May 13, 1846: The Mexican-American War Begins On this day in 1846, U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico. The Mexican-American War was a defining event for both nations, transforming a continent and forging a new identity for its peoples. By the war’s end in 1848, Mexico had lost nearly half of its territory (the present American Southwest from Texas to California) and the United States had become a continental power.Explore a timeline of the Mexican-American war to learn about events that preceded the war, its battles, and the aftermath. Image: Battle of Veracruz during the Mexican-American War. 1851 Painting by Carl Nebel.
Pop-upView Separately

May 13, 1846: The Mexican-American War Begins

On this day in 1846, U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico. The Mexican-American War was a defining event for both nations, transforming a continent and forging a new identity for its peoples. By the war’s end in 1848, Mexico had lost nearly half of its territory (the present American Southwest from Texas to California) and the United States had become a continental power.

Explore a timeline of the Mexican-American war to learn about events that preceded the war, its battles, and the aftermath.

Image: Battle of Veracruz during the Mexican-American War. 1851 Painting by Carl Nebel.

December 11, 1941: Germany and Italy Declare War on the United States On this day in 1941, Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy’s Benito Mussolini declared war on the United States in support of their ally, the Empire of Japan. The U.S. government responded by quickly passing resolutions of war against the two Axis powers.  Although the United States had previously claimed neutrality in Europe, these declarations led America into the European conflict of World War II. Three days prior, President Franklin Roosevelt had declared war against the Empire of Japan, the third Axis power, following the attack at Pearl Harbor.  Explore Ken Burns’s timeline of World War II to discover the most important and consequential events of this global conflict. Photo: President Roosevelt signing the declaration of war against Germany, Dec. 11, 1941 (Library of Congress).
View Separately

December 11, 1941: Germany and Italy Declare War on the United States

On this day in 1941, Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy’s Benito Mussolini declared war on the United States in support of their ally, the Empire of Japan. The U.S. government responded by quickly passing resolutions of war against the two Axis powers. 

Although the United States had previously claimed neutrality in Europe, these declarations led America into the European conflict of World War II. Three days prior, President Franklin Roosevelt had declared war against the Empire of Japan, the third Axis power, following the attack at Pearl Harbor. 

Explore Ken Burns’s timeline of World War II to discover the most important and consequential events of this global conflict.

Photo: President Roosevelt signing the declaration of war against Germany, Dec. 11, 1941 (Library of Congress).

Source: to.pbs.org

December 10, 1950: Dr. Ralph Bunche Awarded Nobel Peace Prize On this day in 1950, Dr. Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace negotiations during the first Arab-Israeli war in 1949. He was not only a peacemaker, a scholar, and an activist but also the first person of color in the world to receive the Nobel Prize. His personal and professional creed of mediation over conflict is his biggest legacy. Learn more about Dr. Bunche with PBS Black Culture Connection. Then tell us, how do you see his legacy fulfilled today?  Photo: Courtesy of the Ralph Bunche Carl Van Vechten Photographs Collection, Library of Congress
View Separately

December 10, 1950: Dr. Ralph Bunche Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

On this day in 1950, Dr. Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace negotiations during the first Arab-Israeli war in 1949. He was not only a peacemaker, a scholar, and an activist but also the first person of color in the world to receive the Nobel Prize.

His personal and professional creed of mediation over conflict is his biggest legacy. Learn more about Dr. Bunche with PBS Black Culture Connection. Then tell us, how do you see his legacy fulfilled today? 

Photo: Courtesy of the Ralph Bunche Carl Van Vechten Photographs Collection, Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked On this day in 1941, a surprise aerial strike was conducted by the Imperial Japanese navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan’s goal for the attack was to use it as a preventive measure to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions across the world. The surprise attack not only struck a serious blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet, but also served as the critical factor for the United States joining World War II. George Macartney Hunter was a naval officer assigned to the USS West Virginia stationed at Pearl Harbor. Read his journal notes from that day. Photo: A small boat rescues a seaman from the 31,800 ton USS West Virginia burning in the foreground (Library of Congress).
Pop-upView Separately

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked

On this day in 1941, a surprise aerial strike was conducted by the Imperial Japanese navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan’s goal for the attack was to use it as a preventive measure to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions across the world.

The surprise attack not only struck a serious blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet, but also served as the critical factor for the United States joining World War II.

George Macartney Hunter was a naval officer assigned to the USS West Virginia stationed at Pearl Harbor. Read his journal notes from that day.

Photo: A small boat rescues a seaman from the 31,800 ton USS West Virginia burning in the foreground (Library of Congress).

Source: to.pbs.org

November 27, 1095: Pope Urban II Orders First Crusade On this day in 1095, Pope Urban II gave rise to the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to wage war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land. Pope Urban’s brutal and bloody war was the first of seven major military campaigns, known as the Crusades, fought over the next two centuries. Check out FRONTLINE’s interview with Norman Kohn, a Fellow of the British Academy, who explains the how the Crusades got started. Photo: The battle between the Hussite warriors and the Crusaders, Jena Codex, 15th century
View Separately

November 27, 1095: Pope Urban II Orders First Crusade

On this day in 1095, Pope Urban II gave rise to the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to wage war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land. Pope Urban’s brutal and bloody war was the first of seven major military campaigns, known as the Crusades, fought over the next two centuries.

Check out FRONTLINE’s interview with Norman Kohn, a Fellow of the British Academy, who explains the how the Crusades got started.

Photo: The battle between the Hussite warriors and the Crusaders, Jena Codex, 15th century

Source: to.pbs.org

October 12, 1870: Robert E. Lee Dies On this day in 1870, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, died peacefully at his home at the age of 63. When the Civil War began in 1861, Lee sided with the Confederacy and assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia the following year. Lee became known for his strategic war tactics and strong leadership on the battlefield. In 1865, however, Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. To learn more about the life of this central character of the Civil War, explore this American Experience Robert E. Lee photo gallery, which exhibits Lee’s life from childhood to famous general. Photo: Library of Congress
View Separately

October 12, 1870: Robert E. Lee Dies

On this day in 1870, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, died peacefully at his home at the age of 63.

When the Civil War began in 1861, Lee sided with the Confederacy and assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia the following year. Lee became known for his strategic war tactics and strong leadership on the battlefield. In 1865, however, Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

To learn more about the life of this central character of the Civil War, explore this American Experience Robert E. Lee photo gallery, which exhibits Lee’s life from childhood to famous general.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

September 21, 1780: Benedict Arnold Commits Treason On this day in 1780, American General Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre during the American Revolution to discuss handing over West Point, an American fort on the Hudson River in New York, to the British. In return for West Point, John Andre promised Arnold a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. When the plot was foiled, Arnold, a former American hero, became recognized as a traitor. Before committing treason, Arnold was a successful and well-respected general, once referred to as ”the very genius of war” by one of his soldiers.  Check out this Chronicle of the Revolution article that highlights the monument to Benedict Arnold’s leg at the site of the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, where Arnold’s leg was severely wounded. Image: “Benedict Arnold, 1741-1801,” repro. of painting by John Trumbull (Library of Congress)
View Separately

September 21, 1780: Benedict Arnold Commits Treason


On this day in 1780, American General Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre during the American Revolution to discuss handing over West Point, an American fort on the Hudson River in New York, to the British.

In return for West Point, John Andre promised Arnold a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. When the plot was foiled, Arnold, a former American hero, became recognized as a traitor.


Before committing treason, Arnold was a successful and well-respected general, once referred to as ”the very genius of war” by one of his soldiers. 

Check out this Chronicle of the Revolution article that highlights the monument to Benedict Arnold’s leg at the site of the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, where Arnold’s leg was severely wounded.

Image: “Benedict Arnold, 1741-1801,” repro. of painting by John Trumbull (Library of Congress)

Source: to.pbs.org

September 14, 1814 Francis Scott Key writes “The Star-Spangled Banner” On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became the national anthem of the United States of America. Key originally wrote the anthem as a poem entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry” after witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was declared the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.  Explore this timeline for an in-depth look at the events of the War of 1812. Images: Library of Congress 
Pop-upView Separately

September 14, 1814

Francis Scott Key writes “The Star-Spangled Banner”
 
On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became the national anthem of the United States of America. Key originally wrote the anthem as a poem entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry” after witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.
 
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was declared the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March 3, 1931, which was signed by President Herbert Hoover.

 Explore this timeline for an in-depth look at the events of the War of 1812.

Images: Library of Congress
 

Source: to.pbs.org

Sept. 3, 1783: Treaty of Paris Ends the Revolutionary War On this day in 1783, the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Watch these Antiques Roadshow clips to see how much this Revolutionary War canteen and sword are worth today. Image: Benjamin West painting titled “American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain” also sometimes referred to as “Treaty of Paris” (unfinished painting — from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. The British commissioners refused to pose, and the picture was never finished.
View Separately

Sept. 3, 1783: Treaty of Paris Ends the Revolutionary War

On this day in 1783, the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

Watch these Antiques Roadshow clips to see how much this Revolutionary War canteen and sword are worth today.

Image: Benjamin West painting titled “American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain” also sometimes referred to as “Treaty of Paris” (unfinished painting — from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. The British commissioners refused to pose, and the picture was never finished.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 25, 1944:  Paris Liberated from Nazi Occupation On this day in 1944, after four years of Nazi occupation, the city of Paris was liberated by Allied forces.  During the occupation, France experienced complications related to having to house the 300,000 members of the occupying German army.  Food and resources were sparse and citizens were forced to work against their will for the German war effort. Check out this Ken Burns timeline, which outlines major events and photographs in World War II from 1939 to 1945. Photo: Library of Congress
Pop-upView Separately

August 25, 1944:  Paris Liberated from Nazi Occupation

On this day in 1944, after four years of Nazi occupation, the city of Paris was liberated by Allied forces.  During the occupation, France experienced complications related to having to house the 300,000 members of the occupying German army.  Food and resources were sparse and citizens were forced to work against their will for the German war effort.

Check out this Ken Burns timeline, which outlines major events and photographs in World War II from 1939 to 1945.


Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

Top