Transcontinental railroad completes, unifying US
On this day in US history, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met in Utah to drive the last ceremonial railroad spike that connected the line…
Woodrow Wilson proclaims the first Mother’s Day
On this day in US history, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that established the first national Mother’s Day on May 9, 1914. The idea for the special day…
Allied Nations Worldwide Celebrate V-E Day
On this day in US history, the United States, along with other Allied countries, celebrated the first Victory in Europe Day on May 8, 1945. Cities across the Allied countries…
First Japanese Immigrant arrives in the US
On this day in US history, a 14-year-old fisherman named Manjiro is believed to be America’s first Japanese immigrant after he arrived in the US on a whaling ship on…
Hindenburg Crashes in New Jersey killing dozens
On this day in US history, the airship known as Hindenburg burst into flames after touching the docking tower in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36 on board the aircraft on…
Alan Shepard becomes First American in Space
On this day in US history, Navy Commander Alan Shepard Jr. was launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American to travel to space on May…
National Guard Murders Four Students at Kent State
On this day in US history, National Guardsmen who were called in to keep the peace at an anti-war protest on Kent State’s campus killed four students and wounded nine…
Earthquake Strikes Wisconsin
This week in Wisconsin history, a strong earthquake shook a 3,000-mile area in Southeastern Wisconsin on May 6, 1947. Despite the magnitude being a near 3.8, there was little damage,…
The Battle of the Coral Sea Begins
On this day in US history, the first modern naval engagement in history began on May 3, 1942. After having broken Japan’s secret war code, the US intercepted a transmission…
Allied Forces resolve argument over whether to deploy US troops on the Western Front
On this day in US history, a conference of Allied military leaders argued over whether or not to deploy US troops on the Western Front in World War I on…