Phillis Wheatley: America’s First African American Woman Poet Who Spoke Truth to Power

Phillis Wheatley remains a towering figure in early American literature. As the first African American woman — and among the very first enslaved people — to publish a book of poetry, her life and work resonate deeply today. Though born in bondage, her gifted mind and courageous voice reached presidents and patriots, offering praise of liberty…

How FDR Changed Thanksgiving to the Fourth Thursday—and Transformed the Modern Holiday Season

Thanksgiving has long been a cherished American tradition, but its date has not always been fixed. For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, most presidents followed Abraham Lincoln’s Civil War-era declaration and celebrated Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. However, in 1939—during the Great Depression—President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to make a…

Benjamin Rush: A Founding Father Devoted to Education, Public Health, and Civic Virtue

A Versatile and Influential Founder Benjamin Rush is sometimes called “the forgotten Founder,” but his influence on early America was anything but small. Born in 1746 in Pennsylvania, Rush became a leading physician, a civic reformer, and one of the most intellectually energetic voices of the young republic. He signed the Declaration of Independence at…

Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea): Mohawk Leader Who Bridged Cultures During the American Revolution

In the complex story of America’s founding, Joseph Brant—known by his Mohawk name, Thayendanegea—stands out as a leader who navigated two worlds. A warrior, diplomat, and statesman, Brant sought to defend his people’s sovereignty while engaging with global powers during the American Revolution. His legacy reflects the diverse voices and perspectives that shaped early America.…

Cornplanter (Gaiänt’wakê): A Peacemaker Between Nations

When most Americans think of the nation’s founders, names like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson often come to mind. But America’s story is broader and more diverse than those familiar figures. It also includes Native leaders whose courage, diplomacy, and foresight helped shape the early years of the United States. One such leader…

Honoring Service: The History and Legacy of Veterans Day

Each year on November 11, Americans pause to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day stands as a solemn reminder of the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who have defended the nation in times of war and peace. New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen.…

Honoring the Legacy of Susan B. Anthony and the Women’s Suffrage Movement

On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast a vote in the presidential election, an act that would become a defining moment in American history. At a time when women were legally prohibited from voting, Anthony’s action was both bold and groundbreaking, challenging the limitations placed on citizens and asserting the power of the individual…

Crispus Attucks: The First to Fall for American Liberty

In the story of America’s founding, one man’s courage on a cold March night in Boston became a spark that helped ignite a revolution. Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American heritage, is remembered as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre—and the first casualty in the fight for American independence. Crispus…

Orson Welles and The War of the Worlds: The Night America Believed the Martians Had Landed

By 1938, Orson Welles was already recognized as a prodigy. Born in 1915, he grew up with a passion for theater, music, and storytelling. In his early twenties, he had made a name for himself in New York as a daring stage director. His Mercury Theatre, co-founded with producer John Houseman, earned acclaim for modern,…

Marquis de Lafayette: The Hero of Two Revolutions

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was born on September 6, 1757, in the rugged Auvergne region of south-central France. He came from a long line of military aristocrats, and his family’s legacy was inseparable from service to the French crown. His father, Michel Louis Christophe Roch Gilbert du Motier, served…