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Gideon v. Wainwright

2012-04-29T13:17:44Z

In 1963, the US Supreme Court ruled on Gideon v. Wainwright, a landmark decision requiring states to provide defense counsel in all criminal cases on the basis that it would be a violation of the sixth amendment rights. Due to this, the number of public defenders in the country exponentially rose. Learn more about this important case and its significance:

Gideon v. Wainwright

Gideon v. Wainwright originally appeared on About.com American History on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 13:17:44.

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James Monroe - 5th US President

2012-04-28T04:04:10Z

James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758 to relatively wealthy Virginia planters. However, both of his parents soon died, and he inherited his father's estate at a young age. Monroe had a distinguished career during the American Revolution. Afterwards, he had a huge political career that included all of the following positions at one time or another:

Senator
Minister to France
Minister to Great Britain
Negotiator for the Louisiana Purchase
Governor of Virginia
Secretary of State
Secretary of War

In 1816, he was elected as the fifth US President. His time in office is often referred to as the Era of Good Feelings due to the lack of partisan politics during the time. He is also remembered for issuing the Monroe Document.

James Monroe - 5th US President originally appeared on About.com American History on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 04:04:10.

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Top 10 Significant Presidential Elections

2012-04-27T09:12:33Z

As the nomination for Mitt Romney seems to be more and more assured, America is heading into its 57th presidential election. Only time will tell how significant this election will be. The following article takes a look at the ten most significant presidential elections in US history.

Top Ten Significant Presidential Elections

Top 10 Significant Presidential Elections originally appeared on About.com American History on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 09:12:33.

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Ulysses S Grant

2012-04-27T03:59:46Z

On April 27, 1822, Ulysses S Grant was born. He was destined to lead the Union forces during the US Civil War. After the war, he rode a wave of popularity to be elected as the eighteenth president of the United States. Unfortunately, his time in office was wracked by five presidential scandals. Sadly, after the presidency, he lost all his money and wrote his memoirs as a way to raise money for his wife before his death on July 23, 1885.

Ulysses S Grant originally appeared on About.com American History on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 03:59:46.

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John Wilkes Booth's Death...

2012-04-26T03:59:12Z

On April 26, 1865, John Wilkes Booth was found hiding with co-conspirator David Herold in a barn near Port Royal, Virginia. While Herold surrendered, Booth refused so the barn was set on fire. In the ensuing chaos, a soldier shot and killed Booth. However, there are some who claim that he did not die but instead escaped despite the fact that many people who knew Booth identified his body. There are many conspiracies surrounding Abraham Lincoln's death including ones that Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, ones that involved Andrew Johnson, and even one that included the Catholic Church.

Learn more:

Abraham Lincoln Assassination Conspiracies

John Wilkes Booth's Death... originally appeared on About.com American History on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 03:59:12.

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Great Depression Resources

2012-04-26T03:48:58Z

Want to learn more about the Great Depression? These resources can help:

Great Depression Resources originally appeared on About.com American History on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 03:48:58.

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Famous Americans Killed During World War II

2012-04-25T07:50:39Z

Americans from all walks of life joined in the fight against tyranny during World War II. This list was created to help remember famous American actors, musicians, athletes, and journalists who died while participating in the war effort in some manner. From Glenn Miller to Ernie Pyle read about these courageous individuals.

Famous Americans Killed in World War II

Famous Americans Killed During World War II originally appeared on About.com American History on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 at 07:50:39.

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Ronald Reagan Assassination Attempt

2012-03-30T05:11:32Z

On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt when John Hinckley, Jr. shot him in the hopes of gaining notoriety and impressing Jodi Foster. He was later found guilty by reason of insanity and placed in a mental institution. Reagan's survival meant the breaking of Tecumseh's Curse.

Presidential Assassinations and Assassination Attempts

Ronald Reagan Assassination Attempt originally appeared on About.com American History on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 05:11:32.

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American Literature Between 1815 and 1860

2012-03-30T05:07:16Z

Until 1815, America did not really have its own literary style and following. However, between 1815 and 1860 there was a wealth of authors publishing what today we consider the classics of American literature. This article takes a look at ten American literature authors who affected not only the literary but also the political scene of the day.

American Literature Between 1815 and 1860 originally appeared on About.com American History on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 05:07:16.

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Who Were the Muckrakers?

2012-03-30T05:04:59Z

The term muckraker was coined by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Investigative reporting had truly started in 1902 and many of the books and articles written by the so-called muckrakers resulted in key reforms. However, when they began to look into political corruption, Roosevelt gave a speech which basically stated that they had gone too far. Who Were the Muckrakers takes a look at the major muckrakers of the Progressive era, their works, and the effects of their writings.

Who Were the Muckrakers? originally appeared on About.com American History on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 05:04:59.

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