9 January, marks the birthday of America’s 37th President, Richard Nixon. A Navy veteran of WWII, Nixon won his first race for elective office by defeating an incumbent Congressman in his home state of California in …
Politics
We Have A Winner
It was on 6 January, 2001, that a joint session of Congress certified that George W. Bush was the winner of the 2000 election. In one of the closest Presidential elections in U.S. history, George W. …
The Founder
25 December marks the birth of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the first Governor-General of Pakistan. Born in Karachi and trained as a barrister in London. In 1895, at age 19, he became the youngest Indian to …
Vive La France!
It was on this day, 21 December, in 1958, that Charles de Gaulle was elected the first president of the Fifth Republic by a sweeping majority of French voters. During the next decade, President de …
Let My People Go
It was on 17 December, 1944, that U.S. Major General Henry C. Pratt issued Public Proclamation No. 21, declaring that, effective January 2, 1945, Japanese American “evacuees” from the West Coast could return to their …
The Savior of East Harlem
On 10 December, 1902, Vito Marcantonio was born to an Italian mother and Italian American father in the impoverished ghetto of East Harlem, New York City. He attended the public schools there, and eventually graduated …
Man Against Machine
8 December marks the birthday of Mario Savio, a key leader in the movement for student’s rights. Savio, the son of a steelworker, went to Manhattan College on a full scholarship as well as Queens …
Keep the Faith, Baby!
29 November marks the birthday of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. in 1908. His parents were of mixed race with African and European ancestry. They had ancestors who were classified as mulatto in 19th-century censuses. Powell …
Death of a Literary Giant
20 November marks the death of Lev Tolstoy in 1910. Tolstoy authored sweeping novels, perhaps most notable, ‘War and Peace’ as well as short stories, many inspired by his military service, including, ‘A Prisoner in …
Viva Mexico
The third Monday in November is celebrated as ‘Mexican Revolution Day’. To learn more about the Mexican Revolution read the book, ‘Insurgent Mexico’ by John Reed. University Staff can use their WiscID card to access campus …