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 […]

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 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 […]