An historical event refers to activities from the past which are documented. They may have significant ramifications on both future generations and their environments, leading to changes that affect them both directly and indirectly.
Many Americans consider history to be significant. Indeed, 8 out of 10 Millennials and 79% of Gen Xers identify Sept 11th as their most significant historic event ever experienced in their lifetimes.
1. New Year’s Day
At the start of each new year, people take time to look back on what has been accomplished and look ahead to what may lie ahead. They also mark this special momentous event by gathering with family and friends for celebrations on this momentous day.
Cultures using calendars other than the Gregorian are celebrated on different dates for New Year’s Day, for example the Jewish New Year falls in September while Hindu New Years is typically in January or early February.
New Year’s Day is celebrated with parties, fireworks and special events that often air live on television. Many also take this day as an opportunity to set their resolutions for diet, exercise and finances for 2019.
2. Independence Day
After years of tax agitation and war with Great Britain, 13 colonies finally adopted a Declaration of Independence to officially cut all ties with Britain and declare their freedom from them. This event became known as July 4, 1776.
The Declaration states that “all men are created equal” and have certain inalienable rights – such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – which cannot be taken away from them. Thomas Jefferson is widely credited with writing such an eloquent document.
After the War of 1812, Congress established Independence Day as a national holiday. Over time, Independence Day lost much of its political importance but still became an important symbol of American patriotism; many Americans still celebrate it today with parades, fireworks displays and picnics.
3. Thanksgiving
Today’s Thanksgiving feasts and parades can trace their roots back to 1621 harvest celebration between Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians, although the day did not become a national day until 1863.
Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Ladies’ Magazine and Godey’s Lady’s Book, began advocating for a national day of thanksgiving as early as 1827 and continued writing letters to politicians until her death 36 years later.
Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to surrender her seat on a segregated bus is one of the key events that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and, eventually, to the Civil Rights Movement.
4. Christmas
Charlemagne united much of Europe under his rule in 800 AD, marking this event with a festival that today we recognize as Christmas.
World War I brought death and destruction, yet moments of peace could still be found during that terrible conflict. One such instance was during Christmas truce in 1914 where German and British soldiers met up in no man’s land to exchange gifts and play some football together.
In 1968, Anders Celsius of America created his Centigrade temperature scale. On Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 astronauts became the first men ever to land and orbit around the moon.
5. Memorial Day
Germany experiences a surge of anti-Semitic harassment that culminates in the “Night of Broken Glass,” when Nazi storm troopers destroy Jewish businesses and homes.
Although its exact date and origin remain disputed, historians believe Memorial Day began after the Civil War with springtime gatherings to remember and decorate graves of those who had passed during conflict.
Waterloo, New York was the official birthplace of Memorial Day; however, other towns claim they were too. Over time it evolved into honoring all fallen soldiers from our nation’s wars, though some states still observe a separate day for Confederate veterans.
6. Independence Day
After years of unrest and conflict, the Second Continental Congress finally convened and began work on a document that would formally break all ties with Great Britain. A committee led by Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
By the end of 1776, 13 colonies had voted to separate from England and Congress had approved the Declaration of Independence stating that “all men are created equal” with certain inalienable rights to life, liberty and happiness. Americans began celebrating July Fourth annually after 1812 war as an important day. Since then parades, fireworks, picnics and concerts are some of the popular ways to mark it.
