- Apollo 16 departs for the Moon”