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 […]
THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT’S JORNEY TO GENDER EQUALITY IN AMERICA
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of their sex. The amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923 and after many years of debate and controversy, it was finally approved by the U.S. Senate on March 22nd, 1972. […]
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 […]
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 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 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 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 […]
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 […]
WOODROW WILSON’S DECISION TO SIGN THE STANDARD TIME ACT CHANGES AMERICA FOREVER
On March 19th, 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act into law, which established Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States. This legislation also gave the federal government oversight of the country’s time zones. The purpose of DST is to conserve energy by extending daylight hours during the summer months. The […]
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 […]
