American History Blogmanac: United States History On This Date: May 21st

Thursday, May 21, 2026

United States History On This Date: May 21st

1856 — “Sack of Lawrence” Ignites Bleeding Kansas
Pro‑slavery forces led by Sheriff Samuel Jones raid the Free‑State town of Lawrence, Kansas, destroying printing presses and the Free State Hotel. The attack deepens sectional violence and shocks Northern opinion, marking one of the most infamous episodes in “Bleeding Kansas.”

1861 — North Carolina Secedes from the Union
The last Southern state to leave the Union, North Carolina votes overwhelmingly for secession. Governor John W. Ellis’s proclamation completes the Confederacy’s eleven‑state roster, while Unionists in the western counties begin organizing resistance that will later echo in the creation of West Virginia.

1881 — Clara Barton Founds the American Red Cross
Humanitarian Clara Barton establishes the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., inspired by her Civil War nursing service and the International Red Cross movement. The organization will become a cornerstone of U.S. disaster relief and wartime medical aid.

1961 — Freedom Riders Attacked in Montgomery
Civil rights activists traveling by bus to challenge segregation are brutally assaulted by mobs in Montgomery, Alabama. Federal marshals intervene as the Kennedy administration faces mounting pressure to enforce desegregation rulings across the South.

Clara Barton Stamp

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U.S. SUPREME COURT SIZE TIMELINE

1789 — 6 Justices
Judiciary Act of 1789 establishes the Court with 6 seats tied to 3 judicial circuits.

1801 — Planned Reduction to 5
Federalist Congress attempts to cut the Court to deny Jefferson appointments; repealed before taking effect.

1802 — Restored to 6
Jeffersonian Republicans repeal the 1801 Act and return the Court to 6 seats.

1807 — Increased to 7
Seventh Circuit Act adds a new western circuit, requiring an additional justice.

1837 — Increased to 9
Two new circuits created as the nation expands westward; Court grows to 9 seats.

1863 — Increased to 10
Civil War expansion; Tenth Circuit Act adds a new seat under Lincoln.

1866 — Reduced Toward 7
Judicial Circuits Act reduces the Court by attrition to block Andrew Johnson appointments.

1869 — Set at 9 (Current Size)
Judiciary Act of 1869 restores the Court to 9 seats under President Grant.

About Our Header

The 1823 map of the United States above in our header is an interesting reflection of the time. It was engraved and distributed in 1823 by Sidney E. Morse, A.M. New-Haven: engraved and published by N. & S.S. Jocelyn. At this time in our history it has been three years since the Compromise of 1820 which is already beginning to buckle under the strain over the issue of slavery. It also reflects an issue overshadowed by the slavery issue: the dispute over the Oregon Territory and the existing border dispute for the territory claimed by the U.S. This dispute between the U.S and the United Kingdom would not be resolved until 1848 when clear and agreed upon boundaries would be reflected in all maps issued afterwards.

Confederate State Secession Dates

• South Carolina — December 20, 1860
• Mississippi — January 9, 1861
• Florida — January 10, 1861
• Alabama — January 11, 1861
• Georgia — January 19, 1861
• Louisiana — January 26, 1861
• Texas — February 1, 1861
• Virginia — April 17, 1861
• Arkansas — May 6, 1861
• North Carolina — May 20, 1861
• Tennessee — June 8, 1861

• Missouri* — October 31, 1861
• Kentucky* — November 20, 1861

*Secession ordinances passed by Confederate‑aligned rump governments; not recognized by the Union.

First Ten Battles of the Civil War

1. Battle of Fort Sumter — April 12–13, 1861
Charleston Harbor, South Carolina
Casualties: ~0 killed, ~5 wounded

2. Battle of Gloucester Point — May 7, 1861
Virginia
Casualties: 0

3. Battle of Hampton Roads (Sewell’s Point) — May 8, 1861
Virginia
Casualties: ~0–2 wounded

4. Battle of Pratt Street (Baltimore Riot)* — April 19, 1861
Baltimore, Maryland
Casualties: ~4 soldiers & 12 civilians killed (*Sometimes included as an early battle.)

5. Battle of Philippi — June 3, 1861
Western Virginia
Casualties: ~30 total

6. Battle of Big Bethel — June 10, 1861
Virginia
Casualties: ~76 total

7. Battle of Boonville — June 17, 1861
Missouri
Casualties: ~40 total

8. Battle of Hoke’s Run (Falling Waters) — July 2, 1861
Virginia
Casualties: ~114 total

9. Battle of Carthage — July 5, 1861
Missouri
Casualties: ~118 total

10. Battle of First Bull Run (Manassas) — July 21, 1861
Virginia
Casualties: ~4,700 total

125th Anniversary of the Great Fire of Jacksonville

Ten Facts About the Great Fire of 1901

1. The fire began on a Friday around 12:30 p.m. and burned until 8:30 p.m.

2. Chimney embers ignited sun-dried moss to be used as stuffing at the Cleaveland Fibre Factory.

3. The factory was located at Davis and Beaver Streets.

4. Citizens’ bucket brigades joined the city and area fire departments to slow the spread of the flames.

5. Dark smoke clouds could be seen as far away as South Carolina.

6. Seven people died.

7. Ten thousand people were left homeless.

8. One of the few city landmarks to survive the fire was the Confederate Monument in Hemming Park.

9. The fire destroyed 146 city blocks, 1,700 homes, and 2,368 buildings.

10. The damage was estimated at $15 million in 1901 dollars—about $418 million today.

May Innovations & Inventions — U.S. History

May 3, 1978 — The first mass‑distributed computer “spam” email is sent over ARPANET, prompting early debates about digital communication ethics.
May 6, 1889 — The Eiffel Tower’s American‑designed elevators (by Otis) begin operation, showcasing U.S. engineering on a global stage.
May 10, 1869 — The Transcontinental Railroad is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah, revolutionizing U.S. transportation and commerce.
May 15, 1918 — The U.S. Post Office launches the first regular airmail service, pioneering modern aviation logistics.
May 20, 1927 — Charles Lindbergh departs New York in the *Spirit of St. Louis*, a U.S.‑built aircraft that transforms global aviation after his successful solo Atlantic crossing.
May 22, 1906 — The Wright brothers receive their first U.S. patent for a “flying machine,” securing legal recognition for controlled, powered flight.
May 26, 1896 — Charles Dow introduces the Dow Jones Industrial Average, an innovation that becomes central to American financial analysis.