Search History    < Back   Forward >
Select a Date
  / 
... or a Subject
  

Site Links

• Home Page
• The Foundations
     of Americanism

• Historic Document
     Library

     • The Declaration of
        Independence

     • The U.S. Constitution
     • The Bill of Rights
     • The Amendments
• Supreme Court Cases
Article Archives --
     • Editorials
     • Opinion
     • In-Depth
     • Headlines
     • Court Challenges

• About Us

Site Search

Go
     Search Tips

Read or Post Mail
by Topic


Opinion & Analysis
Sources

Ryan T. Anderson
Michael Barone
Brent Bozell
Tucker Carlson
Mona Charen
Adriana Cohen
Ann Coulter
Veronique de Rugy
Diane Dimond
Erick Erickson
Jonah Goldberg
John C. Goodman
Tim Graham
Victor Davis Hanson
Froma Harrop
David Harsanyi
Mollie Hemingway
Laura Hollis
Jeff Jacoby
Rich Lowry
Heather Mac Donald
Mychal Massie
Daniel McCarthy
Betsy McCaughey
Stephen Moore
Andrew P. Napolitano
Dennis Prager
Scott Rasmussen
Damon Root
Debra J. Saunders
Ben Shapiro
Mark Shields
John Stossel
Jacob Sullum
Cal Thomas
Hans von Spakovsky
George Will
Byron York


Today in History
Know Your Stuff?

Fact lists about ...
U.S. Presidents
States & Territories
States Ranked
U.S. Chief Justices
U.S. Wars & Conflicts
Fed'l Debt & Spending
116th Congress

Flash Stats on ...
Congress
The Supreme Court
Tax Freedom Day

Take our
Americana Quiz


History's Happenings for October 13

Birth of the United States Navy
1775

(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
On the other hand, if you'd like to try writing
one  ... send it in! )

White House Cornerstone Laid
1792

The first official building to be constructed in the newly (1790) selected site of the U.S. capital was, appropriately enough, the president's house. Although the new city was named for him, and though he laid its cornerstone on October 13, 1792, George Washington is the only U.S. president never to have lived in what became familiarly known as the White House.

In March of that year, a prize of $500 and a building lot had been offered to the architect who would submit the most satisfactory design for an executive mansion -- then envisioned as no more than a residence for the president. Among many submissions, that of Charleston architect James Hoban was chosen, a design supposedly modeled after the residence of the Duke of Leinster in Dublin, Ireland. The original edifice, built of Virginia sandstone and comprising only the central rectangular building in today's White House, without porticos, was completed in November, 1800 -- in time for outgoing president John Adams to enjoy a short stay.

President Thomas Jefferson built the outlying walkways, which were rebuilt in the twentieth century and today connect with the west wing executive offices, and the east wing. The familiar porticos were added in the 1820's.

During the War of 1812, the British set fire to the Executive Mansion while sacking the city, and the building was gutted. James Hoban supervised its rebuilding, adding a coat of whitewash over the sooted original stone that eventually gave it its namesake. Teddy Roosevelt sanctioned the term White House, by having it engraved on his stationery in 1901. He also added the executive offices on the west wing.

The laying of the White House cornerstone in the carefully planned new city preceded that of the nation's capitol by just eleven months.

B'nai B'rith Founded
1843

The Jewish service organization B'nai B'rith, "Children of the Covenant", was founded on October 13, 1843, in New York City.

B'nai B'rith today, with over 500,000 members worldwide, is focused on Jewish education and culture, interfaith relations, racial and religious tolerance and community service.

American Troops Enter Aachen
1944

(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
On the other hand, if you'd like to try writing
one  ... send it in! )




Got a favorite (and relevant) historical event?   Let us know!


Copyright © 1999-2024 Common Sense Americanism - All rights reserved
Localizations by DB-IP
Privacy Policy   Submitting Articles   Site Guide & Info
Home Page