Michael L. Ross's Blog: Coming soon!, page 15

Who designed the first American flag?

Francis Hopkinson (September 21, 1737 – May 9, 1791) Did you think Betsy Ross? No, the designer of the first official American flag was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson. Francis was born in Philadelphia, to Thomas Hopkinson … Continued

What was an Ironclad in the Civil War?

More than just the Monitor and the Merrimack Virtually every student of the Civil War has heard of the epic battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack, two early ironclad warships. But were they the only ones? Not by a … Continued

Who was Blanche Bruce?

Blanche Bruce  (March 1, 1841 – March 17, 1898) In every job, there has to be someone who is the first to do it. Trailblazing is not always easy or comfortable. Blanche Bruce was the first African American to serve a … Continued

Did you know… Samuel Huntington?

One of the lesser known founding fathers, Samuel Huntington was early proof of the fact that in America, a man with ambition willing to work hard can achieve almost anything. Samuel was not born rich or privileged, like so many … Continued

Who founded Tuskegee University?

"I have always felt that Mr. Adams, in a large degree, derived his unusual power of mind from the training given his hands in the process of mastering well three trades during the days of slavery. If one goes to-day into any Southern town, and asks for the leading and most reliable coloured man in the community, I believe that in five cases out of ten he will be directed to a Negro who learned a trade during the days of slavery.

Footrace and The Civil War

Sam Watkins and the Footrace of Murfreesboro Sam Watkins was a Confederate soldier with the First Tennessee regiment. He’s one of many that left colorful accounts of his time during the war. Sometime near the Battle of Shelbysville, June 27, … Continued

Why did John Hancock sign the declaration so big?

“There! His Majesty can now read my name without glasses. And he can double the reward on my head!”

How did the Little Rock Nine Change History?

"I walked up to the guard who had let the white students in. He didn't move. When I tried to squeeze past him, he raised his bayonet and then the other guards moved in and they raised their bayonets. They glared at me with a mean look and I was very frightened and didn't know what to do. I turned around and the crowd came toward me. They moved closer and closer. Somebody started yelling, "Drag her over this tree! Let's take care of that nigger!"

Women on opposite sides

Civil War Day – How did nurses saving lives view the opposition? Kate Cumming, Confederate nurse writes: May 30, 1864 —We have had a great deal of excitement lately. Word was brought in by someone that five thousand Federal cavalry … Continued

What are five interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson?

Signers of the Declaration of Independence Jefferson is so well known and recognized, it is difficult to tell anything of him that is unusual. Of the many signers, he and Benjamin Franklin probably wrote the most and left the most … Continued