#OTD in #History 1775, the Battles of Lexington & Concord ignited. In a bid to put down colonial unrest, the British instead sparked the #RevWar , inspiring thousands to take up arms on behalf of American liberty. #JohnAdams reflected, “the Die was cast, the Rubicon crossed.” #USA

#OTD in #History , 1775, #PaulRevere , William Dawes, & Samuel Prescott warned #Massachusetts ' countryside, the British 'Regulars are coming out.' The tale has been mythicized, but the true story is just as inspiring; for it prepared our #Patriots for the onset of the #RevWar . #USA

#OTD in #History 1961, the #BayofPigs invasion was launched by US-trained Cuban exiles to ignite a counterrevolution vs #FidelCastro . But soon after it failed, #Cuba embraced socialism & the USSR sought to protect Cuba by placing nuclear missiles at striking distance of the #USA .

#OTD in #History , 1862, slavery was abolished in #WashingtonDC . “I trust I am not dreaming,” #FrederickDouglass joyously reacted. But the act was “not only a staggering blow to slavery...but a killing blow to the rebellion—and the beginning of the end for both.” #EmancipationDay

#OTD in #History , 1865, #Lincoln died. “No man who knew Abraham Lincoln, could hate him,” #FrederickDouglass eulogized. Rather, he was killed “solely because he was…the faithful, loyal President of the #UnitedStates —true to his country, and true to the cause of human freedom.'

#OTD in #History 1775, America’s 1st abolitionist group was founded in #Philadelphia . It won gradual emancipation in #Pennsylvania ; & in 1790—after #FoundingFather #BenjaminFranklin became its leader—it sent #Congress its 1st petition for a ban on slavery in the 'land of Freedom'

#OTD in #History 1743, #ThomasJefferson was born. He was our 3rd #POTUS & authored the #DeclarationofIndependence . This legacy was honored on his 200th birthday: “In the midst of a great war for freedom” #FDR declared, 'we dedicate' the #JeffersonMemorial as “a shrine to freedom”

#OTD in #History 1861, Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter, starting the #CivilWar . Yet exactly 4 years later, the #USflag was rehoisted over the fort. 'That long night is ended' a witness said. 'No more war, no more accursed secession, no more slavery that spawned them both'

#OTD in #History 1865, #AbrahamLincoln gave his final speech. After Appomattox, thousands came to hear the #POTUS . But after he said he favored certain voting rights for Blacks, a Southern sympathizer in the crowd—John Wilkes Booth—said 'that is the last speech he will ever make'

Want to learn more? Join us tomorrow for the next webinar in our Constitutional Amendment Series. Senate Historian Dr. Katherine A. Scott joins us to discuss how the 17th Amendment came to be, and its impact on electoral politics. Register for free: bit.ly/3xugR

New Zealand Embassy staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade were pleased to join with US Capitol Historical Society for an informative tour of the US Capitol last week. Lots of great history on show in the heart of US democracy 🇳🇿🇺🇸🏛️

#OTD in #History , 1912, #Titanic set sail from England for #NYC . 4 days into its maiden voyage, it struck an iceberg and sank. Since 100 Americans died, #Congress opened an investigation. Reforms were also enacted, including a mandate that ships have lifeboats for each passenger.

#OTD in #History , 1865, Lee surrendered at Appomattox, effectively ending the #CivilWar . But Grant “felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had...suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was...one of the worst for which a people ever fought.'

#OTD in #History 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified. Senators had been chosen by statehouses thought corrupt. But as Rep. William Jennings Bryan argued, if people 'have enough intelligence' to elect a 'State legislature…they have enough intelligence to choose' their Senators.

#OTD in #History , 1922, Interior Sec. Fall leased oil reserves to private drillers for bribes. The leases caught the attention of #Congress . Its investigation revealed—at the time—the largest #WhiteHouse scandal yet, #TeapotDome , & led #SCOTUS to affirm Congress’ oversight power.

#OTD in #History 1917, #Congress declared war on Germany, with overwhelming majorities voting for entry into #WW1 . “We are going to war,” a Senator announced, “to vindicate our honor and to maintain our independence as a great nation. We are going to war…in defense of humanity.”

#OTD in #History 1792, #GeorgeWashington exercised the 1st Presidential veto. The #USConstitution grants the #POTUS the power to reject #Congress ' laws—which it can still override with a 2/3 vote in both chambers—thus creating a system of checks & balances in the #USA government.

#OTD in #History 1841, William Henry Harrison died in office. VP John Tyler made the unprecedented—& disputed—decision to take the #POTUS oath of office. #Congress affirmed the precedent, which was followed 7 times in 125 years until the 25th Amendment put it in the Constitution.

#OTD in #History , 1948, #POTUS Truman signed the Marshall Plan. By 1951, #Congress allocated $13.3 billion to rebuild post- #WW2 Europe. 'Seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured,' Truman said, 'when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive.”

#OTD in #History , 1917, #POTUS Wilson asked #Congress for war vs Germany: “Neutrality is no longer feasible...where the #peace of the world is involved & the freedom of its peoples.” 4 days later, Congress voted to enter #WW1 & strive toward making the world “safe for democracy.”