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History & Discoveries
The Liberty Cap: Symbol of American Freedom
The 2024 Olympic mascot is a conical cap, the Phryge, a French symbol of freedom, but it symbolized freedom in the United States before the French adopted it.
History & Discoveries
The Original Olmsted Trees
Celebrating the history of tree planting and tree preservation at the U.S. Capitol Grounds by highlighting some of the oldest trees on the grounds.
History & Discoveries
Jefferson Finds Capitol Inspiration in City of Light
Thomas Jefferson, inspired by skylights he saw in Paris, prevailed upon the Architect of the Capitol to include something similar in the U.S. Capitol's new chamber for the House of Representatives. However, all the skylights came to an untimely end.
History & Discoveries
Evolution of Women in Art at the U.S. Capitol
An in-depth look at the evolution of women in art at the U.S. Capitol.
Comments
Where were the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights stored during the burning of Washington in 1812 ?_x000D_ _x000D_ Mike Minehart_x000D_ _x000D_
I teach a course in American Foreign Policy at Florida Atlantic University
and we cover the War of 1812 in some detail.
Your information on where the Constitution and Bill of Rights were stored
at this time, shall be greatly appreciated by myself and my students.
Thanks.
This was definitely something to think about.
To have the visual account available for posting was si incredible. At this time in US History the historical account of our capitol's past is incitful and appreciated. Thank you AOC and historians..
BJRobinson
6 Jan 2022
Awesome history facts. Love it!
Thank you so much
If the British Troops burned most of Washington, D.C., and many of the Capitol, White House, Library of Congress, etc., is it safe to say they burned the original constitution?
Hi Carl, clerks at the Department of State helped save the Constitution and many other important documents. For more information on this please see "Rescue of the Papers of State During the Burning of Washington."
Great historical report; partuculary in these times when the same capitol building was once again breeched by citizens of 2021 United States of America !!!
Breeching is not the same as an attack from another country(English & Native Indians aka. CANADIANS) marched into your Capital and set fire for a retaliatory attack on our then capital in now modern day Toronto. It was the first and only time they were attacked on US Continental soil. What about December 7, 1941? Pearl Harbour is NOT continental soil.
The history of Canada is inextricably intertwined with the history of the United States of America. In the early 1980s I resided near the corner of Spring Garden Road & South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A short distance away, near the corner of Spring Garden Road & Barrington Street lies the "Old Burying Ground," wherein are interred the remains of Major General Robert Ross, who, in conjunction with Sir A. Cockburn, commanded the burning of Washington (Aug. 24, 1814) in retaliation for the sacking of York, Upper Canada, (April 27, 1813) during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key composed the "Star Spangled Banner" during that [Baltimore area] battle, that claimed the life of Ross.
Directly across the street from the "Old Burying Ground", at 1479 Barrington Street, Halifax, is St. Matthew's United Church (originally Protestant Dissenting: Congregational; Presbyterian and finally United). Rev. Aaron Cleaveland, its first minister, was the Great Great Grandfather of Grover Cleveland (note the Cleaveland/Cleveland Spelling difference) 22nd & 24th President of the U.S.A. The church was originally located on Halifax's Hollis Street before it relocated to Pleasant Street (today Barrington St.) Originally the Church was known as Mather's Church, named after Cotton Mather of the famous New England Mather Family. Someone prefixed 'St.' to Mather and eventually the name evolved into St. Matthew's. Rev. Aaron Cleveland died at the Philadelphia, Penn., residence of his close friend Benjamin Franklin on Aug. 11, 1757 and is buried in Christ Church Cemetery in that city.
The first endowment for the renowned Toronto General Hospital was obtained by a number of enthusiasts, chief among whom were Dr. Christopher Widmer (often compared to Sir Astley Cooper), who melted down their medals given for service in the War of 1812. Located at several different addresses over its long history, the present location on Toronto's University Avenue & College Street, was somewhat inspired by Johns Hopkins at Baltimore. Dr. William Osler (one of the so-called BIG FOUR of Johns Hopkins) married the Grand Daughter of Paul Revere ( of "The British are Coming" fame). Dr. Osler's parents are buried in St. James' Cemetery, Toronto, not far from the grave of Dr. Christopher Widmer. Victor C. Ernst, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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