THE END OF AN ERA: THE U.S. CONGRESS OUTLAWS POLYGAMY AND CHANGES AMERICAN SOCIETY FOREVER
On March 22nd, 1882, the United States Congress passed the Edmunds Act, which outlawed polygamy in the United States. The Act was a response to the practice of polygamy among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, which had become a controversial issue in the United […]
SENSELESS TRAGEDY: REMEMBERING THE DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED U.S. NAVY COMMISSIONER
On March 22nd, 1820, the United States Navy suffered a great loss with the death of one of its most distinguished officers, Stephen Decatur. Decatur was not lost in battle or in a heroic naval engagement, but rather in a senseless duel with a fellow officer, James Barron. The duel was the result of a […]
THE U.S. BOYCOTTS THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN PROTEST
On March 21st, 1980, U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced that the United States would boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. This decision was made in response to the Soviet Union’s military intervention in Afghanistan, which began in December 1979. The invasion of Afghanistan was viewed by many […]
ROCKING INTO HISTORY: THE WORLD’S FIRST ROCK AND ROLL CONCERT IN CLEVELAND, OHIO
On March 21st, 1952, the world witnessed the birth of a new genre of music: rock and roll. The venue was the Cleveland Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and the performer was none other than the legendary Alan Freed, a local DJ who had been playing a mix of rhythm and blues, jazz, and country music […]
THE ICONIC RECORDING OF ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA’
On March 21st, 1939, Kate Smith recorded what would become one of the most iconic patriotic songs in American history: “God Bless America.” The song, written by Irving Berlin, was originally intended for a Broadway musical but was ultimately cut from the production. Berlin held onto the song for over 20 years before giving it […]
BREAKING THE GOLD STANDARD:LBJ’S BOLD MOVE TO REVOLUTIONIZE U.S. CURRENCY
On March 20th, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a bill that removed the gold backing from U.S. paper money. The move was a significant departure from previous monetary policy and represented a major shift in the way the U.S. government managed its currency. Before the bill was signed, U.S. paper money was […]
THE INFAMOUS JESSE JAMES GANG STRIKES AGAIN: ROBBING A BANK IN RUSSELLVILLE KENTUCKY FOR $14,000
On March 20th, 1868, the infamous Jesse James Gang struck again, robbing a bank in Russellville, Kentucky, of $14,000. This was just one of many successful heists carried out by the gang during their notorious career. The Jesse James Gang, which included Jesse James and his brother Frank James, began their criminal activities during the […]
THE BIRTH OF A POLITICAL FORCE: HOW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS FORMED
On March 20th, 1854, a meeting of Whigs, anti-Nebraska Democrats, and Free-Soilers took place in Ripon, Wisconsin. This meeting was proposed with the intention of forming a new political party, which would later become known as the Republican Party. The meeting was held in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed the people of these […]
THE BIRTH OF A LEGEND: BOB DYLAN’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM
On March 19th, 1962, Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut album to mixed reviews. At the time, Dylan was a relatively unknown folk singer, but his unique style of songwriting and performance would quickly make him a legend. The album features 13 tracks, including original compositions like “Song to Woody” and “Talkin’ New York,” as […]
ROLLING THE DICE: NEVADA’S LEGALIZATION OF GAMBLING
On March 19th, 1931, Nevada legalized gambling, paving the way for casinos in the state, most notably in Las Vegas. This decision has had a lasting impact on the state’s economy and culture. Before the legalization of gambling, Nevada was a sparsely populated state with a struggling economy. However, the legalization of gambling allowed for […]
