On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress adopts our Declaration of Independence. It had already resolved on July 2 that “these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States . . . .” Now it formally adopted a written document, too. It took nearly a month to write the Declaration. You may know that Thomas Jefferson was the primary author, but he had help, too. What is the rest of the story? On June 11, Congress nominated a “Committee of Five” to draft a declarat

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On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress declared America’s independence! Did you know that this vote actually occurred on July 2, not July 4? “That these United Colonies are,” congressional delegates resolved, “and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown . . . .” There would be no more attempts to reconcile with Great Britain. John Adams was elated, and he thought that July 2 would be celebrated as a memorable day

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On this day in 1944, Allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy, France. Today is the anniversary of D-Day! That effort was massive. More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft would eventually participate in the invasion—and more than 160,000 Allied soldiers would disembark on French shores. It was the largest amphibious invasion in history. It was also the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Dicey weather nearly put a stop to everything, but General Dwight D. Eisenhower plowed ahead. The l

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On this day in 1945, a soldier is presented with a Medal of Honor. Paul J. Wiedorfer had charged through snow and ice on Christmas Day during the Battle of the Bulge. It should have been a suicidal run, but he’d survived his fearless charge relatively unscathed. Unfortunately, serious wounds came several weeks later, during a different conflict. Wiedorfer learned that he was to receive the Medal of Honor as he recuperated in a hospital. “Hey, Paul,” a fellow patient asked as he browsed through

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