maryland

1896What was the first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat?

The world’s first monument honoring journalists killed in combat stands at South Mountain, Maryland, conceived and built by famed Civil War correspondent George Alfred Townsend in 1896. Named the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, it pays tribute to 157 writers, artists, and photographers from both sides of the conflict who chronicled the events of the war. Distinctive for its 50-foot height, Moorish horseshoe arch, and eclectic mix of symbolic figures—like a statue of Pan and busts labeled "SPEED" and "HEED"—the memorial remained unique for 90 years before similar tributes appeared. This historic landmark, now part of Gathland State Park, continues to recognize the sacrifices of journalists on the battlefield more than 129 years after its dedication.

1821Who was nicknamed the "Angel of the Battlefield" during the American Civil War and founded the American Red Cross in 1881?

Clara Harlowe Barton, known as the "Angel of the Battlefield," was a pioneering nurse, educator, and humanitarian from Oxford, Massachusetts, who played a crucial role during the American Civil War. Risking her own safety, Barton provided frontline care and supplies to wounded soldiers at major battles, later founding the American Red Cross in 1881 despite initial resistance from government officials. On September 17, 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, she delivered vital aid, an act commemorated by a granite monument at the battlefield, which features a red cross crafted from a brick of her childhood home. Today, more than 145 years after the founding of the American Red Cross, her legacy continues through the ongoing work she inspired and the memorials that honor her enduring impact.