Video: 'Rhode Island: A Tour of the 50 States [13]'
(Saturday, May 29, 1790) — Rhode Island, located in the New England region of the United States, became the 13th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution today, thereby becoming the last of the original founding colonies to enter the Union. Continue reading Rhode Island becomes last of original 13 states to ratify U.S. Constitution 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1790)
Video: '#10 John Tyler'
(Monday, March 29, 1790) — John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States (1841-1845) and the tenth vice president of the U.S. during the administration of President William Henry Harrison (1841), was born today in Charles City County, Virginia. Continue reading U.S. President John Tyler born in Charles City County, Virginia 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1790)
Video: 'The Man Who Wouldn't Be King'
(Friday, December 14, 1799, between 10:00-11:00 p.m. local time) — George Washington, the first president of the United States (1789-1797), died tonight from acute epiglottitis at his Mount Vernon plantation near Alexandria, Virginia, at age 67. Continue reading Former U.S. President George Washington dies 220 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1799)
Video: 'When was the first parachute jump? Andre Jacques Garnerin (Google Doodle)'
(Monday, October 22, 1797) — French balloonist Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute descent today, landing safely from a height of about 3,000 feet over Paris. Continue reading André-Jacques Garnerin makes first parachute jump 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 22 1797)
Video: 'John Adams' Inaugural Address, March 4, 1797 by John Adams'
(Saturday, March 4, 1797, midday local time) — Vice President John Adams of Massachusetts was inaugurated today as the second President of the United States in the House of Representatives Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth administering the oath of office. Continue reading Adams inaugurated as second U.S. President, Jefferson as second VP 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1797)
Video: 'How the Cotton Gin Changed America'
(Friday, March 14, 1794) — Eli Whitney today received a patent for his cotton gin, an invention that revolutionized America’s cotton industry, but the patent was not validated until 1807.
Video: Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France (parts 1-12)
(Wednesday, September 18, 1793, 12:15 p.m. local time; during the French Revolution) — Marie Antoinette, widow of Louis XVI and convicted by the National Convention for treason to the principles of the French Revolution, was guillotined today at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde) in Paris. She was 37.
Video: 'Terror: Robespierre and the French Revolution' (parts 1-6)
(Thursday, September 5, 1793, during the French Revolution) — The Reign of Terror, a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions and marked by mass executions of “enemies of the revolution,” began today as the National Convention instituted harsh measures to repress counter-revolutionary activities. Continue reading Reign of Terror begins during French Revolution 220 years ago today (1793)
Video: 'La Marseillaise, French National Anthem (Fr/En)'
(Tuesday, April 24, 1792) — “La Marseillaise,” the national anthem of France, was composed today by Captain Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle.
Video: Overture from the 'Barber of Seville'
(Wednesday, February 29, 1792) — Composer Gioachino Antonio Rossini, best-known for the opera The Barber of Seville, was born today in Pesaro, Italy.
