ulysses s. grant

3 articles

Feb21

1919Who is the only woman to be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor?

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker of Oswego, New York, remains the only woman ever awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor. As a pioneering Civil War surgeon and women's rights advocate, Walker volunteered her medical expertise on the battlefield when women were barred from official military commissions. Captured as a suspected spy in 1864 and enduring four months in a Confederate prison, she was honored by President Andrew Johnson with the Medal of Honor in 1865—only to have it rescinded in 1917 and later reinstated in 1977. Walker's legacy endures not only through her medal, now displayed at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, but also in the ongoing recognition of her extraordinary commitment to both her country and to gender equality.

Feb12

1809Which U.S. President is known as the 'Savior of the Union' and emancipator of the slaves?

Abraham Lincoln, born in a humble log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky, rose to become the 16th President of the United States and is celebrated as the 'Savior of the Union' and emancipator of the slaves. His leadership during the Civil War not only preserved the nation but also led to the historic Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which paved the way for the abolition of slavery. The 19-foot-tall statue of Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., carved by the Piccirilli brothers under Daniel Chester French’s direction, stands as a powerful tribute to his enduring legacy. As of 12 February 2026, Americans mark the 217th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, reflecting on a figure whose vision and resilience forever shaped the course of U.S. history.

Apr19

1775What was the "shot heard round the world"?

The phrase "shot heard round the world" famously comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s "Concord Hymn," commemorating the events at Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775, where the first American victory of the Revolutionary War took place. Although the day's initial shots rang out earlier in Lexington, it was at Concord’s North Bridge that colonial militiamen first returned British fire, signaling a turning point in the fight for independence. This conflict has inspired monuments such as the North Bridge obelisk dedicated in 1837 and Daniel Chester French’s iconic "Minute Man" statue, unveiled a century later in 1875 from melted Civil War cannons. Today, the legacy of these pivotal moments is celebrated each April during Massachusetts’ Patriots’ Day festivities, honoring both the struggle and the stories that shaped a nation.