United States History On This Date: May 1st

1704 — Boston News-Letter Prints the First Newspaper Advertisement in America

The Boston News-Letter, the first continuously published newspaper in the colonies, prints what historians consider the earliest paid newspaper advertisement in American history. The notice promoted goods newly arrived from England, signaling the rise of a commercial print culture. This moment marks the beginning of American advertising as a public, regulated, and increasingly influential economic force.

1718 — Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) Is Established

Spanish missionaries establish Mission San Antonio de Valero, intended to convert and settle local Indigenous communities. Over time, the mission evolves into a military outpost and later becomes famous as “The Alamo,” a symbol of Texan identity and sacrifice. Its founding on this date anchors a long arc of frontier conflict, cultural blending, and contested sovereignty in the Southwest.

1852 — Calamity Jane Is Born in Missouri

Martha Jane Canary, later known as Calamity Jane, is born near Princeton, Missouri. She grows into one of the most colorful figures of the American West—scout, performer, storyteller, and frontier survivor. Her life blends fact and legend, reflecting the rough, improvisational world of the Great Plains. She becomes a lasting symbol of Western mythmaking and unconventional female independence.

1898 — U.S. Navy Destroys the Spanish Pacific Fleet at Manila Bay

Commodore George Dewey’s Asiatic Squadron annihilates the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in the opening days of the Spanish‑American War. The victory is swift and overwhelming, instantly transforming U.S. influence in the Pacific. It marks the beginning of America’s emergence as a global naval power and sets the stage for the complex, often controversial annexation of the Philippines.

America's First Advertisement: The Boston News Letter - Oyster Bay, NY (Est 1704)

United States History On This Date: April 25th

1846 — Mexican‑American War Begins

President James K. Polk informs Congress that Mexican forces have “shed American blood upon American soil,” prompting lawmakers to prepare for war. The conflict will dramatically expand U.S. territory, reshape the national map, and intensify debates over slavery’s expansion. The war’s origins and consequences remain central to understanding American political development.

1862 — Union Forces Occupy New Orleans

Following Farragut’s naval breakthrough, Union troops under General Benjamin Butler enter and occupy New Orleans. The city’s fall delivers a crushing blow to Confederate morale and control of the Mississippi River. Butler’s controversial administration introduces strict military rule, sparks diplomatic tensions, and highlights the complexities of governing conquered Southern cities during wartime.

1898 — U.S. Declares War on Spain

Congress issues a formal declaration of war against Spain, retroactive to April 21. The decision reflects mounting pressure from expansionists, humanitarian advocates, and the press. The war will bring swift American victories, the annexation of overseas territories, and a new era of U.S. involvement in global affairs, marking a turning point in national identity.

1945 — U.S. and Soviet Troops Meet at the Elbe

American and Soviet forces link up at Torgau, Germany, signaling the collapse of Nazi resistance and the nearing end of World War II in Europe. The meeting becomes a powerful symbol of Allied unity, even as tensions simmer beneath the surface. Within months, the wartime alliance will give way to the Cold War’s geopolitical rivalry.

President Polk informs Congress that Mexican forces have “shed American blood upon American soil.”

United States History On This Date: April 24th

1800 — Library of Congress Established

President John Adams signs the legislative act allocating $5,000 for “books for the use of Congress,” formally creating the Library of Congress. What begins as a modest reference collection for lawmakers quickly becomes a symbol of national intellectual ambition. Over time, it evolves into the world’s largest library, preserving manuscripts, maps, and cultural memory essential to the American story.

1862 — Farragut Captures New Orleans

Union Admiral David G. Farragut forces his fleet past Confederate defenses on the Mississippi River and seizes New Orleans, the South’s largest city and commercial heart. The victory cripples Confederate trade, secures a vital port for the Union, and demonstrates the growing dominance of federal naval power. It marks a decisive turning point in the Western theater.

1898 — Spain–U.S. War Begins

Congress declares that a state of war exists between the United States and Spain, launching the Spanish‑American War. The conflict, fueled by debates over Cuban independence and sensationalist journalism, propels the U.S. onto the world stage. Within months, American forces will fight in the Caribbean and Pacific, reshaping global power dynamics and U.S. foreign policy.

1980 — U.S. Rescue Attempt in Iran Fails

Operation Eagle Claw, the mission to rescue American hostages held in Tehran, ends in tragedy when mechanical failures and a sandstorm lead to a fatal crash in the Iranian desert. Eight U.S. servicemen die. The failed mission shakes national confidence, reshapes military planning, and leads to major reforms in special operations command structures.

Fire and Fury: Farragut’s fleet blasts its way past Forts Jackson and St. Philip on April 24, 1862, in this period illustration. At front-center, the USS Mississippi destroys the Rebel ironclad Manassas. ((Currier & Ives/Library of Congress))

United States History On This Date: April 21st

1836 — Battle of San Jacinto

Texan forces under Sam Houston launched a surprise afternoon assault on Santa Anna’s encamped army along the San Jacinto River. The fighting lasted barely 18 minutes, but its consequences were enormous: the capture of Santa Anna, the collapse of Mexican control, and the birth of the Republic of Texas. The victory reshaped the balance of power in North America and set in motion events that would eventually lead to U.S. annexation and the Mexican‑American War, altering the continent’s political landscape for generations.

1861 — Lincoln Orders a Naval Blockade of the Confederacy

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of Southern ports from South Carolina to Texas, marking a decisive escalation in the opening days of the Civil War. The blockade aimed to cut off Confederate trade, weaken its economy, and prevent foreign recognition. Though initially porous, it tightened steadily as the Union Navy expanded, becoming a central pillar of the “Anaconda Plan.” Over time, it strangled Southern commerce and contributed significantly to the Confederacy’s eventual collapse.

1898 — U.S. Declares War on Spain

Responding to rising tensions over Cuba and the sinking of the USS Maine, Congress formally recognized a state of war with Spain. The conflict, brief but transformative, propelled the United States onto the world stage as an emerging imperial power. Victories in the Caribbean and Pacific reshaped global politics, leading to U.S. control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The war marked a turning point in American foreign policy, signaling a new era of overseas expansion.

1910 — Mark Twain Dies in Redding, Connecticut

Samuel Clemens — known to the world as Mark Twain — died at age 74, one day after Halley’s Comet reached perihelion, just as he had predicted. Twain’s works, from Huckleberry Finn to The Innocents Abroad, shaped American literature with their humor, satire, and unflinching look at national contradictions. His death marked the passing of one of the most influential voices in American letters, whose legacy continues to define the national literary identity.

1861 cartoon map of Scott's plan with caricatures

American History By The Day: May 19th

American Sectionalism - Politics:  On this day in 1828 the "Tariff of Abominations," as it will come to be known, originally proposed on January 31st, is signed into law by President Adams, thus thwarting the Machiavellian plans of the congressional Jacksonians to discredit Adams by the bill's defeat.  After heated debate, the coalition of Southern and Middle Atlantic states led by Martin Van Buren and Vice-President John Calhoun voted down all attempts by New Englanders to amend the more flagrant provisions of the bill.  Nevertheless, when the legislation came to a vote, the New Englanders surprisingly supported the bill, as it promoted the protection of American industry.  The tariff passed the House, 105 to 94, on April 23rd and the Senate, 26 to 21, on May 13th.

The Approach Of The Civil War - Congress:  On the day in 1856 Charles Sumner, the Senator from Massachusettes and an outspoken anti-slavery man, gives a vituperative speech against the pro-slavery elements in the Senage.  Three days later, as Sumner is sitting at his Senate desk, a South Carolina Representative, Preston Brooks, beats Sumner unconscious with a cane for insulting Brook's uncle, Senator Andrew Butler.  It will be three years before Sumner fully recovers, but he is regarded as a martyr by Northern abolitionists - while many Southerners praise Congressman Brooks.

The Spanish-American War - Philippines:  On this day in 1898 under the auspices of the Americans, Philippine guerrilla leader Aguinaldo arrives at Cavite from Hong Kong.  The same day Admiral Cervera takes the Spanish fleet into Santiago Harbor.

Spanish-American War Transports at Tamps, FL

Source:  The Almanac of American History, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.