Many days have changed America and had an unexpected effect. In 2006, a ten-hour miniseries comprised of ten parts aired on the History Channel over a five-day period. Later, the material was adapted into a book, and it kept the same name when it was published. So, let’s see what changed history.
Mystic Massacre
The massacre took place during the Pequot War in 1637. A force from the Connecticut Colony and their allies set fire to the Pequot Fort. They shot anyone who tried to escape and decimated most of the village. It’s estimated that more than 400 people were killed. The only survivors were warriors who had been on a raiding party. They then proceeded to scalp the fallen, and only five of the entire village escaped.
Shay’s Rebellion
The rebellion was an armed uprising in response to a debt crisis. The state government was trying to collect taxes on people and their businesses. The fighting took place in the late 1700s, and scholars have argued that four thousand rebels protested the economic and civil injustices and were led by Daniel Shays. After Lincoln began marching against the rebels, it marked the end of the resistance. No one would assist the rebels, and after new laws were passed, 4,000 people signed confessions.
The Gold Rush
Depicted in movies, books, and other media, the Gold Rush has long fascinated people. The idea of gold brought about 300,000 people to California from all over. Everyone was desperate to try to find some. However, the Native Americans suffered from genocide. Entire indigenous societies were brutally attacked, murdered, or forced off their own land. Towns were being built to accommodate the people, and in 1850, California became a state.
Battle Of Antietam
The first field-army level engagement on Union soil, the battle was one of the bloodiest days in America’s history. There were over 700 missing, over 9,500 wounded, and over 2,000 people killed in the North Army. There were over 1,000 missing, over 7,500 wounded, and over 1,500 died on the Confederate side. The Union Army repelled the Confederate invasion, but it didn’t beat the army outright and suffered heavier casualties.
Homestead Strike
The strike was an industrial lockout and then a strike that ultimately culminated in a battle. The governor sent National Guard members to protect the strikebreakers. The dispute was between the AA and the Carnegie Steel Company. The final result was a massive defeat for the union strikers and led to a setback for unionizing steelworkers. However, it was pivotal to U.S. Labor History.
The Death Of President McKinley
President McKinley was assassinated with a .32 caliber Iver Johnson revolver. He was shot by an anarchist twice in the stomach, and he died eight days later of gangrene. This marked the third president to be assassinated. The man responsible for his death was subsequently sentenced to death. Then, legislation was passed for the Secret Service to be responsible for protecting the president.
The Scopes Trial
A legal case that regarded a high school teacher and his being accused of violating the Butler Act. It was said that the trial was staged to drum up publicity for Dayton, Tennessee. In the end, the teacher incriminated himself on purpose to give the case a defendant, and he was found guilty. Eventually, the verdict was overturned on a technicality.
Encouraging Nuclear Weaponry
Albert Einstein was a brilliant man, and in 1939, he signed a letter written by Leo Szilard that was sent to the president. The letter warned that Germany might develop atomic bombs and it was suggested that America do the same and start our own nuclear program. The president began to act and thus the Manhattan Project was born.
Elvis Presley And Ed Sullivan
When Ed Sullivan first began to think about Elvis, he said he was unfit for family viewing, and Elvis soon began to be called ‘Elvis Pelvis.’ However, he appeared on the Steve Allen show, and it beat the Ed Sullivan Show in ratings. After, Elvis was booked for three appearances for $50,000. A sum that at that time was unheard of. When he first appeared in the 1950s, he was seen by more than 50 million viewers.
Civil Rights Workers Being Murdered
Three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, were killed near Philadelphia. The group was investigating the burning of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church. Parishioners had been beaten by KKK members. The klansmen were then responsible for accusing the sheriff’s deputy of stopping their caravan. The trio was arrested and taken to jail, but upon release, they weren’t allowed to call anyone. When they were driving back to Meridian, they were pulled over and murdered.
A History
Our country’s history has had immeasurable death and sorrow. Through these ten days, you can see how innocent people were murdered, and how it affected the country and their stances on issues. Because of these events, people stood up for their beliefs, continued fighting for change, and avenged those they loved.
