Tag Page history

John F. Kennedy: The President with the Highest All Time Approval John F. Kennedy, the thirty fifth president of the United States, is still viewed as one of the most respected leaders in modern American history. Throughout his presidency, his approval rating stayed near 70 percent, which is one of the highest averages ever recorded. His standing is measured through the modern polling system that began in 1936, allowing his numbers to be compared across generations of presidents. Based on this long record of surveys, Kennedy holds the highest average approval of any president in the polling era. Kennedy’s popularity came from his personality, message, and calm leadership during major challenges. His inaugural address, urging Americans to serve their country, became one of the most memorable speeches in US history. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, he guided the country through thirteen days of extreme tension, preventing nuclear conflict and earning wide respect. His support for early civil rights efforts and his commitment to the space program added to the sense that he was leading the nation into a new and ambitious era. Surveys taken long after his death show how strong his legacy remains. One major poll found that 85 percent of Americans approved of his performance when looking back on his presidency. Even during difficult periods, such as the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs invasion, Kennedy kept approval ratings above 70 percent, something few presidents have matched. His calm approach, clear communication, and ability to connect with the public helped him maintain support across states, age groups, and political backgrounds. Kennedy’s consistently high approval demonstrates how trust and confidence from the public shape a president’s place in history. Although he served less than one full term, his leadership during world crises and his appeal to national unity left a lasting mark. #Politics #USA #History #USHistory #America

America’s Largest Cash Heist: The Dunbar Depot Robbery The Dunbar Depot robbery in Los Angeles in 1997 remains the largest cash theft in the United States. A safety inspector at the armored facility spent months studying camera gaps, door access points, employee routines, and the placement of bundled currency. His role allowed unrestricted movement through loading corridors and vault staging areas, giving him a clear understanding of when the depot held the most cash with the fewest workers present. On a Saturday night the crew used duplicate keys to enter the building and moved through a corridor the leader knew would not be captured on video. They reached the loading zone where millions in currency waited for early morning distribution. The thieves restrained employees and seized stacks of high denomination notes arranged for upcoming shipments. They filled large bags with 18 million dollars and exited without triggering alarms or leaving meaningful forensic evidence. A rented truck nearby served as the transport vehicle. The money was divided among storage units, safe houses, and small businesses used to launder portions of the stolen cash. Investigators struggled because the entry showed no forced damage and the timing indicated deep internal knowledge. The clean scene created one of the most difficult financial crime cases in the country, and federal agents later stated they believed additional accomplices never surfaced. The breakthrough came when an accomplice attempted to use a group of bills still in a sequence traceable to the depot inventory. Federal investigators followed the trail and identified multiple conspirators. Arrests followed as associates made large purchases or moved cash in unusual patterns. The organizer received a 24 year sentence and several accomplices received 7 to 10 year terms. Authorities recovered only 5 million dollars, leaving 13 million dollars missing, and the crime remains America’s largest heist. #History #USHistory #USA

The Untold Battles of American Veterans After War Across U.S. history, veterans returning from war often faced neglect despite public praise. Continental soldiers after 1783 struggled to receive promised pay and pensions, delayed by 6 to 12 months. Some threatened to march on Congress in the Newburgh Conspiracy. General Washington’s appeal prevented crisis but revealed how fragile veteran support was. After the Civil War, Northern soldiers were publicly honored, yet many lived with poverty, lingering injuries, and untreated trauma. Confederate veterans faced economic devastation and social disruption. World War I soldiers returned to limited jobs. “Shell shock” now recognized as PTSD was often untreated. In 1932, 17,000 veterans and families formed the Bonus Army in Washington D.C., demanding early payment of bonuses scheduled for 1945. Living in tents along the Anacostia River during the Great Depression, they were forcibly evicted by troops; several were injured, illustrating neglect despite service. World War II veterans fared better. Many returned to ticker tape parades and benefited from the GI Bill offering education and housing. However, racial disparities limited access for Black veterans, and mental health issues often went unaddressed. Vietnam veterans rarely received parades and often faced hostility or silence. Employment and PTSD treatment were difficult to access. Studies show roughly 30 percent experienced PTSD, and repeated low level blast exposure in combat or training can cause CTE like brain pathology recently recognized in military research. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans face 20 percent PTSD prevalence and 12 to 15 percent traumatic brain injuries. Despite public respect, many encounter barriers to care, employment, and reintegration. History shows that real recognition requires sustained mental health support, equitable benefits, and societal commitment, not just words. #History #USHistory #America #Veterans #PTSD #SupportOurVeterans #USA

Ancient Rappahannock villages uncovered in Virginia

Centuries-old mysteries along the Rappahannock River just got a lot clearer—archaeologists have uncovered thousands of artifacts confirming the presence of Indigenous villages that John Smith wrote about back in 1608. These finds don’t just back up old colonial journals; they also match the oral histories of the Rappahannock tribe, whose descendants still live nearby and are working to reclaim their ancestral lands. The discoveries are sparking fresh conversations about how history is remembered and who gets to tell it. What do you think: Should more land be returned to Indigenous communities when their history is proven like this? #History #VirginiaHistory #IndigenousHeritage

The Gallows Await: Lincoln’s Conspirators Meet Their Fate

After President Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, a military commission tried eight conspirators, including Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt. The trial began on May 9, 1865, in Washington, D.C., under strict guard. Witnesses described Booth’s movements in Ford’s Theatre and the coordination among the conspirators. Letters and receipts confirmed the plot. Mary Surratt’s boarding house had hosted secret meetings, and testimony revealed she delivered messages and supplied resources. Powell’s attack on Secretary Seward and Atzerodt’s failed attempt on Vice President Johnson were recounted in shocking detail. After weeks of testimony, the commission sentenced Surratt, Powell, Herold, and Atzerodt to death by hanging. The courtroom had been tense, every word measured. On July 7, 1865, the executions took place at the Washington Arsenal. Each prisoner was led individually to the gallows in the early morning. Soldiers kept strict silence while physicians inspected the ropes and knots. Mary Surratt, calm but solemn, stepped onto the platform first, becoming the first woman executed by the United States federal government. Powell followed, appearing tense but composed. Herold trembled and hesitated before stepping to the edge, while Atzerodt’s face was pale, lips tight. The wind stirred lightly, carrying an eerie quiet. Every step onto the platform seemed to stretch time. The hangings proceeded with precise military procedure, each drop ending in immediate death. Officers, physicians, and select journalists observed, noting the differing reactions of the condemned. Powell held himself stiffly until the last second, Herold shook visibly, and Surratt maintained a haunting dignity. Atzerodt’s fear was clear as he fell. The morning was silent except for the finality of the moments, leaving a lasting impression. The echoes of the trap lingered, a grim reminder of the cost of conspiracy. #USHistory #History #America #Lincoln #EarlyAmerica

Ancient Russian Ritual Site Loaded With Bling

Archaeologists just uncovered a 2,400-year-old 'sacrificial complex' in Russia, and it’s absolutely stacked with treasures. We’re talking over 100 artifacts, including gold tiger plaques, bronze horse gear, and a wooden bowl with silver overlays. Turns out, these burial mounds weren’t just for the dead—nomadic nobles kept coming back for wild ritual parties. The craziest part? Some of the bling was imported from far-off regions, making this the richest site of its kind ever found! #History #archaeology #history

Ancient Roman Piggy Banks Found in France!

Imagine stumbling on your own living room floor and finding three giant jars packed with 40,000 Roman coins! That’s what archaeologists just uncovered in a French village. These 1,800-year-old “piggy banks” weren’t just hidden treasure—they were actually used as ancient savings accounts. The coins even feature emperors from the breakaway Gallic Empire. Talk about a throwback to saving for a rainy day! #History #archaeology #history

Believe it or not, America's most iconic soft drink was invented by a Civil War veteran to treat his morphine addiction. He used a secret ingredient that is now one of the world's most illegal drugs. This is the real story of Coca-Cola. #history #facts #cocacola #HistoryFactsDebunked

Arkansas ICBM Silo Accident: When A Titan II Almost Went Nuclear

On September 18, 1980, a routine maintenance operation at Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 near Damascus, Arkansas, escalated into one of the most serious nuclear accidents in U.S. history. Airmen were performing detailed maintenance on the missile, which stood 103 feet tall, weighed 33 tons, and housed a W-53 thermonuclear warhead capable of 9 megatons, enough to destroy an entire city. During the operation, an airman accidentally dropped an 8-pound socket wrench. The tool fell roughly 80 feet, bounced off a steel thrust mount, and punctured the missile's first-stage fuel tank, releasing Aerozine 50, a highly flammable liquid propellant that reacts instantly with dinitrogen tetroxide. The silo, buried deep and designed to withstand conventional blasts, became a volatile trap. The Air Force evacuated personnel and began emergency containment. Crews attempted to pump water into the silo to dilute fuel vapors and vent pressure, but the chemical reaction persisted. Overnight, the situation worsened, and the combination of leaking fuel and oxidizer created a constant threat of fire or explosion. Around 3:00 a.m. on September 19, a massive explosion occurred, launching the 740-ton silo door hundreds of feet away. The missile and its W-53 warhead were ejected intact. Safety mechanisms prevented a nuclear detonation or radioactive release, but the blast destroyed the silo and nearby equipment. One airman was killed and 21 others injured, mostly emergency responders from Little Rock Air Force Base. Senior Airman David Livingston died, while others suffered burns, broken bones, and shock. The images of the blast became a stark symbol of the Titan II program's dangers. The Damascus accident revealed serious weaknesses in missile maintenance and emergency safety protocols. It showed how a minor error could almost trigger a nuclear catastrophe and prompted the Air Force to review safety measures across the missile program. #USHistory #History #USA #America #Missiles #Defense

During World War II, a dropped knitting needle could change everything. For spies like Phyllis Doyle, a simple ball of yarn wasn't for a scarf—it hid secrets that would help win the war. It was a silent weapon wielded in plain sight. #history #facts #didyouknow #WWII