Almanac

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early January from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Overseas, Fidel Castro enters Havana in 1959, and General MacArthur returns to the Philippines in 1945 to help liberate them from Japanese occupation. In the middle of the Atlantic ocean, The "Flying Enterprise" sank with valuable cargo onboard in 1952. Back in America consumer rationing began, Record rain and snow storms swept through California, and Alaska was proclaimed a state of the union as the 49th state. Two influential individuals were born early January: Louis Braille and Albert Schweitzer.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late January from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. The Burma Road, the lifeline between India and China, finished construction and opened January 28th 1945. In America, prohibition went into effect in 1920, the gangster era ended in 1934, the baseball hall of fame was inaugurated in 1936. There were also many firsts this month as the world's first atomic powered submarine "Nautilus" launched, the first presidential news conference was recorded by television, and the U.S. launched its first Earth satellite. Samuel Gompers (founder and first president of the American federation of labor) and Franklin D. Roosevelt were both born in late January.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early February from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Overseas, Elizabeth became queen after the Death of George VI, József Mindszenty (cardinal of Hungary) was sentenced to life in prison, and the discovery of the X-ray was made public. On February 5th 1953, the North Sea storms flooded Holland, Belgium, Britain, France, and Germany. In America, the United Service Organizations was founded, the women's unit was attached to the marine corps, and 16,066 British war brides arrive in New York. Many influential individuals were also born early February including Babe Ruth, Thomas Alva Edison, and Abraham Lincoln.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late February from the 1700s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Overseas Egypt and Syria approved United Arab republic, Hitler made a decree that suppressed civil liberties, Juan Domingo Perón was elected as Argentine President, and communists seize Czechoslovakia. Back in America, the Midnight curfew went into effect to conserve coal and electricity for the war effort. The federal post office was established February 20th 1792, the first commercial helicopter was developed 1946, and the Boulder dam was completed 1936. School children around the country began receiving the Salk vaccine February 23rd 1954, protecting them against polio.

Historical American events throughout the 1900s in early March are highlighted in this episode. Overseas, Cyprus terrorists make peace, Tibet revolts against red rule, Ghana becomes an independent state 1957, and Americans cross the Rhine during World War II. Back at home, the "Star-Spangled Banner" becomes the American national anthem March 3rd 1931. The Girl Scouts was founded March 12th 1912 in Savannah Georgia, the Salvation Army starts in 1880, and the American Legion was organized 1919. Early May was also scattered with important births and passings including the birth of Knute Rockne (the greatest of all football coaches) and Albert Einstein and the passing of Joseph Stalin and Admiral Byrd.

Footage from historic American events remind viewers of what has shaped our country into what it is today. Events from March 16th to 31st throughout the 1800s and 1900s are covered, including the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy, the first automobile to surpass 200 mph, and the passing of Dowager Queen Mary.

Historical American events throughout the 1900s in early April are highlighted in this episode. The United States declared war against Germany on April 6th 1917 as a crusade to ensure peace. The nation mourns the passing of president Franklin D. Roosevelt April 12th 1945, as well as American architect Frank Lloyd Wright April 9th 1959. He was the father of one thousand monuments around the world and organic architecture. Mediation chief Dr. Ralph Bunche participated in signings April 3rd 1949 that brought about an armistice in the Arab-Israel war, and the North Atlantic treaty was signed by twelve anti-communist nations April 4th 1949. In April 11th 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first person of color to join the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late April from the 1700s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Abroad, James H. Doolittle lead the first bombing raid on Tokyo, Benito Mussolini was executed, the German V-2 rocket siege ended. Back at home, A United Nations security conference opened at San Francisco April 25th 1945. Representatives from 46 nations gathered to draw up a charter for a world organization strong enough to prevent another conflict such as World War II. In Texas City, a chain of shattering explosions struck April 16th 1947 and the air was contaminated with poisonous clouds of chlorine gas. Social security payments began April 27th 1937, and the New York World's Fair opened April 30th 1939.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early May from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Many advancements were made as the U.S. air mail service began May 15th 1918, the empire state building was formally opened May 1st 1931, and the women's army corps was established May 14th 1942. But there were also setbacks as criminal ring leaders sparked a riot in Alcatraz, and America was active overseas in the Battle of Coral Sea during World War II. Near the end of the war, Germany surrendered to the allies May 7th 1945. May is also the birth month of Irving Berlin, America's greatest songwriter. He's written classics like God Bless America, What'll I do, Blue Skies, the Easter Parade, and many more.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late May from the 1700s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. There were some setbacks, like the sinking of the submarine "Squalus" in 1939, but the later half of this month was mainly filled with triumphs. In aviation, Lindbergh is the first to make a transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in 1927 and Jacqueline Cochran makes flight history in 1953 by being the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound. An expedition led by Colonel John Hunt is the first to successfully climb Mount Everest in 1953. Other achievements include the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, the New York stock exchange, and the founding of the American red cross.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early June from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Americans were active overseas during World War II. More than 300,000 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk on June 3rd 1940, history's greatest invasion (D-Day) landed on June 6th 1944, and U.S. forces later invaded Saipan June 15th 1944. But after the end of war, America did its part to help rebuild western European economies with the The Marshall Plan. This month held some tragedies with unprecedented tornadoes that swept the country and an auto racing disaster at Le Mans. But there were also progresses as the office of war information was established and Ford had its first successful car trial.

Historical American events throughout the 1900s in late June are highlighted in this episode. Abroad, workers protested communist labor conditions in East Germany, an anti-red rebel force revolted against the communist regime in Guatemala, and the Korean War began in 1950. The United States tested an atom bomb at Bikini atoll in 1946 and approved the Philippines' Independence in 1944. Back on American soil, severe drought in the heart of Texas June left the Rio Grande completely dried up for the first time in history. The Taft-Hartley Law was enacted, which restricted the activities and power of labor unions, and "Flying Saucers" were first reported June 24th 1947. Lou Gehrig and Helen Keller had birthdays late June.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early July from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. The U.S. army was active abroad as troops landed in Iceland 1941 and the allies invaded Sicily in 1943. The Air Corps Act became law in 1926, the Air Force Academy was dedicated 1955, and the Medal of Honor was authorized in 1862. Records were set by the United States as an American liner set a speed record in 1952 and Howard Hughes made a world flight record of three days, nineteen hours, fourteen minutes and ten seconds in 1938. The country's worst water disaster hit July 13th 1951 making 500,000 Americans refugees for the time being.

Historical events and people critical to American development in early August from the 1700s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. The United States was involved in conflicts overseas as U.S. marines land and overtake Guadalcanal. dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and U.S. bombers blast the Romanian Ploesti Oil Fields in World War II. The Japanese surrendered on August 14th 1945, which was known as V-J day. Americans also broke records during this time as Jesse Owens won four Olympic medals on August 2nd 1936 and Florence Chadwick made a record channel swim. Parisian designers introduce a "New Look" in August 12th 1947, causing a fashion explosion around the world.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late August from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Abroad Britain announces its austerity program to recover from the war, uprisings take place against Premier Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Iran, and Chinese communists hurl a record barrage at the island of Quemoy. Back at home The value of penicillin revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases August 25th 1943 and the world's first successful oil well was drilled August 27th 1859. In New York, the new U.N. headquarters opens its doors in Manhattan and the first demonstration of home television occurred.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early September from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. There was turmoil abroad as the American troops landed at Salerno and invaded Germany. But World War II came to an end when the Japanese surrendered, signing an agreement on the "Missouri" battleship September 2nd 1945. Hideki Tojo, the Japanese war lord, was brought to justice September 11th 1945 after a court trial in America. This month held some achievements with the first automobile to exceed 300 miles per hour, "Little Mo" becoming a tennis champion at the age of sixteen, and the first flight into a hurricane for scientific data was made.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late November from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. World leaders gathered at the Munich Conference to sign an agreement to avoid war in 1938, and they reconvened to decided the fate of prominent leadership of Nazi Germany during the closing of the Nuremberg Trial in 1946. General LeMay was chosen to head the Strategic Air Command, and leaps were made in aviation with the production of the first aircraft carrier and the first transatlantic pilotless plane guided entirely by automatic radio control. Congress established Yosemite National Park in 1890, and the freedom train started a U.S. tour in 1947 filled with priceless original documents and manuscripts like the Gettysburg Address.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early October from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Russia's Sputnik made it into orbit October 4th 1957, sparking motivation for other countries in the space race. Around a decade earlier, the United States Naval Academy was established and opened. History was also made in sports as Don Larsen pitched the perfect series game October 8th 1956, and the first chess tournament in the United States was held on October 6th 1857. Construction on the Holland tunnel, a direct link between New York and New Jersey, began October 12th 1920. There were also many important birthdays in early October including Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Henry Wallace.

Historical American events throughout the 1900s in late October are highlighted in this episode. October 19th 1943 marked the opening of the Moscow Conference. Foreign nations set forth proposals to win the war and save the peace, and the U.S. fleet arrived home safely the same month two years later. Hurricane "Hazel" hit North and South Carolina October 17th 1954, bearing winds 100 miles per hour. It continued on for thousands of miles, eventually reaching Toronto Canada. In Los Angeles an eighteen day smog siege had been lifted by the wind, but it wasn't the end to their air quality issues. With the setbacks came improvements as the city was prompted to launched its biggest smog investigation to find a solution to the problem. And in New York, the George Washington Bridge opened and the first subways started operations.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in early November from the 1700s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. The Continental Congress authorized the U.S. marine corps in November 10th 1775, and November 12th 1955 was the birth of the west German army. The United States was active overseas with the British American invasion of North Africa November 8th 1942. Americans also helped in defeating the Japanese fleet November 13th 1942 during World War II. Big leaps were made in aviation when Howard Hughes flew the world’s biggest plane November 2nd 1947, and the lady southern cross made the first trans-Pacific flight from Australia to California November 4th 1934. The third longest suspension bridge in the world, The Tacoma Bridge, collapsed November 7th 1940.

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late November from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. Congress authorized the creation of SPARS (the United States Coast Guard Women's reserve) November 23rd 1942, which released officers and men for sea duty. And as World War II raged on, military strategy against Japan was planned at the Cairo conference November 22nd 1943. At home, a fire in a Boston night club cost 491 lives and left many other injured. With many American resources going toward the war effort, it was a tragedy that local hospitals did not have the right resources for. November is also the month "Jimmy" Walker passed away. He was mayor of New York for seven years and constructed 700 million dollars worth of underground railroads.

Footage from historic American events remind viewers of what has shaped our country into what it is today. Events that occurred early December between the 1800s to the 1900s are covered including the Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor, that brought America into World War Two, the world's first Nuclear Power Plant, the dedication of Dwight D. Eisenhower's Memorial museum, and a Soviet Spy who hid his secrets in a pumpkin!

Historical events and people critical to America's development in late December from the 1800s to 1900s are highlighted in this episode. There were times of hardship as Americans fought at the battle of the bulge December 16th 1944 during World War II and Wake Island fell to the Japanese December 22nd 1941. But it was also a month of many firsts as flight history was made at Kitty Hawk December 17th 1903 by the pioneer Wright Brothers, the first giant panda arrived in U.S. December 18th 1936, and December 24th 1948 marks the day the first house was heated by solar energy. December 31st 1953, Willie Shoemaker, the greatest jockey in thoroughbred racing, won a record 485 races.