History Facts

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 – July 3, 1863), fought in Pennsylvania, was the battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War and is frequently cited as the war’s turning point. Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army was defeated, forcing him to retreat back to the South. The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most famous battles in U.S. History and is accurately portrayed in a movie titled “Gettysburg.”

Fact #1 - The strength of the Union army at Gettysburg was roughly 94,000 troops. The Confederates were outnumbered, and had only 72,000.

It feels weird saying the word “only” in the above sentence. Almost 170,000 total troops in one battle is a massive number, especially in such a small town like Gettysburg.

Fact #2 - The Battle of Gettysburg had the largest number of casualties in the Civil War.

Over a 3 day span, the Union suffered 23,055 casualties and the Confederacy had 23,231 respectively.

Fact #3 - General Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Confederate Army and General George S. Meade was the commander of the Union army during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Robert E. Lee is considered one of the most brilliant military minds of the American Civil War and well liked amongst his army. Meade was a short tempered, angry man who was not loved by his soldiers.

Fact #4 - The battle on Little Round Top was one of the most fabled events of the entire war.

Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain of the 20th Maine successfully held his line (the very far end of the left flank) against several Confederate charges. When his men ran out of ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge. It was a bold move, but it paid off.

Fact #5 - Pickett’s Charge was a terrible failure for the Confederacy.

General Lee ordered and infantry assault by 12,500 Confederates against the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. This attack is known today as Pickett’s Charge. Lee believed that the Union would never expect an attack on the very center of their line. But it just so happens Meade predicted this attack and was ready for it.

Tennessee is a state rich with history dating back thousands of years. Most people think of the American Civil War and country music when they think of Tennessee history, but in fact, it goes much deeper then that. There are stories untold and Indian artifacts yet to be unearthed. Continue reading for some of the top Tennessee History Facts.

Fact #1 - Paleo-Indians are believed to have hunted and camped in what is now Tennessee as early as 12,000 years ago.

It’s hard to even imagine what the country was like 12,000 years ago. That’s before the time of the Egyptian Pyramids! Researchers still debate today how and when humans first got to the Americas. Some say they crossed a frozen land bridge over the Bering Strait. Whatever the method, they eventually made it to what is now Tennessee.

Fact #2 - Hernando de Soto, in 1539–43, is credited as being the first European to set foot in what is now Tennessee.

Hernando de Soto’s expedition ranged throughout the entire southeastern United States including up to the Mississippi River, where he eventually died. War and disease from the Europeans evetually wiped out a majority of the Native Indian population living in the Tennessee area.

Fact #3 - Tennessee is an American state and a constituent part of the United States of America. It was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796.

Tennessee was the 16th state to join the union. Tennessee was initially part of the North Carolina territory, but when North Carolina petitioned for statehood, the broke off at the Smokey Mountain border and gave the Tennessee land to the federal government.

Fact #4 - Having ratified by popular vote its connection with the fledgling Confederacy, Tennessee became the last state to withdraw from the Union.

After only being a state for 60 years, Tennessee left the union in 1861. Tennessee’s cities and farms were home to more Civil War battles than any other state, except Virginia.

Fact #5 - National attention came Tennessee’s way during the trial of John T. Scopes, the so-called “Scopes Monkey Trial.” In 1925, the General Assembly, as part of a general education bill, passed a law that forbade the teaching of evolution in the public schools.

Tennessee is known for their strong religion values, so it’s no surprise that they passed a law to forbid the teaching of evolution in public schools. After eight days of trial, it took the jury only nine minutes to deliberate. Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered to pay a $100.00 fine.

Old Abe Lincoln was the 16th President! 16th President! Ahhh… who am I kidding, you know the song right? I’m not the only one who learned it in 3rd grade am I? Well, back on topic. Abraham Lincoln was probably the greatest US President in History. Only FDR has been handed a comparable plate of issues. Today’s post is compiled of several interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln. There are so many it was hard to choose from, so I would check back in the future for Part II.

Fact #1 - Abraham Lincoln was the first president to have a beard while in office.

In the work place it is always said that a man looks more professional when he is cleanly shaven. Back in the mid 1800s, bears were quite popular. And not just regular beards… men worse chops and other obscure styles. About 10 other U.S. Presidents have had facial hair.

Fact #2 - Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be born outside of the original thirteen colonies. He was born in Kentucky.

On November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States (the country’s first Republican President), beating Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. His western roots were crucial in winning the Western and border states.

Fact #3 - Abraham Lincoln led the Union in the Civil War (1861-1865) to prevent the Southern states from seceding from the United States.

As President, Lincoln’s top priority was to preserve the union. 7 confederate states actually suceeded just before Lincoln took office, and many other border states warned the President they would not support him.

Fact #4 - Abraham Lincoln’s brother, half-brothers, and brothers-in-law fought in the Confederate Army.

Talk about a family rivalry! It was actually not uncommon to have brothers fighting brothers in the Civil War. Slavery and states’ rights were hot topics that people grew up passionate about. It’s hard to believe that a President’s own brother wouldn’t stand by him.

Fact #5 - Lincoln was first president to be assassinated. He was shot at Ford’s Theater in Washington DC on the night of April 14, 1865.

A week prior to his death, Lincoln had a dream of his own assassination. He confessed the dream to his head bodyguard (who happened to be off duty the night of Lincoln’s murder). Old Abe was seeing the play “Our American Cousin” when he was shot. He died 9 hours later.