New York Fire Department

This is a picture of the New York City Fire Department taken in 1908. It shows one of the City's first motorized fire engines. Earlier fire trucks were pulled by teams of horses.

Confederate Spy

Maria Isabella "Belle" Boyd was born on May 4, 1844. She was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia. On July 4, 1861, a band of drunken Union soldiers broke into her home in Martinsburg, intent on raising the union flag over her house. When one of the soldiers insulted her mother, Belle shot and killed him with a pistol. Belle was 17 years old. A board of inquiry cleard her of all charges, but soldiers were posted around the house and officers kept close track of her activities. She profited from this arrangement, charming at least one of the officers, Daniel Keily, into revealing military secrets. "To him," she wrote later, "I am indebted for some very remarkable effusions, some withered flowers, and a great deal of important information." Belle conveyed those secrets to Confederate officers.

One evening in May of 1862, Union General James Shields and other officers gathered in the parlor of a local hotel. Belle hid upstairs, listening through a knothole in the floor. She learned that Shields had been ordered east, a move that would reduce the Union Army's strength at Front Royal. That night, Belle rode through Union lines and reported the news to a Confederate Scout. She then returned to town. When the Confederates advanced on Front Royal on May 23, Belle ran to greet General Stonewall Jackson's men, braving enemy fire that put bullet holes in her skirt. She urged an officer to inform Jackson that "the Yankee force is very small. Tell him to charge right down and he will catch them all." Jackson did and that evening penned a note of gratitude to her: "I thank you, for myself and for the army, for the immense service that you have rendered your country today."

Belle was betrayed by one of the Union Soldiers who had been providing her with information. She was arrested on this day (July 29th) in the year 1862. She was inprisoned in the Old Capital Prison in Washington DC.

Children in Bomb Shelter

This is an interesting image from 1941. It shows children in a bomb shelter in Britain. The children are huddled in a trench, watching the skies.

Prohibition

This is a picture taken in 1922 in Washington DC. It shows a woman with a flask hidden in her boot. This of course, was during the period of prohibition in the United States

The Invocation

Today we feature a picture of a Sioux Indian in Prayer. We call the photograph, "The Invocation". It was taken in 1907 by Edward S. Curtis.

President Ulysses S. Grant

This is a nice portrait of President Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was an unknown, unsuccessful man, until he joined the army. In the Civil War, he quickly rose through the ranks, as he was one of the few Union Generals that was achieving success on the ground. Grant died on this day (July 23rd) in the year 1885.

President Abraham Lincoln

This is a great portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The president surprised his cabinet on this day (July 22) in 1862 by revealing to them a first draft he had written of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Stone House

Today we feature a photograph of a stone house. The house sits at the corner of the Manassas/Sudley Road and the Warrenton Turnpike in Virginia. The photograph was taken in 1861. On this date (July 21st) in 1861, this house was the central point of the first major battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Bull Run. At this point in time, Northerners were confident that the war would be over in a matter of a few weeks. When the upper crust of Washington DC and Maryland heard that the two armies were approaching each other in this area, they all turned out to watch the battle, expecting to see the Rebels get routed. Women brought picnics, and carousels, and people rode out in fancy buggies. Unseasoned Union Army troops under General Irvin McDowell advanced against the Confederate Army under Generals Joseph E. Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard. The Union army appeared to be gaining the advantage early in the battle, as the Confederate line appeared to begin to crumble. As it began to look hopeless for the Confederates, one brigade from Virginia stood firm, under the command of General Thomas J. Jackson. Confederate units in retreat noticed General Jackson's Brigade standing firm near the stone house pictured above, and someone commented, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall". Jackson's stand encouraged the Rebels, who reversed their retreat, and attacked. This set the Union army into a panic. The entire union army was routed, and the soldiers began a paniced run back to Washington DC. All the elite of Washington that had turned out to watch the battle were caught up in the middle of the action, as the Union army scattered. Several carriages were hit by Rebel shells, and many overturned in the panic of the retreat.

Sitting Bull

Today we feature a portrait of famed Sioux chief and warrior Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull is remembered as the man who defeated Custer and his 7th Cavalry. After this 1876 battle, Sitting Bull became a fugitive. Over the next year, US Army forces relentlessly pursued the Sioux, forcing many of the Indians to surrender. Sitting Bull refused to surrender, and escaped into Canada, where he remained in exile for many years, refusing a pardon and the chance to return. Hunger and cold eventually caught up with him, and on this day (July 19th) in 1881, Sitting Bull, his family, and a few remaining warriors surrendered to Army forces.

Roping a Buffalo

Today we feature a picture of three cowboys roping a bufallo. The picture was taken in 1887 by John Grabill.

Colonel Robert Shaw

Today we feature a portrait of Civil War Colonel Robert Shaw. It was on this day (July 18th) in the year 1863 that Robert Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts Infantry against the heavily entrenched Confederate position at Fort Wagner. The 54th Massachusetts Infantry was made up of Runaway and Emancipated Slaves. Colonel Shaw led the charge and, along with most of his regiment, fell in the attack. The confederates, highly offended that the Union would employ ex-slaves in the army, sought to desecrate Mr. Shaw, by burying him in a mass grave with the Black soldiers who fell with him. This attempt to humiliate Shaw turns out to be the greatest honor that could have been bestowed on him. Mr Shaw, and his brave Black compatriots, was the subject of the movie "Glory"

Potsdam Conference

Today we feature an interesting photograph of Stalin, President Truman, and Winston Churchill. These were the three most powerful men in the world at the time. The photograph was taken at the Potsdam Conference, which was a meeting to figure out how to move forward in the world after World War II. The Potsdam Conference began on this day (July 17) in the year 1945.

Billy the Kid

Today we feature a photograph of noted outlaw William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. He was a 19th century Old West outlaw and gunman. He was a key combatant in the Lincoln County Wars. He was reported to have killed 21 men, one for each year of his life.

William Bonney, aka Billy the Kid, was killed on this day (July 14th) in the year 1881 near Fort Sumner, New Mexico. He was killed in a shootout with Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett, who was formerly a friend.

President Woodrow Wilson

Today we show a picture of President Woodrow Wilson as he throws out the first pitch at the opening game of the 1916 baseball season.

Mexican Bandit Pancho Villa

Today we feature a photograph of Pancho Villa, a Mexican Bandit, Revolutionary, and Populist Politician.

Aaron Burr

Today we feature an image of Aaron Burr. Aaron Burr was an American politician, Revolutionary War hero and adventurer. He was the third Vice President of the United States. On this date (July 11th) in 1804, Burr participated in the infamous Burr-Hamilton duel. This was a duel between two prominent American politicians, former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and sitting Vice President Aaron Burr. Burr shot and killed Hamilton.

President Millard Fillmore

Today we feature a portrait of Millard Fillmore, who took office on this day (July 10th) in 1850, upon the death of Zachary Taylor. This photograph was made by Mathew Brady.

Children of Mexican Cotton Picker

Today we feature a picture of the Children of Mexican Cotton Pickers. The picture was taken in 1937 by Dorothea Lange. It was made around Casa Grande, Arizona.

Freed Slaves

Today we feature a picture of Freed Slaves in Richmond Virginia. The photograph was taken in 1865, shortly after Richmond fell to Union forces.

Old Glory

Today we feature a photograph of Old Glory from the Civil War. A soldier from the 37th Pennsylvania Infantry is shown in uniform holding the flag. The photograph was taken in 1864. On this 4th of July we say "Thank You" to all the men and women in the armed forces, working to protect our freedom, and provide for our safety.

Cavalier

Today we feature a photograph of a Cavalier, a US Army Cavalry Soldier on his Horse. The picture was taken in 1890.

Two Girls Waffle House

Today we feature a photograph of the Two Girls Waffle House. This Establishment was in Anchorage Alaska, and the picture was made in 1910.

Fallen of Gettysburg

Today we feature a photograph from the Battle of Gettysburg. A fallen Confederate soldier is shown in the center of the picture, next to his rifle. The area pictured was known as the "Devil's Den". The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest battles in American History, with over 46,000 men killed or wounded.
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on this day (June 30) in the year 1863.