Author: Ye Olde History Teacher

May 22, 1856 – Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner was attacked and savagely beaten at his desk on the floor of the Senate by South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks in retaliation for a speech Sumner made in which he excoriated Brooks’ uncle, Senator Andrew Butler, for his support for slavery. Continue reading “This Week in History – May 22”

May 14, 1607 – the first permanent English settlement in North America was established at Jamestown, Virginia, by settlers sent by the Virginia Company of London. Continue reading “This Week in History – May 14”

May 4, 1970 – four college students were shot and killed by National Guardsmen at Kent State University in Ohio during a protest against the decision by President Nixon to invade Cambodia. Continue reading “This Week in History – May 4”

April 30, 1789 – George Washington became the first U.S. President as he took the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. Continue reading “This Week in History – April 30”

April 21, 1836 – Texas General Sam Houston’s forces defeated those of Mexican President Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, paving the way for Texas’ independence from Mexico. Continue reading “This Week in History – April 21”

April 14, 1865 – President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head and fatally wounded by a Confederate sympathizing actor, John Wilkes Booth, while watching a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theater in Washington. Continue reading “This Week in History – April 14”

April 6, 1994 – Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana was assassinated, triggering a 100 day reign of terror during which approximately 800,000 Rwandans were slaughtered by their fellow Rwandans. Continue reading “This Week in History – April 6”

February 2, 1848 – The war between the U.S. and Mexico (the Mexican-American War) ended with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. In exchange for $15 million, the U.S. acquired the areas encompassing parts or all of present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas. The U.S. started the war to acquire those territories when Mexico refused to sell. The treaty was ratified on March 10, 1848. Continue reading “This Week in History – Feb. 2”

January 24, 1895– Hawaii’s monarchy ended as Queen Liliuokalani was forced to abdicate after an armed coup on January 17 led by American sugar planters. Hawaii was then annexed by the U.S. It remained a U.S. territory until statehood was granted in 1959. Continue reading “This Week in History – Jan. 24”

January 15, 1777 – Vermont declared independence from England and New York. It would remain a quasi-independent nation until 1792, when it joined the US as the 14^th state. Continue reading “This Week in History – Jan. 15”