This Day In History

On December 8, 1831, the man who shaped one of the most iconic buildings in American history—James Hoban—died in Washington, DC. Although his name isn’t as well known as the presidents who lived in his masterpiece, Hoban’s work left a permanent mark on the nation. As the architect of the White House, he helped design not only a home for America’s leaders but also a symbol of the country’s identity. His life story stretches from rural Ireland to the heart of the young United States, where his talent built the setting for generations of American history.

On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, making it America’s first state. But its quick decision wasn’t just a race to the finish—it marked the beginning of a new national identity, driven by bold choices, fierce debates, and a vote that helped shape the country we know today.

Nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln first declared enslaved people in the Confederacy free, the United States finally took the decisive step that ended slavery everywhere in the country. With the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865, the country closed the door on a system that had shaped—and scarred—America since its earliest days. Getting there, however, required a long, bitter, and politically complicated struggle that stretched across the final years of the Civil War.

International Volunteer Day (IVD), officially known as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, is celebrated every year on December 5. Its purpose is to highlight the essential role volunteers play in communities around the world and to encourage even more people to serve. While it was first observed in 1986, its origins trace back to earlier United Nations efforts to strengthen global development through volunteerism.

On December 2, 1980, President Jimmy Carter established Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Today the park is part of one of the world’s largest international protected areas.

On October 4, 1927, work officially began on one of America’s most iconic monuments: the carving of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The project was led by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, whose vision and persistence transformed a simple idea into a towering symbol of national pride and unity.

On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation establishing Redwood National Park, protecting some of the most spectacular trees on Earth. This act was the result of decades of effort by conservationists who feared that these natural giants might vanish forever if logging continued unchecked. Today, the park stands not only as a refuge for the towering redwoods but also as a symbol of America’s growing awareness of the importance of preserving its natural treasures.

On September 24, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt took a historic step in the protection of America’s natural and cultural treasures when he proclaimed Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming as the first United States National Monument. This designation, made under the brand-new Antiquities Act of 1906, marked the beginning of a tradition of preserving special landscapes for future generations — a legacy that continues today in more than a hundred national monuments across the country.

Andrew “Rube” Foster died on December 9, 1930. Known as the “Father of Black Baseball,” he created the Negro National League, the first major professional baseball league for African American athletes.

On December 9, 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on television. It marked a number of firsts, won multiple awards, and became a holiday tradition for millions of Americans.

Author Joel Chandler Harris was born on December 9, 1848, in Eatonton, Georgia. He’s best known for his folklore tales of Uncle Remus and the Brer Rabbit.

On December 9, 1979 the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication completed their task, confirming the disease would no longer be spread naturally.