This Day in History

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 22. In 1859, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is born. He was the creator of the famous fiction detective Sherlock Homes. In 1939, the Pact of Steel is signed, forming an alliance between Germany and Italy. Japan would join later

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 21. In 1881, notable American nurse Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross, a non-profit organization centered around providing medical assistance and disaster relief. Over its near 150-year history, it has helped spearhead humanitarian efforts in the aftermaths of

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 20. In 1862, the Homestead Act is signed by 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. The act allowed any adult citizen over the age of 21 to claim an upwards of 160 acres of surveyed government land. Conditions included the

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 19. In 1536, Anne Boleyn is beheaded for treason related to the birth of her daughter, Elizabeth. The second wife of King Henry VIII, she was tried for charges related to conspiring against him. This was during his push

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 18. In 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of John Howard Ferguson in Plessy v. Ferguson, marking “separate but equal” laws constitutional. The plaintiff, Homer A. Plessy, was charged with violating the State of Louisiana’s Separate Car

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 17. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court decides in a landmark ruling that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education. The case stemmed from a girl named Linda Brown, who was denied admission to

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 16. In 1918, the U.S. Congress passes the Sedition Act, which essentially criminalized anti-war activism and public dissent against the government. This was one year after the U.S. got involved in World War I, which was once promised to

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 15. In 1942, the first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps are organized, allowing women to be officially inducted into the U.S. military. However, due to public opinion at the time, women were never sent to the frontlines during World War

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 14. In 1607, around 100 settlers from London arrive to what would become the colony of Jamestown. Known as the Virginia Company, they were chartered by King James I to build and establish a permanent settlement in the New

Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, May 13. In 1846, the United States Congress formally declares war on Mexico, sparking the Mexican-American War. This dispute originated from the 1845 annexation of Texas and the proposed purchase of land along the Rio Grande River. The Mexican government