United States Congress Met to Enact Bill of Rights in 1789

 Events
Sep 252024
 

First United States Congress met in 1789. One of their first acts was to start the process to adopt the Bill of Rights. Congress told George Washington to submit copies of the Bill of Rights to all the states so that each state could begin its ratification process. New Jersey on November 20, 1789, became the first state to ratify the document. The Bill of Rights was finally adopted on December 15, 1791, when Virginia ratified the amendment. Older children can find out more at: Bill of Rights.

Washington Created His First Cabinet in 1789

 Events
Sep 262024
 

washington-cabinetGeorge Washington established his first cabinet in 1789.

  • Thomas Jefferson became Secretary of State.
  • John Jay was appointed the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
  • Samuel Osgood was the first Postmaster.
  • Edmund J. Randolph was made Attorney General.
  • Henry Knox had become Secretary of War on September 12, 1789. The position was renamed Secretary of Defense in 1949.

Today the President’s cabinet is comprised of the Vice President and fifteen heads of departments. Children can learn more at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet.

Happy Birthday, North Carolina!

 Events
Nov 212024
 
Thumbnail for version as of 07:52, 20 January 2012

North Carolina Flag

North Carolina became the twelfth state of the United States by ratifying the Constitution in 1789. Its founders named the state after Charles I. Carolus means Charles in Latin. The state’s nicknames are the Tar Heel State and Old North State. Raleigh is the state capital. The state ranks 28th in size and 9th in population. In colonial times the state raised rice and tobacco. Leading sources of income today are tobacco, textiles, and furniture. The Wright Brothers flew their first airplane in Kittyhawk, North Carolina. Children could learn more at: North Carolina. They could also find out what a tar heel is.

Thanksgiving Day Was Celebrated Nationally for the First Time in 1789

 Events
Nov 262024
 

Thanksgiving Day was celebrated nationally for the first time in 1789. President Washington issued a proclamation declaring that the day should be one of prayer and thanksgiving. Children could research what the first Thanksgiving meal was. How does it compare to what they eat on the holiday today? In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving would be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In 1941 Congress passed a resolution changing Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday in November. Children can read about “The Year We Had Two Thanksgivings” at: Two Thanksgivings.

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