United States History On This Date: May 29th

1765 — Patrick Henry Denounces the Stamp Act

In Williamsburg, Patrick Henry delivers his fiery Stamp Act Resolves before the Virginia House of Burgesses, arguing that only colonial assemblies may tax the people. His bold language—likening George III to tyrants of old—shocks moderates but electrifies younger delegates. The speech spreads rapidly through newspapers, fueling colonial resistance and sharpening the ideological divide with Britain. Henry’s defiance becomes a foundational moment in the rise of American revolutionary sentiment, signaling that constitutional conflict is turning into political confrontation.

1790 — Rhode Island Ratifies the Constitution

After months of hesitation, Rhode Island becomes the final of the original thirteen states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Economic pressure from neighboring states and the threat of being treated as a foreign nation push reluctant delegates toward acceptance. The vote ends years of political isolation and brings the smallest state fully into the federal union. Ratification also strengthens national legitimacy at a moment when the new government is still fragile, helping stabilize early American commerce, taxation, and interstate cooperation.

1848 — Wisconsin Admitted as the 30th State

Congress formally admits Wisconsin as the 30th state, completing a long process of territorial settlement, land surveys, and political negotiation. The new state brings a mix of Yankee settlers, European immigrants, and frontier farmers into the Union. Its admission strengthens Northern political influence as debates over slavery intensify. Wisconsin’s early constitution emphasizes public education, individual rights, and civic participation, reflecting the reformist spirit of the Upper Midwest. Statehood also accelerates development of Great Lakes commerce and westward migration.

1864 — Sherman Advances Toward Atlanta

During the Civil War, General William T. Sherman continues pressing Confederate forces southward through northern Georgia. Skirmishes flare along the Dallas–New Hope Church line as both armies maneuver for advantage in dense woods and muddy roads. Sherman’s logistical network—railroads, supply depots, and telegraph lines—proves increasingly decisive. Confederate General Johnston fights a cautious, delaying campaign, hoping to slow the Union advance. The struggle foreshadows the brutal summer ahead, with Atlanta’s strategic rail hub becoming the campaign’s ultimate prize.

Patrick Henry delivering his fiery Stamp Act Resolves before the Virginia House of Burgesses

United States History On This Date: May 4th

1776 — Rhode Island Becomes the First Colony to Renounce King George III

Rhode Island formally declares its independence from Great Britain, two months before the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. The colony’s merchants and political leaders, long angered by British trade restrictions and naval enforcement, push the measure through with overwhelming support. The vote signals the accelerating collapse of royal authority in North America and foreshadows the coming national break.

1864 — Battle of the Wilderness Begins in Virginia

Ulysses S. Grant launches his first major campaign as general‑in‑chief, crossing the Rapidan River to engage Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The dense, tangled forest quickly turns the fighting into chaos, with brushfires, close‑quarters combat, and shifting lines. The battle marks the start of Grant’s relentless Overland Campaign, signaling a new, grinding phase of the Civil War.

1886 — Haymarket Labor Rally in Chicago Turns Deadly

Workers gather in Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest police violence during a strike for the eight‑hour workday. As the peaceful rally nears its end, an unknown assailant throws a bomb, killing several officers and civilians. Police fire into the crowd, causing further casualties. The event becomes a defining moment in American labor history, shaping debates over workers’ rights, policing, and political radicalism.

1970 — National Guard Kills Four Students at Kent State University

During protests against the Vietnam War and the U.S. invasion of Cambodia, National Guard troops open fire on unarmed students at Kent State University in Ohio. Four are killed and nine wounded. The tragedy shocks the nation, intensifies antiwar sentiment, and forces a reckoning over the government’s handling of dissent. Photographs of the aftermath become defining images of the era.

Mary Ann Vecchio gestures and screams as she kneels by the body of a student lying face down on the campus of Kent State University on May 4, 1970. 

John Filo/AP