On this day in 1814, United States soldiers raised this 30′ x 42′ foot garrison flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore to celebrate a critical victory over the British during the War of 1812: Seeing those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem entitled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” It soon became the song we know as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and eventually, Our national anthem. In turn, that flag, and […]
On this day in 1945, by order of President Harry S. Truman, the American bomber Enola Gay drops a five-ton atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The aim was to bring the war to an abrupt end, and to avoid an invasion of Japan and the subsequent likelihood of massive American casualties. Then, on August 9th, the United States drops a second atom bomb, this time on Nagasaki, at last resulting in Japan’s unconditional surrender. A third was […]
On this day in 1790, Congress authorizes Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s plan for having a fleet of ten cutters built to protect America’s coastline. This initial iteration was known as the “Revenue Marine.” Our guide, Our fame, Our glory First, here are a few excerpts from “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready), The Official Coast Guard Marching Song: We’re always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee. Through surf and storm and howling gale, High […]
On this day in 1923, Calvin Coolidge is sworn in as the 30th President of the United States. President Warren G. Harding was in the midst of his “Voyage of Understanding,” a cross-country speaking tour. However, on August 2nd, he died after an apparent heart attack or stroke at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Harding was the sixth of eight presidents to die in office. A few hours later, Vice President Calvin Coolidge received word of […]
On this day in 1776, fifty-six delegates of the Second Continental Congress add their signatures to the Declaration of Independence. Eight of these 56 signers were born in Great Britain. Exactly one month prior, on July 2nd, the Congress accepted this resolution put forth by Richard Henry Lee: “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political […]
On this day in 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the law establishing In God We Trust as the official motto of the United States. The motto had been in use, unofficially, since 1864. First, however, in 1863, Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase wrote this to the Mint Director: “I approve your mottoes, only suggesting that on that with the Washington obverse the motto should begin with the word OUR, so as to read OUR […]
On this day in 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon. They were 240,000 miles from Earth. As Armstrong set foot on the surface, he famously said: “that’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Buzz Aldrin joined him there a few minutes later. Then, they took terrain photographs, ran tests, planted a American flag, and spoke with President Richard Nixon. Communion on […]
On this day in 1767, John Quincy Adams is born. He was the sixth U.S. president, and the son of the second U.S. president, John Adams. As a boy, he went with his father on diplomatic missions, then entered the legal profession after his schooling. As a young man, he served as minister to the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, and England. John Quincy Adams became a Republican Senator, and helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War […]
On this day in 1776, legend has it, the “Liberty Bell” rings out from the the tower of what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Bell is bronze. More specifically, it is 70% copper, 25% tin, with small amounts of lead, gold, arsenic, silver, and zinc. It weighs in at 2,080 pounds. Even weightier is the inscription on the bell, […]
On this day in 1775, the Continental Congress issues a Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. The desired effect was for King George III to recognize the “severe and oppressive… tyranny” of Parliament and his ministers. That it was one day after the Olive Branch Petition underscores the tension of the times. Even so, the king sided with Parliament. Thus, Congress had no choice but to proceed from a Declaration of Arms to a Declaration of Independence. After […]
On July 4th 1776, in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. This document for the ages proclaimed the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. First, Our Declaration contains several references to Almighty God, active in Our affairs. They are as follows: “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,” “Creator,” “Supreme Judge of the world,” and “divine Providence.” Self-evidently Here they are in their context: “When […]