U.S. History

What Happened On February 14th? Love is always supposed to hang heavy on February 14th. But on Valentine's Day in the year 1929, Chicago instead saw the complete opposite. In the 'Windy City," a gangland showdown like no other became a grim symbol of Prohibition-era America. As a ruthless power play, the ruthless execution claimed 7 lives. For years, the contentious rivalry between the North Side Gang and Al Capone's South Side Outfit made various parts of Chicago dangerous and unsafe. Streets became battlegrounds as gang members fought over bootlegging profits. On this Valentine's Day in 1929, seven men were lured into a garage on North Clark Street under the pretense of a deal, but were actually met with cold-blooded killers disguised as police officers. All of a sudden, tommy guns were ...

What Happened On February 9th? February 9th, 1971 was the unforgettable day of the earthquake that ripped right through San Fernando Valley, California. At precisely 6:01 AM PST, a powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake, now remembered as the Sylmar quake, struck with the suddenness for 12 seconds. Innocent civilians were jolted awake as furniture flew across rooms and panicked screams eliminated pre-dawn silence. In many homes and buildings across the valley, walls cracked and windows shattered as the earth violently shook. The epicenter of the quake laid in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of the lively city of Sylmar. Here, the devastation was most prominent... Buildings crumbled and fires erupted from ruptured gas lines. The iconic Veterans Administration Hospital tragically succumbed ...

What Happened On February 5th? On February 5th, 1917, the Immigration Act of 1917 was passed by the 64th United States Congress, overriding President Woodrow Wilson's veto. This American immigration policy became the nation's first major restrictive immigration law. The day itself was filled with political tension. The House of Representatives had originally passed the same Act a year ago on March 30th, 1916. However, 28th President Wilson, an advocate and a voice for open immigration, expressed strong opposition and issued a veto on December 14th, 1916. Despite his efforts, the Senate voted to override the veto on January 29th, 1917 by a comfortable 56-10 margin. The House followed suit on February 5th, achieving a decisive 287-106 vote, officially overriding the veto and making the Act l...

What Happened On January 31st? On the last day in January in 1865, a section in America's dark history came to an end with an additional amendment to The Constitution. Inside the marbled halls of Congress in Washington D.C., tension was building up. The fate of a nation, bound by the chains of slavery, hung in the balance. Still weary from the Civil War, 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, watched from the White House as politicians and civil rights activists went at each other. His Emancipation Proclamation, casted a hope for freedom over "traditional" Confederate lands. But to truly extinguish the darkness, a constitutional suture was needed to free the nation completely. Inside the House Chamber, debate raged like a storm. Abolitionists, pled and argued for the 13th Amendment – hoping...

What Happened On January 29th? President George W. Bush, America's 43rd president, strode into the House Chamber on January 29, 2002. Just a few months after the September 11th attacks, the nation was still eager for answers and reassurance. In what would become a defining moment of his presidency, Bush delivered his first State of the Union address, a speech that pronounced: the "axis of evil." To start, Bush honored the fallen heroes of "9/11" to unify the spirit of the nation. Along with that, he discussed and gave updates about the ongoing war in Afghanistan to further create a sense of camaraderie.  But the mood shifted as Bush addressed to the perceived threats simmering beneath the surface. With a steely gaze, he declared, "States like these, and their terrorist ...

What Happened On January 24th? On January 24, 1989, one of America's most notorious serial killers, Ted Bundy, was executed. The heinous crimes that he committed is often associated with those of Jeffrey Dahmer, as both serial killers targeted a specific demographic and were extremely cunning with their actions. On the day of his execution at Florida State Prison's electric chair, Bundy's victims' families, law enforcement, and the public awaited the closure that the execution would bring. The atmosphere outside the prison was gravely tense. Ted Bundy On Trial In his final moments, Bundy maintained an air of stoicism. The families of his victims sought closure, hoping for some semblance of remorse. However, his last words included a vague confession but lacked a comprehensive ...

What Happened On January 20th? On January 20th, 2009, America gathered on the West Front of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. This wasn't just any Inauguration Day; it was a day etched in history, a day where the first black man became the president of the country.   Barack Obama's First Inauguration (2009) Barack Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and an American mother, stood poised to become the first African-American president of the United States. His election had shattered racial barriers and ignited a spark of hope across the nation. Over 1.8 million people, a record-breaking crowd, converged on the National Mall, eager to witness history.   Large Crowd Gathered On The National Mall for Barack Obama The ceremony itself was a tapestry of symbolism, an inc...

What Happened On January 14th?   In the year 1979, on this very date, President Jimmy Carter etched his name in America's historical narrative by ardently recognizing the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday. This singular act transcended the political arena, resonating deeply with the timely ideals of justice. President Carter's declaration on that consequential day carried a weight and authenticity that surpassed mere political rhetoric. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. King—a man whose tireless pursuit of equality left an indelible mark on our nation. It is only fitting that we honor his legacy with a day of national significance," he eloquently stated. These weren't just words; they were a genuine acknowledgment of the profound ...

What Happened On January 10th? On a rather chilly winter day in Cleveland, Ohio, the Standard Oil Trust was born along the shores of Lake Erie. On this day in 1870, an entity was developed that dominated the American oil industry, impacting the nation's economy for decades. John D. Rockefeller, who lived all the way up until 97 years of age, was no stranger to the oil business, having been involved in various ventures before conceptualizing the idea of the Standard Oil Trust. His keen business acumen and ability to foresee opportunities set him apart. The city's industrial vibrancy and strategic location made it an ideal birthplace for an enterprise that would shape the future. Rockefeller envisioned a vertically integrated monopoly that would control every aspect of the oil industry – f...

What Happened On January 8th? The Battle of New Orleans, a deciding battle in the War of 1812, stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit and strategic brilliance of Major General Andrew Jackson. The stage was set on January 8, 1815, when a small, poorly-equipped American force under Jackson's command faced a formidable British army of nearly eight thousand troops. Jackson, a seasoned military leader with a reputation for tenacity, had been tasked with defending the city of New Orleans from British invasion. The odds were starkly against him—his forces comprised a diverse coalition of soldiers, including regular army units, local militia, free people of color, and even pirates. In contrast, the British, fresh from the Napoleonic Wars, were a highly disciplined and experienced military...