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Series: One Minute History
Abraham Lincoln
February 12, 1809 - Abraham Lincoln is born in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. With no formal education, Lincoln wins a seat in the Illinois state legislature and becomes a lawyer. He weds Mary Todd, who will bear him four sons, only one lives...Show More
February 12, 1809 - Abraham Lincoln is born in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. With no formal education, Lincoln wins a seat in the Illinois state legislature and becomes a lawyer. He weds Mary Todd, who will bear him four sons, only one lives to adulthood. After being nominated to the U.S. Senate, he delivers the infamous ‘House Divided’ speech and engages his rival, Stephen Douglas, in debates on slavery. Days before Lincoln becomes America’s sixteenth president, seven southern states secede from the Union. Less than one week in office, civil war breaks out. Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in the ten rebel states. He visits the site of the largest battle of the war and delivers the Gettysburg Address. After Lincoln’s re-election, Lee surrenders to Grant and the war ends. Nine days later, Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. He abolished slavery with the 13th Amendment, created Thanksgiving, never belonged to an organized church and is the only President to hold a patent. Show Less
Bitcoin
On August 18, 2008, the domain BItcoin.org was registered, followed by a link to a paper titled, Bitcoin. It was authored under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, who’s identity has yet to be revealed, The idea, a secure, open source, peer to...Show More
On August 18, 2008, the domain BItcoin.org was registered, followed by a link to a paper titled, Bitcoin. It was authored under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, who’s identity has yet to be revealed, The idea, a secure, open source, peer to peer, electronic payment system. All you need is an internet connection and you can own bitcoin. It exists on a decentralized blockchain network, or a global system of computers. Each transaction is independently verified and recorded on a ledger that simultaneously exists on each computer in the blockchain network. This decentralized system makes it virtually impossible for any government, company or entity to remove or alter the ledger. Although still relatively new to the world, Bitcoin has sparked a technological revolution that could forever alter the global financial system. Show Less
Boudica
In the first century AD, Celtic Iceni queen Boudica leads an insurgency against Roman Empire forces as they conquer the British Isles. As dictated in her husband Prasutagus’s will, he bequeaths his kingdom to their two daughters and the Roman...Show More
In the first century AD, Celtic Iceni queen Boudica leads an insurgency against Roman Empire forces as they conquer the British Isles. As dictated in her husband Prasutagus’s will, he bequeaths his kingdom to their two daughters and the Roman Emperor Nero, with the intent of keeping the Celtic tribes sovereign from overt Roman rule. Upon death, however, his will is subverted and the kingdom is annexed by the empire. Boudica and her daughters will pay an unfortunate personal price by way of physical and sexual violence. With pangs of retribution, Boudica leads her tribe along with other Celts in revolt. Upwards of 80,000 Celts and Romans perish in multiple uprisings throughout the isles. Boudica’s charge ultimately fails, ending in her death; the cause of which is still unclear nearly two millennia later. Even so, she is regarded as a British folk hero to this day for her struggle to keep Britain free. Show Less
Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Advocate
Jim Crow era Alabama is about to witness a brave act of obstruction. Fifteen years old and pregnant, Claudette Colvin denies her bus seat to a white woman and is subsequently arrested for her transgression. Sound familiar? Colvin’s defiant act...Show More
Jim Crow era Alabama is about to witness a brave act of obstruction. Fifteen years old and pregnant, Claudette Colvin denies her bus seat to a white woman and is subsequently arrested for her transgression. Sound familiar? Colvin’s defiant act occurs nine months prior to the famous scene promulgated by Rosa Parks, who later becomes a ubiquitous figure in the Civil Rights movement. By invoking her constitutional rights, Colvin quietly sets the stage for the marches and fight for racial equality, culminating with the ending of segregation in 1965. By admission of the Civil Rights leaders, Colvin’s age, pregnancy and dark hue of her skin does not fit the character profile desired for the movement, believing her story detracts from the cause. Colvin will later gain satisfaction, however, when the US Supreme Court upholds the Browder vs. Gayle verdict, thus ending bus segregation in Alabama permanently. Show Less
Dr. Alexander Hamilton
January 11th, 1755 - Alexander Hamilton is born in the West Indies. His employers pay for his education at King’s College, now Columbia University. After writing his first political paper, he joins the Continental Army and becomes an advisor to...Show More
January 11th, 1755 - Alexander Hamilton is born in the West Indies. His employers pay for his education at King’s College, now Columbia University. After writing his first political paper, he joins the Continental Army and becomes an advisor to General Washington, leading a victorious charge at Yorktown. After the war, he becomes a lawyer and defends British loyalists before being named delegate to the Continental Congress. 1787 - Hamilton drafts the Federalist Papers, and then signs the U.S. Constitution. Appointed Secretary of the Treasury, he establishes public credit and forms the first Bank of the United States. Aaron Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel for calling him “the most dangerous man in America”. He sustains a mortal wound at the hands of Vice President Burr and dies the following day. Hamilton brokered the ‘Dinner Table Bargain’, created the Coast Guard and is the subject of the hit Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” Show Less
Dr. Martin Luther King
Michael King, Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia. After a visit to Germany, his father changes their names. At thirteen, King wins an oratorical contest and is ordered to stand on the bus so white passengers can sit down. This inspires him to join...Show More
Michael King, Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia. After a visit to Germany, his father changes their names. At thirteen, King wins an oratorical contest and is ordered to stand on the bus so white passengers can sit down. This inspires him to join the seminary and fight for social justice. He earns his doctorate and soon after leads the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In retaliation, the King home is bombed. He organizes nonviolent protests in Albany and Birmingham before the March on Washington. After winning the Nobel Peace Prize, he organizes the Selma to Montgomery marches and expands his focus to include poverty and opposition to the Vietnam War. On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated. King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a National Holiday is named in his honour. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is dedicated on the National Mall. Show Less
Ho Chi Minh
During World War II, the Japanese invade the French colony of Vietnam. Supported by the American Office of Strategic Services, now the CIA, Ho Chi Minh leads a band of resistance fighters known as the Viet Minh. Ho makes a deal with OSS Agent...Show More
During World War II, the Japanese invade the French colony of Vietnam. Supported by the American Office of Strategic Services, now the CIA, Ho Chi Minh leads a band of resistance fighters known as the Viet Minh. Ho makes a deal with OSS Agent Archimedes Patti to provide intelligence on the Japanese in exchange for a line of communication with the allies. On August 22, 1945, Japanese forces in Vietnam surrender and turn over their posts to the Viet Minh, beginning the August Revolution. Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam's independence from France in a document that Agent Patti says is a near copy of the American Declaration of Independence. The U.S. and Britain fail to recognize the new nation because of their ties to France, so Ho Chi Minh turns to the Soviet Union and China. Soon, Vietnam will demand the attention of the world. Show Less
Palestine and Israel
At the heart of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict is the mutual inability for each nation to understand the narrative of their counterparts. Palestinians need a homeland, but have been denied a state for decades and now live under conditions...Show More
At the heart of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict is the mutual inability for each nation to understand the narrative of their counterparts. Palestinians need a homeland, but have been denied a state for decades and now live under conditions similar to that of a military occupation. Israelis have their own homeland, established by the United Nations, and have the right to increase their borders in order to protect their nation from the threats of their neighbors. If there is to be a permanent resolution to this conflict, then each nation must recognize their mutual right to exist and take ownership of their role in the historical record. Not long ago, Jews and Arabs living in Ottoman Palestine celebrated Eid and Passover together as a community. United, a new era of peace and prosperity can be achieved. Show Less
Slavery in America: The Great Stain
In May of 1787, 55 white men from 12 states met in secret in Philadelphia. These men would write the Constitution, and establish a new American republic built on the principle that, “all men are created equal.” Yet, more than half a million...Show More
In May of 1787, 55 white men from 12 states met in secret in Philadelphia. These men would write the Constitution, and establish a new American republic built on the principle that, “all men are created equal.” Yet, more than half a million black Americans were slaves. Ten states had already outlawed the slave trade, but Georgia and the two Carolinas threatened to walk out if slavery was banned. As a compromise, the Constitution would allow the importation of slaves until 1808. Further disputes over political representation and taxation led to the ? Compromise, a degradation that counted slaves as ? of a person. The Founding Fathers were intent on creating a new government; leaving critical questions of equality and freedom to future generations. Hundreds of years later, Americans continue the struggle for racial equality and the realization of the ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Show Less
The Black Death
1346 - Oriental rat fleas infected with the Yersinia pestis bacterium arrive by boat in several European cities. Within three years, the ‘Pestilence’ or ‘Great Mortality’ grips the entire continent. Bubonic plague earns its name from the...Show More
1346 - Oriental rat fleas infected with the Yersinia pestis bacterium arrive by boat in several European cities. Within three years, the ‘Pestilence’ or ‘Great Mortality’ grips the entire continent. Bubonic plague earns its name from the appearance of buboes; swollen lymph nodes usually found in the armpit, groin or neck. During the Siege of Caffa, Mongols hurl plague cadavers over the walls to spread disease. Jews are accused of poisoning the wells and exterminated throughout Europe. Lepers receive the same treatment. Believing the plague is caused by bad air, people stop bathing, making matters worse. Perfumes and colognes become popular to cover the stench. The pandemic known as the ‘Black Death’ killed an estimated 50 million people, wiping out 60% of Europe’s population. The abundance of death and suffering inspired an artistic genre; the Danse Macabre. Show Less
The Gunpowder Treason
Persecuted by the Protestant monarchy, English Catholic revolutionaries conspire to assassinate King James I and his entire government. The conspirators smuggle two and a half tons of gunpowder into a cellar below the Palace of Westminster, and...Show More
Persecuted by the Protestant monarchy, English Catholic revolutionaries conspire to assassinate King James I and his entire government. The conspirators smuggle two and a half tons of gunpowder into a cellar below the Palace of Westminster, and plan to blow up the House of Lords during the Opening of Parliament on November 5, 1605. An anonymous letter reveals the plot and Guy Fawkes is arrested in the cellar hours before he plans to ignite 36 barrels of gunpowder. Tortured for days at the Tower of London, Fawkes gives up his co-conspirators. They are hung, drawn and quartered in a public execution. To this day, the cellars below the House of Parliament are searched on the day before each State Opening. “Remember, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.” Show Less
The State of Palestine
1916. During World War I, Britain promises Ottoman Palestine to both the Arabs and the Jews. Britain takes control of the region after the war and starts the colony of Palestine; promising to transition power to the Palestinians when they are...Show More
1916. During World War I, Britain promises Ottoman Palestine to both the Arabs and the Jews. Britain takes control of the region after the war and starts the colony of Palestine; promising to transition power to the Palestinians when they are ready to govern themselves. A rapid influx of Jewish immigrants and the rise of Palestinian nationalism set off an Arab rebellion, which is brutally suppressed by British forces and Jewish militias. 1945. At the end of World War II, the United Nations steps in and plans to split Palestine into separate Jewish and Palestinian states. The plan is rejected, sparking the Arab-Israeli War, with the Israelis emerging as victors. For the Israelis, this marks the birth of their nation. For the Palestinians, this disaster becomes known as the nakba. Since then, the Palestinians have been stateless. Show Less
The Story of Earth
Planet Earth was created under the force of gravity, when stellar dust and rocky debris from the solar nebula combined. “Proto-Earth” was completely molten, its atmosphere toxic. A collision with planetoid Theia formed the Moon. Earth was...Show More
Planet Earth was created under the force of gravity, when stellar dust and rocky debris from the solar nebula combined. “Proto-Earth” was completely molten, its atmosphere toxic. A collision with planetoid Theia formed the Moon. Earth was pummelled by asteroids, clearing the way for the first microbial life forms. Oceans took shape and the Earth contained oxygen. Supercontinents split and merged, driving Earth into multiple ice ages and greenhouses. Algae and multicellular organisms developed, followed by the arrival of animals during the Cambrian Explosion. Massive global events guided extinctions, evolution and the arrival of land plants, mammals, dinosaurs and hominins. Earth’s history is so vast, it’s split into four eons, ten eras, twelve periods and seven epochs. Show Less
World War II: Adolf Hitler's Obsession and the Treaty of Versailles
1918. Recovering from a mustard gas attack, corporal Adolf Hitler learns of the German armistice. Given an ultimatum, the German Empire signs the Treaty of Versailles, which treats them as a defeated country and puts their geopolitical goal of...Show More
1918. Recovering from a mustard gas attack, corporal Adolf Hitler learns of the German armistice. Given an ultimatum, the German Empire signs the Treaty of Versailles, which treats them as a defeated country and puts their geopolitical goal of lebensraum, or living space, on hold. Article 231 declares Germany responsible for the war and imposes heavy reparations on its people. In his rise to power, Hitler blames politicians and a weak-willed homefront for losing the war and signing the treaty, which he slams as a stab-in-the-back to the people of Germany. When Hitler invades the Rhineland in 1936, the Third Reich takes hold, reigniting the fervor for lebensraum and revenge. In the final days of World War II, the Allies require unconditional surrender to ensure that Nazi Germany accepts their defeat. Show Less
World War II: Aftermath of Pearl Harbor Attack - USS Arizona Memorial
December 8, 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and...Show More
December 8, 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The surprise attack infuriated the American public and led directly to the American entry into World War II. More than 2,400 Americans died in the attack, including civilians. Nearly half of the fatalities occurred when the USS Arizona’s forward ammunition magazine exploded, causing the ship to sink, entombing many of her crew. Built in 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial marks the resting place of these men. Accessible only by boat, the memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship and honors those that gave their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Show Less
World War II: Before the Attack on Pearl Harbor
1941. Tensions between Japan and the United States run hot as the Imperial Japanese Army invades China and French Indochina. The U.S. responds by sending support to the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek and imposes trade sanctions on...Show More
1941. Tensions between Japan and the United States run hot as the Imperial Japanese Army invades China and French Indochina. The U.S. responds by sending support to the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek and imposes trade sanctions on Japan, which include the freezing of Japanese assets and an embargo on oil. November 5th. Enraged by this financial warfare, Emperor Hirohito approves the plan for the attack on Pearl Harbor, and authorizes Ambassador Nomura to draft proposals for a final attempt at a diplomatic solution. Negotiations break down when President Roosevelt receives a leak of Japan’s war plan. By November 26th, American officials know that Japan is moving invasion forces toward Thailand. Secretary of State Cordell Hull delivers a final proposal to the Empire of Japan, demanding the immediate withdrawal of their forces. But, the strike force that will lead the attack on Pearl Harbor is already in motion. Show Less
World War II: Manzanar - Japanese Internment Camp
In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the California government pleads with Franklin D. Roosevelt to address what they call, the ‘Japanese Problem’. FDR signs Executive Order 9066, authorizing the relocation of over 110,000 Japanese...Show More
In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the California government pleads with Franklin D. Roosevelt to address what they call, the ‘Japanese Problem’. FDR signs Executive Order 9066, authorizing the relocation of over 110,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom are native-born American citizens. The Manzanar War Relocation Camp opens on March 21, 1942 and reaches a population of over 10,000 within a few months. For three years, detainees are forced to call this place home; they work, they play, they give birth and they die. When the Manzanar camp closes in 1945, detainees receive $25 and one-way train or bus fare, although most had nowhere to go. In the shadow of the Sierra Nevadas, the lone guard tower of Manzanar stands at its post off of highway 395; beckoning travelers to stop and learn about its history. Show Less
World War II: Silly Putty - Great Invention?
Silly Putty, useless substance... or brilliant invention? You decide...
World War II: The Attack on Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941, Hawaii. Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa hears the code phrase “East wind, rain” on his short wave radio, signalling an attack on America. North of Oahu, Mitsuo Fuchida, Commander of the Imperial Japanese fleet, launches 183...Show More
December 7, 1941, Hawaii. Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa hears the code phrase “East wind, rain” on his short wave radio, signalling an attack on America. North of Oahu, Mitsuo Fuchida, Commander of the Imperial Japanese fleet, launches 183 planes in the first wave of the assault. U.S. Army soldiers detect the fighters, but mistake them for American B-17 bombers scheduled to arrive from California. 7:48 AM. The Japanese begin their attack, taking the Americans by surprise. “Air raid Pearl Harbor. This is not a drill.” U.S. Navy ships moored at Battleship Row are devastated by armor-piercing bombs and torpedoes, while aircraft at Wheeler Field and Hickam Field are grounded by Japanese Zeros. American anti-aircraft punishes the second wave of the attack, forcing Admiral Nagumo to call off the third wave, which spares shore facilities that would have crippled the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Ninety minutes after it began, the attack on Pearl Harbor was over. Show Less
