The United States Coast Guard, charged with the mission of ensuring the nation’s maritime safety, security and stewardship, was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton on this day in history, August 4, 1790. Originally called the Revenue Marine Service, the Coast Guard was founded eight years before the U.S. Navy. “The Coast Guard...
The Statue of Liberty, perhaps the most celebrated symbol of American ideals and exceptionalism, reopened after the 9/11 attacks on this day in history, August 3, 2004. The globally recognized landmark had been closed to the public for nearly three years following the destruction of the nearby World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Lady...
On this day in history, Aug. 2, 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Hatch Act of 1939 — known formally as An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities — into U.S. federal law, according to History.com. This legislation prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government from engaging in some...
Three American citizens and one American green-card holder were released from Russian custody on Thursday as part of a massive swap of political prisoners involving the United States and Russia. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and fellow American Alsu Kurmasheva were among those released as well as Vladimir Kara-Murza....
Jerry Garcia, celebrated musician, tireless live performer and master of American musical traditions, was born in San Francisco on this day in history, Aug. 1, 1942. Garcia is best known as the prolific songwriter, lead guitarist and most visible face of The Grateful Dead. The band grew out of the West Coast counterculture of the...
J.K. Rowling, the pen name of Joanne Rowling, was born on this day in history on July 31, 1965. The British author is the creator of the wildly popular and critically acclaimed Harry Potter book series, about a young sorcerer-in-training, as Britannica.com and other sources note. The “K” stands for Kathleen, her paternal grandmother’s name,...
On this day in history, July 30, 1956, the 84th Congress passed a joint resolution declaring “IN GOD WE TRUST” to be the national motto of the United States, according to History.com. Passing in both the House and the Senate unanimously and without debate, the resolution replaced “E pluribus unum,” which had existed before as...
The United States dared to boldly go where no man had gone before when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on this day in history, July 29, 1958. The legislation established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The act was a direct response to the success of the Soviet...
The critically acclaimed movie “On the Waterfront”was released on this day in history, July 28, 1954 — presenting a powerful account of union corruption. The film featured one of Marlon Brando’s most memorable performances, according to Britannica.com. The film received critical praise and industry accolades for its acting, directing and moviemaking. ON THIS DAY IN...
Today is Bugs Bunny’s 83rd birthday — it was on this day in history, July 27, 1940, Bugs Bunny debuted in “A Wild Hare,” a short animated film released by Warner Brothers. The cotton-tailed friend has become known in pop culture for his iconic question: “What’s up, Doc?” The basic plot of “A Wild Hare”...
