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Today in History: Military Enforcement of Fugitive Slave Act Suspended
Today in 1862, the federal government suspended military enforcement of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, forbidding union troops from returning fugitive slaves. The law required individual citizens to...
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Today in History: William Blount was Born
Today in 1749, William Blount was born. A prominent American politician that often goes overlooked, he signed the United States Constitution and helped spearhead an effort to ratify the document at...
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Today in History: Ratification of the Rush-Bagot Treaty
Today in history, on April 16, 1818, the United States Senate ratified the Rush-Bagot Treaty, establishing and demilitarizing the northern border with British Canada. Named after United States...
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Thomas Paine: Whistleblower.
Prior to the Franco-American alliance of 1778, and while France was technically neutral, American commissioner Silas Deane profited greatly by skimming money from a clandestine system that transferred...
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Today in History: Patrick Henry Becomes Virginia’s First Governor Under Its...
Today in 1776, Patrick Henry was inaugurated as Virginia’s first governor. The event marked the first time in history where a republican governor took office under a constitution written and ratified...
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Today in History: David Crockett Born
Today in history, on Aug. 17, 1786, David “Davy” Crockett was born. From the humble beginnings of a poor family, Crockett developed a skill for marksmanship at a young age. As a young child, he was...
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Today in History: 100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Despite what is usually said about the 19th Amendment, it only prohibited states from using sex as disqualifying criteria...
View ArticleToday in History: Bill of Rights Sent to States for Ratification
Today in 1789, President of the United States George Washington sent proposed copies of the Bill of Rights to the state governments which were to consider, debate, and decide whether or not to adopt...
View ArticleToday in History: Election of 1800 Ends in Tie
Today in 1800, electors in the states cast ballots that resulted in an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr in the United States presidential election. The contest was the product of a...
View ArticleToday in History: Philadelphia and the Compromise of 1790
Today in 1790, Congress moved the seat of government from New York to Philadelphia. The transition was the product of a political compromise, a 10-year interim solution before the capitol would be...
View ArticleToday in History: Lafayette Enters the Continental Army
Today in 1776, Gilbert du Motier, more commonly known as Marquis de Lafayette, arranged entry into the Continental Army as a major general. Born into a rich and noble French family, Lafayette became...
View ArticleToday in History: Pennsylvania Becomes 2nd State to Ratify the Constitution
Today in history, on Dec. 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution. The event was the culmination of a bitter fight in Philadelphia between delegates both...
View ArticleToday in History: The Boston Tea Party
Today in 1773, a group of Bostonians dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded three British ships and dumped several tons of tea into Boston Harbor. The event became known as the “Boston Tea Party,” or the...
View ArticleToday in History: Woodrow Wilson Signs the Federal Reserve Act
Today in 1913, The Federal Reserve Act was signed into law by Woodrow Wilson. One of the most deplorable laws in the history of the United States, the act allowed for a cartel of banks to establish a...
View ArticleToday in History: Washington Resigns Command of Continental Army
Today in history, on Dec. 23, 1783, George Washington resigned command of the Continental Army. Bringing his sword to the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Washington refused to forcibly seize...
View ArticleToday in History: Vice President John Calhoun Resigns from Office
Today in 1832, Vice President of the United States John Calhoun resigned from office after an ideological break with President Andrew Jackson. He became the first vice president to resign. In 1828,...
View ArticleToday in History: John Marshall Becomes Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Today in 1801, John Marshall was appointed the Chief Justice of the United States by President John Adams. Nominated at a time of severe partisan discord, Adams hoped Marshall’s appointment would help...
View ArticleToday in History: James Madison Vetoes Infrastructure Spending Bill
Today in 1817, President James Madison vetoed the Bonus Bill of 1817 – a plan that called for the federal construction of various roads, bridges, and canals throughout the country. In a letter to...
View ArticleToday in History: John Randolph of Roanoke Born
Today in 1773, John Randolph of Roanoke was born. A Virginian cousin to Thomas Jefferson, Randolph was also related to many other prominent members of the Virginia gentry, such as Richard Bland, Peyton...
View ArticleFree and Independent States
Today in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. This transpired two days after the passage of the Richard Henry Lee resolution, which made all political...
View ArticleThe Myth of Andrew Jackson vs the Supreme Court
It is often alleged that President Andrew Jackson responded to the Marshall Court’s 1832 opinion in Worcester v. Georgia by the quip that “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!”...
View ArticleJames Iredell Born Today in History
Today in history, on Oct. 5, 1751, James Iredell was born. A brilliant figure of the founding era, he was a legal prodigy at an extremely young age, and played an integral role in North Carolina’s...
View ArticleThomas Paine’s Sedition: The Rights of Man, Part 1
After Thomas Paine released the first part of the Rights of Man, it flew off the bookstalls in England, and printers could not meet the demand it received. It was soon distributed throughout Europe and...
View ArticleThomas Paine’s Declaration of War Against Monarchy
Thomas Paine was likely the most ardent and radical republican of his time, transcending virtually all of his peers. Even so, he tended to separate his trademark disdain for hereditary monarchy in...
View ArticleToday in History: James Polk Born
Today in 1795, future United States President James Polk was born. A Tennessean protégé of Andrew Jackson, he was one of the most influential politicians of his era, and arguably the most successful...
View ArticleToday in History: North Carolina Ratifies the Constitution
Today in 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution, becoming the 12th state to do so. Prior to this, the state had held a first convention in Hillsborough that decided not to ratify, but left...
View ArticleToday in History: Georgia Becomes 4th State to Ratify the Constitution
Today in 1788, Georgia ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the fourth state to do so. There was virtually no opposition to the Constitution’s ratification in in the state and there are...
View ArticleToday in History: John Marshall Nominated as Chief Justice
Today in 1801, John Marshall was appointed the Chief Justice of the United States by President John Adams. Nominated at a time of severe partisan discord, Adams hoped Marshall’s appointment would help...
View ArticleToday in History: Delaware Refuses to Ratify the 13th Amendment
Today in 1865, the legislature of Delaware refused to ratify the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution – which intended to end slavery and indentured servitude in all the states. Some...
View ArticleToday in History: Seven Years War Ended with the Treaty of Paris
Today in history – Feb 10, 1763 – the Treaty of Paris ended the Seven Years War. Solidifying great gains for the British at the expense of France and Spain, the treaty would have long-lasting...
View ArticleToday in History: George Washington Born
Today in history, on Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington, proud Virginian and father of his country, was born. He was an indispensable force in America’s struggle against Britain, and his presence was...
View ArticleToday in History: British Evacuate Boston
Today in history, on March 17, 1776, British forces evacuated Boston after George Washington and Henry Knox set up artillery on Dorchester Heights, overlooking the city. The event was the culmination...
View ArticleToday in History: Shots Fired at Fort Sumter
Today in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln decided to send ships to resupply Fort Sumter after being repeatedly warned by South Carolina that such a gesture would be interpreted as an act of war....
View ArticleToday in History: Roger Sherman Born
Today in 1721, Roger Sherman was born. A pivotal figure of the American founding period, he was only one of only two people to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of the Confederation,...
View ArticleToday in History: James Monroe Born
Today in history – April 28 1758 – James Monroe was born. A pivotal figure throughout the American War of Independence, the ratification struggle, Virginia’s republican transformation, and his...
View ArticleToday in History: Second Continental Congress Convened
Today in history, on May 10, 1775, representatives from the several colonies met in Philadelphia, forming the Second Continental Congress. Its primary purpose was to determine a colonial response to...
View ArticleToday in History: Patrick Henry Inaugurated as Virginia’s 1st Governor
Today in history, on June 29 1776, Patrick Henry was inaugurated as Virginia’s first governor. The event marked the first time in history where a republican governor took office under a constitution...
View ArticleToday in History: John Locke Born
Today history, on Aug 29 1632, political philosopher and theologian John Locke was born. Locke ranks as one of the most influential political philosophers and Enlightenment thinkers. His theories on...
View ArticleToday in History: Samuel Adams was Born
Happy birthday Samuel Adams, Bostonian firebrand of the patriot resistance against Britain! In 1772, he drafted “The Rights of the Colonists,” a succinct defense of individual rights on the basis of...
View ArticlePre-Orders Available for Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism
I am beyond excited to announce that I can now take pre-orders for my upcoming book, Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism, to be released 11/25. Pre-orders here: https://davidbenner.square.site/ If...
View ArticleToday in History: British Surrender at Yorktown
Today in 1781, the Battle of Yorktown concluded with a Franco-American triumph over the British, a decisive conclusion to the American War for Independence. In early 1781, the Franco-American high...
View ArticleToday in History: North Carolina Becomes 12th State to Ratify the Constitution
Today in 1789, North Carolina ratified the Constitution, becoming the 12th state to do so. Prior to this, the state had held a first convention in Hillsborough that decided not to ratify, but left open...
View ArticleThomas Paine: Radical American Hero
My episode of the Tom Woods Show is up! It was a true honor to discuss my new book, Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism with Tom. To order the book (paperback or hardcover, both with personalization...
View ArticleToday in History: Preparations Begin for Impeachment Trial of Justice Samuel...
Today in 1804, the Jeffersonian Republican-controlled United States Senate appointed a committee to plan the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. A signer of the Declaration of...
View ArticleToday in History: Founding Father Hugh Williamson Born
On this date in 1735, Hugh Williamson, a remarkable founding-era figure from North Carolina, was born. Williamson’s name is seldom mentioned alongside the famous characters of his day, but his life was...
View ArticleToday in History: Benedict Arnold Captures and Destroys Richmond
Today in history, on January 5, 1781, much of Richmond, Virginia was burned to the ground by a British naval force led by Benedict Arnold. It was his most significant military retort against his former...
View ArticleToday in History: Second Continental Congress Convenes
On this date in 1775, representatives from the several colonies met in Philadelphia, forming the Second Continental Congress. Its primary purpose was to determine a colonial response to controversial...
View ArticleThomas Paine Played Dodgeball With Death
The are many interesting facets of Thomas Paine’s life, but one that has often gone unmentioned by many other scholars was his capacity to elude an early death. On no less than seven occasions, the...
View ArticleThomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism
Although he has been called “The Father of the American Revolution,” Thomas Paine was perhaps the most unlikely man in the world to carry the torch of American independence. An Englishman who was once...
View ArticleToday in History: Newly Independent American States Sign Treaty of Alliance...
On this date in history – February 6, 1778 – the Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Amity and Commerce were signed in Paris. The agreements established a crucial alliance between the newly seceded...
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