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Bill of Rights: Part One
This is part one of a a two-part episode. On this date in 1791, the United States Bill of Rights became law when the state of Virginia ratified it. Here are some things you may not have known about the story behind the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. The Constitution of the United States […]
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Tacoma Narrows Bridge: The Ballad of Galloping Gertie
On this date in 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed in a windstorm. Here are some things you may not have known about the bridge known as Galloping Gertie. The Tacoma Narrows, is, as its name would imply, a narrow strait in the southern Puget Sound between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington state. […]
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The Dakotas: Six Things You Probably Didn’t Know
On this date in 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th states in the US. Here are six things you may not have known about the Dakotas. The states were admitted at the same time, but because North Dakota comes before South Dakota in the alphabet, North Dakota is considered the […]
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Bugs in the Embassy: A Diplomatic Incident
On this date in 1985, construction on the new American Embassy in Moscow was suspended after listening devices were discovered. Here are some things you may not have known about the diplomatic incident. Construction on the new American Embassy began in 1979, using Soviet workers. In 1985 the Americans discovered that the columns holding the […]
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Battle of Yorktown: The End of the Revolutionary War
On this date in 1781, British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington, effectively ending the American Revolutionary War. Here are six things you may not have known about the Battle of Yorktown. The battle was known as “The German Battle” in Germany. About one-third of the 27,000 troops involved in the battle were […]
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Columbus Day Storm: Six Things You Didn’t Know
On this date in 1962, the western coast of the United States and Canada was hit by what is said to be the strongest storm in the region’s recorded history. Here are some things you may not have known about the Columbus Day Storm. • The storm began as a tropical storm named Freda near […]
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Khrushchev Visits the United States
On this date in 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev began a two-week tour of the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Khrushchev’s visit was preceded by American Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to Moscow in July of 1959. During Nixon’s visit, he engaged in a wide-ranging debate with […]
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Labor Day: Celebrating Workers Since 1894
Put away your white clothes and seersucker, today is Labor Day in the United States and Canada. Here are some things you may not have known about the holiday. In the U.S. the holiday was created to honor the American labor movement and workers’ contributions to the country. The originator of the idea is disputed, […]
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Election Special: Third Parties
The American political system is dominated by two major parties, the Democrats on the left, and the Republicans on the right. However other parties have a long history of affecting the outcome of elections and changing the priorities of the major parties. Today, we’ll look at the history of so-called third parties in the United […]
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Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond
On this date in 1862, the Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress. Here are some things you may not have known about America’s highest military honor. The medal is sometimes known as the Congressional Medal of Honor, as it is awarded by the President in the name of the Congress, although […]