Remember When: The Moon Mission You’ve Never Heard Of—and the Women Who Made It Possible
On July 31, 1964, Ranger 7 became the first American spacecraft to successfully photograph the Moon up close. Just 17 minutes before crashing into the lunar surface, it transmitted over 4,300 stunning images—crystal-clear glimpses of the Moon that helped pave the way for the Apollo missions and, five years later, Neil Armstrong’s famous steps.
Remember When: No One Was Above the Law
On this day in 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in United States v. Nixon that President Richard Nixon had to turn over secret Oval Office recordings to a federal court. The decision would lead directly to his resignation just 16 days later.
Remember When a Poet Refused to Lie for Power?
Her name was Wisława Szymborska.
She grew up in Poland under fascism and then communism — regimes that demanded loyalty, silence, and propaganda.
Remember When Justice Wore a Crown of Courage?
On July 2, 1908, Thurgood Marshall was born.
He would go on to change the course of American history.
Remember When Justice Wore a Crown of Courage?
On July 2, 1908, Thurgood Marshall was born.
He would go on to change the course of American history.
Origin Stories: NATO
Born from the ashes of World War II, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded on April 4, 1949 to ensure that never again would democracy stand alone against authoritarian aggression.
Anne Frank Was Born Today. The World Still Needs Her Words.
95 years ago today, Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Thirteen years later, she was in hiding in an Amsterdam attic, writing in the diary that would outlive her and become one of the most powerful personal accounts of the Holocaust.
Celebrating Richard Scarry: A World Full of Busy, Curious Animals
On June 5, 1919, the world welcomed Richard Scarry, the imaginative mind behind Busytown — a place where cats drove banana cars, pigs directed traffic, and worms wore tiny hats.
Remember When: The World Eradicated Smallpox?
May 8, 1980 — a date the world should never forget. On this day, after a decades-long global vaccination campaign, the World Health Organization officially declared smallpox eradicated. It remains one of the greatest public health achievements in human history — and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when the world comes together for the common good.
Origin Story: Medicaid
Established in 1965 under the Social Security Act, Medicaid was born from a national commitment to health justice. It ensures that low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities can access essential healthcare—no matter their zip code.
Remember When: Blood Was Shed for the 8-Hour Workday
It began with a simple demand: eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will.
Remember When: Europe Came Together for Democracy
May 1, 2004: A New Era for Europe.
Twenty-one years ago this week, ten countries — Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia — officially joined the European Union, marking the largest single expansion in the EU’s history.
Remember When: Student Protests Grew in Beijing
On April 24, 1989, the heart of Beijing pulsed with the chants of thousands of students demanding change. What began as mourning for reform-minded leader Hu Yaobang quickly turned into a bold call for democracy, free speech, and government accountability.
Origin Story: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), often called the Consumer Protection Agency, was born out of the 2008 financial crisis—a time when millions of Americans lost homes, jobs, and savings due to unchecked lending practices and regulatory gaps. In response, the federal government passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.
Remember When: Apollo 13 Came Home – April 17, 1970
“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”
Those words—calm, understated, and broadcast from 200,000 miles away—sent a chill through NASA’s Mission Control and the world. What was meant to be the third manned mission to the Moon quickly became a desperate struggle to bring three astronauts home alive.
Remember When a Woman First Took a Seat at the Cabinet Table?
On April 10, 1880, Frances Perkins was born — a woman who would go on to quietly reshape American life as we know it. In 1933, she became the first woman in U.S. history to serve in a presidential cabinet, appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt as Secretary of Labor during the Great Depression. But she didn’t just make history by being first — she made history by what she did with the role.
Dr. King’s Final Speech: A Call We Still Answer
April 3, 1968 — On a stormy night in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before a crowd at the Mason Temple and delivered what would be his final public speech: “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”
Honoring Lusia Harris: The Queen of Basketball
As March Madness heats up, we’re taking a time-out to honor a true trailblazer whose legacy defines the spirit of the game—Lusia “Lucy” Harris.
The Power of a Kind Neighbor: Remembering Mr. Rogers
March 20 marks what would have been the birthday of Fred Rogers—the beloved neighbor to millions of children across generations. It’s a day to reflect on the kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength of a man who taught us all how to navigate the world with empathy and understanding.
Origin Stories: The Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students and streamline federal education policies. Before its creation, education oversight was scattered across multiple agencies, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in funding and policy implementation.