Week 1
1. Annexation of Texas
The annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States happened nearly 10 years after the Battle of the Alamo.
2. The Zimmerman Telegram
In 1917, the Zimmerman Telegram, a proposal for an alliance between Germany and Mexico, was published.
3. Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves
In March 1807, a bill prohibiting the importation of slaves originally drawn up by Joseph Bradley Varnum was signed into law.
4. “The Star-Spangled Banner,” National Anthem
In 1931, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written during an attack on Ft. McHenry in 1814, was adopted as the national anthem of the United States.
5. Boston Massacre
During the Boston Massacre hundreds of Americans faced off with a group of British troops, which ultimately led to the death of five Americans.
Week 2
6. Matthew Ridgway
In 1951, American General Matthew Ridgway commanded United Nations troops during the Korean War’s Operation Ripper.
7. Notorious B.I.G.
During the 1990s, Notorious B.I.G. had a tremendous influence on American culture. An influence that resonated long after he tragically passed.
8. Dot.com Bubble
The Dot.com bubble refers to massive investments in companies affiliated with technology, computers, and the internet around the year 2000.
9. Lend-Lease Act
In early 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act into law. The act loaned the Allies US-made supplies during WWII.
10. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
In 1903, Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge was established by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the first of many national wildlife refuges.
Week 3
11. Pancho Villa Expedition
In 1916, the Pancho Villa Expedition launched by the United States with orders to locate, defeat, and capture Mexican commander Pancho Villa.
12. American Rocketry
In 1926, Dr. Robert Goddard constructed and launched the first liquid-fueled rocket, which earned him recognition in the scientific world.
13. USS Franklin
In 1945, as World War II was nearing its end, the USS Franklin (nicknamed “Big Ben”) was nearly sunk near the islands of Japan.
14. Libby Riddles
In 1973, the Iditarod Trail race for sled dogs was first held in Alaska. In 1985, Libby Riddles became the first female musher to win the contest.
15. Tara Lipinski
Tara Lipinski, an American ice skater, became the youngers women’s World Figure Skating Champion in 1997.
Week 4
16. Patrick Henry
In 1775, the phrase “Give me liberty, or give me death!” was reportedly stated by Patrick Henry, an American politician from Virginia.
17. The Great Escape
The Great Escape, a 1963 war movie, was based on the true story of an incident that occurred in 1944.
18. Selma to Montgomery March
In 1965, the Selma to Montgomery marches were held in Alabama to increase attention to unfair voting practices.
19. F117A
In 1999, an F117A Nighthawk nicknamed “Something Wicked” was shot down while flying a combat mission for NATO…
20. Bleeding Kansas
In the mid-1850s, Kansas was set to apply for statehood in the US, but disagreements about freedom and slavery caused a bloody situation…