May 1, 1894: Coxey's Army, the first significant American protest march, arrives in Washington D.C.


After the Panic of 1893 gripped the United States, political activist Jacob Coxey and associates decide to march on the capitol to protest for greater workers rights. As Coxey and his entourage marched toward the capitol, they gained followers from all walks of life. When they reached the capitol, the sight was one never seen in Washington before. The protest was quickly quelled, with Coxey being arrested for trespassing on public lands.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 25, 1306: Robert the Bruce is crowned King of Scots

Image
Robert the Bruce was born in Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland on June 7, 1274. He came from a long line of claimants to the Scottish throne, being a descendant of King David I. During his childhood, he was educated in history, civics and languages. He learned a variety of local dialects, French and Latin. Robert's early life was typical of a 13th century European noble. However his young life would soon be thrown upside down with the arrival of the English in Scotland. In 1286, King Alexander III died, his crown passed to a child named Margaret, the Maid of Norway. Due to Margaret's youth, the Scottish nobles assigned Guardians of Scotland to serve as regents until she would come of age. Then in 1290, Margaret died. This created a crisis between the five remaining claimants to the throne: John Balliol, John Hastings, Floris V, Count of Holland, and Robert. The Guardians feared a civil war, so they asked Edward I, King of England to mediate the situation. The King deci
Read more

May 7, 1763: Ottawa leader Pontiac captures Fort Detroit from the British, sparking Pontiac's War

Image
Pontiac was born between 1712 and 1725 in an Ottawa village on the bank of the Detroit River. Little is known about his early life. By 1747, he became a war leader among the Ottawa tribe. Pontiac and his tribe were key French allies during the French and Indian War. After their victory in the war, the British claimed much of the territory formerly held by the French. The Ottawa and several other tribes greatly resented their new British overlords. On April 27, 1763, Pontiac held a council with representatives of neighboring tribes. He asked them join him in attacking the British held Ford Detroit. On May 7, his small band of tribesmen laid siege to the fort. News of the siege quickly spread, bringing over nine hundred native warriors to his cause. The Fort finally capitulated later that day. Over the following weeks, Pontiac would capture over a dozen forts in the surrounding area.
Read more

May 2, 1863: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville

Image
Throughout 1863, Robert E. Lee fought back against the Union advance toward Richmond. The Peninsula Campaign, was Union General George B. McClellan’s attempt to seize the Confederate capital of Richmond. Confederate President Jefferson Davis promoted his military advisor, Robert E. Lee to take command of the army and push back McClellan. Lee was able to push back McClellan at the Battle of Seven Pines; however, the battle would prove not only to be a watershed moment for Lee but also for another of his generals. During the battle, troops under the command of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led the charge against the Union soldiers. Jackson cut a very interesting figure. He was an uncompromising hypochondriac. He would suck lemons in the heat of battle, and keep one arm lifted because he felt it kept “the blood balanced.” However even with all of quirks, he was a brilliant tactician, with an utter disregard for the lives of his soldiers. But his soldiers loved him because he brought them
Read more