Apr
02
2009
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the entire program
Jeannette Rankin Takes Her Seat
Back in the day on April 2nd, 1917 Jeannette Rankin was sworn in as the first Congresswoman in the history of the United States. It didn’t take long for this pacifist woman from the state of Montana to make trouble in the halls of Congress. Just four days into her term, …
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Apr
01
2009
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NY Assembly Expels Socialists
Back in the day on April 1st, 1920, the New York State Assembly voted by an overwhelming margin to expel five socialist members from its legislative body. Finding the democratic will of the people to be an “April Fools Joke,” the action taken against them was not enough for one Assemblyman, …
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Mar
31
2009
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the entire program
The Coup in Brazil
Back in the day on March 31st, 1964 Brazilian President João Goulart was overthrown in a military coup. Exactly 45 years ago, the army conspirators set in motion the makings of a dictatorship that would oppress Brazil for the next twenty years. Goulart, known for his populist politics had been irrationally suspected …
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Mar
30
2009
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the entire program
The 15th Amendment
Back in the day on March 30th, 1870 the 15th amendment was added to the constitution of the United States. Coming in the post-Civil War era, the last of the “reconstruction amendments” attempted to federalize enfranchisement for black males. Three versions of the 15th amendment were debated in Congress before final ratification. The …
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Mar
27
2009
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The Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Back in the day on March 27th, 1814 the Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place in central Alabama. In the most decisive conflict in the Creek War, future President Andrew Jackson commanded a Tennessee militia backed by native allies against an encampment of Red Stick warriors. Fought along the horseshoe-like bend …
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Mar
26
2009
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the entire program
Naturalization Act of 1790
Back in the day on March 26th, 1790, the U.S. Congress passed its first Naturalization Act. As the first immigration policy of its kind for the newly emerging nation-state, it tellingly laid down racial barriers for becoming a citizen. The text of the law read, “Any alien, being a free white person, …
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Mar
25
2009
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the entire program
The Scottsboro Nine
Back in the day on March 25th, 1931, nine African- American youths were removed from a Southern Railroad train and taken to a jail in Scottsboro, Alabama. Soon to be known around the world as the “Scottsboro Nine,” six of the youths were accused by Victoria Price, a white woman, of gang raping …
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Mar
24
2009
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the entire program
The Coup in Argentina
Back in the day on March 24th, 1976, the military junta of General Jorge Rafael Videla, Admiral Emilio Eduardo Massera, and Air Force Brigadier Orlando Ramon Agosti deposed and arrested then President Isabel Peron. Videla was designated President soon after and headed the dictatorial regime’s so-called “National Process of Reorganization” that reigned …
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Mar
23
2009
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the entire program
Archbishop Oscar Romero’s Plea
Back in the day on March 23rd, 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador bravely and morally challenged the soldiers of his country. In the midst of a bloody civil war, Romero gave a homily, broadcast throughout the Central American nation, imploring the rank and file members of the national army to …
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Mar
20
2009
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the entire program
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Back in the day on March 20th, 1857, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was published. Stowe, a white woman, became motivated to write her most recognized work after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The novel, which was to become second only to sales of the Bible in …
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