Birth of Bret Harte
Writer Francis Bret Harte was born on August 25, 1836, in Albany, New York.
Famous Americans
Robert E. Lee Attempts to Resign
On August 8, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee penned a letter to Jefferson Davis offering to resign in the wake of his loss at Gettysburg.
Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn
On June 25, 1876, Civil War hero George A. Custer died at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Happy Birthday Dolley Madison
Our nation’s third First Lady was born Dolley Payne in Piedmont, North Carolina, on May 20, 1768.
Happy Birthday Bette Davis
Actress Ruth “Bette” Elizabeth Davis was born on April 5, 1908, in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Death of Benjamin West
Artist Benjamin West died on March 11, 1820, in London, United Kingdom.
America Adopts National Anthem
On March 3, 1931, America officially adopted “The Star Spangled Banner” as its national anthem.
Happy Birthday W.C. Fields
Comedian William Claude Dukenfield (better known as W. C. Fields) was born on January 29, 1880, in Darby, Pennsylvania.
Paine’s Common Sense Published
On January 10, 1776, Common Sense, a persuasive pamphlet encouraging Americans to declare independence from Great Britain, was published anonymously.