John Hancock, born in 1737 Massachusetts, inherited a fortune and became one of New England’s richest men. As a Boston selectman, he opposed British taxes and participated in revolutionary activities, including the Boston Tea Party. He narrowly escaped arrest after Paul Revere’s ride. Elected president of the Continental Congress in 1775, he famously signed the Declaration of Independence.

On March 3, 1865, the night before Lincoln’s second inauguration, Washington was chaotic with visitors. Vice President-elect Andrew Johnson, heavily drunk, made a notoriously inebriated speech in the Senate, causing dismay. Following Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865, just after the war’s end, Johnson assumed the presidency under challenging circumstances.

Sharecropping in the American South was a system of agricultural labor that emerged after the Civil War. Under this system, landowners would provide land, tools, and supplies to farmers, who would then work the land and give a portion of their crops as rent. However, sharecroppers often faced exploitation and poverty, as they were trapped in a cycle of debt and dependence on the landowners. This system perpetuated racial and economic inequality in the region.

The American 1940s was a decade marked by significant historical events such as World War II and the post-war economic boom. It was a time of great social and cultural change, with the rise of jazz music, the Hollywood Golden Age, and the emergence of the baby boomer generation. The 1940s also saw advancements in technology, including the development of the atomic bomb and the introduction of television.

In 2023, the FBI revealed a thwarted assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth II during her 1983 West Coast visit. An off duty officer overheard the plot.

The American 1930s was a decade marked by the Great Depression, which had a profound impact on the country’s economy and society. It was a time of widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. However, it was also a period of resilience and creativity, with the rise of jazz music, Hollywood glamour, and the New Deal policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to alleviate the effects of the economic crisis.

Martin Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. He was a skilled politician and diplomat, known for his ability to build coalitions and navigate complex political landscapes. Van Buren’s presidency was marked by economic turmoil, including the Panic of 1837, but he worked to stabilize the economy and improve infrastructure. He also played a key role in the formation of the Democratic Party and was a strong advocate for states’ rights.