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Norfolk Tour Company Walking tours of Downtown Norfolk, NEON District, Virginia Beach. Oceanfront, Ghent, Freemason, as w

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 15, 1943The construction of the Pentagon in Arlington County is compl...
15/01/2025

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 15, 1943

The construction of the Pentagon in Arlington County is completed.

The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The building was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase The Pentagon is often used as a metonym for the Department of Defense and its leadership.

The Pentagon is the world's second-largest office building, with about 6.5 million square feet of floor space, 3.7 million square feet of which are used as offices. It has five sides, five floors above ground, two basement levels, and five ring corridors per floor with a total of 17.5 mi of corridors, with a central five-acre pentagonal plaza. About 23,000 military and civilian employees work in the Pentagon, as well as about 3,000 non-defense support personnel.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 6, 1759🔙 January 6th, 1759 – George Washington, future first Presiden...
06/01/2025

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 6, 1759

🔙 January 6th, 1759 – George Washington, future first President of the United States, married Martha Custis, a wealthy widow, at the New Kent County, Virginia home of her brother.

Their union not only formed a powerful personal partnership but also solidified Washington's social standing, offering him the means to grow his estate and further influence the budding American colonies. Together, they became one of the most influential couples of their time.

Martha was known for her grace, strength, and leadership, playing a key role as the First Lady during Washington’s presidency. Their marriage, though private, was foundational in shaping the early years of the nation.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨🔙 January 5, 1781 – During the American Revolution, General Benedict Arnold—w...
05/01/2025

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨

🔙 January 5, 1781 – During the American Revolution, General Benedict Arnold—who had famously defected to the British—launched a devastating raid on Richmond, Virginia.

Arnold’s forces burned the city’s public buildings, looted supplies, and wreaked havoc, leaving a trail of destruction as part of the British strategy to weaken the American war effort. Though the raid was a setback for the Patriots, Arnold’s treason solidified his infamy in American history.

His actions that day were just one chapter in the bitter conflict that would ultimately lead to the United States’ victory and independence.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 5, 1781🔙 January 5, 1781 – During the American Revolution, General Be...
05/01/2025

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨January 5, 1781

🔙 January 5, 1781 – During the American Revolution, General Benedict Arnold—who had famously defected to the British—launched a devastating raid on Richmond, Virginia.

Arnold’s forces burned the city’s public buildings, looted supplies, and wreaked havoc, leaving a trail of destruction as part of the British strategy to weaken the American war effort. Though the raid was a setback for the Patriots, Arnold’s treason solidified his infamy in American history.

His actions that day were just one chapter in the bitter conflict that would ultimately lead to the United States’ victory and independence.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 28, 1856🔙 December 28, 1856 – Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th Presid...
28/12/2024

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 28, 1856

🔙 December 28, 1856 – Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, was born in Staunton, Virginia. A visionary leader, Wilson is best known for guiding the nation through World War I and shaping the League of Nations in hopes of creating a more peaceful world order.

Wilson's presidency also saw major domestic reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Reserve and the passage of progressive policies that reshaped the American economy.

Though his leadership left a complex legacy, Wilson's influence on both American and global politics remains significant today.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 26, 1811🔙 December 26, 1811 – A devastating fire broke out at the Ri...
26/12/2024

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 26, 1811

🔙 December 26, 1811 – A devastating fire broke out at the Richmond Theater in Virginia during a performance, leading to one of the deadliest tragedies in the city’s history. Of the 598 people in attendance, 68 lives were lost, including many prominent citizens of Virginia, such as Governor George W. Smith.

The fire spread quickly, trapping those inside and causing a panic as people rushed to escape. The event marked a somber moment in Virginia’s history, and its impact was felt throughout the nation. It led to greater attention to public safety and fire prevention.

Today, we remember the lives lost that fateful night and the legacy of the Richmond Theater fire in shaping safety regulations for public buildings.

Virginia Edition 📜✨November 18, 1618🔙 November 18, 1618 – King James I of England issued the Great Charter of 1618, a pi...
23/12/2024

Virginia Edition 📜✨November 18, 1618

🔙 November 18, 1618 – King James I of England issued the Great Charter of 1618, a pivotal document that played a major role in the colonial expansion of Virginia. The charter granted new powers to the Virginia Company of London, allowing for the creation of larger settlements and an expanded role for English settlers in the colony.

This was a crucial moment for the early English colonization of North America, paving the way for increased migration, land grants, and further development of Virginia—ultimately leading to the growth of the Jamestown Colony, the first permanent English settlement in America.

Nell Fidelia Mercer (1893–1979) was a militant white suffragist and member of the National Woman's Party (NWP). She was ...
18/12/2024

Nell Fidelia Mercer (1893–1979) was a militant white suffragist and member of the National Woman's Party (NWP). She was born on January 24, 1893 in North Landing, Virginia.

As the fight for women's suffrage intensified late in the 1910s with the onset of picketing in Washington, D.C., Mercer was inspired to join the Virginia branch of the NWP in 1919 and was arrested multiple times. Mercer's most notable arrest occurred on February 9, 1919, days before a federal suffrage amendment was to be voted upon by Congress. She carried a fiery urn along with Elizabeth McShane in the final "Watchfire" demonstration. After parading through the streets in a group of nearly sixty demonstrators holding suffrage banners, Mercer and McShane placed the urn in front of the White House gate where the participants came together to burn a figure of President Woodrow Wilson in effigy. Police quickly arrested most of the protesters. The following day, Mercer was tried along with 28 other women for their actions in this demonstration and was one of 25 suffragists tried for unlawful fire-setting on the White House grounds. All were convicted and given the choice of paying a fine or jail time. All refused to pay and were sentenced to serve time in the District of Columbia Jail. Mercer ended up serving a five-day sentence, suffering under harsh prison conditions.

In 1920, Mercer was honored for her sacrifices to the movement by being awarded a "Prison Pin," along with 165 other suffrage arrestees. Though women finally obtained their right to vote in August that same year, Mercer still remained an active member of the Virginia branch of the NWP and argued for greater rights for all women beyond merely the right to have a voice in one's government.

https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1008342647

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 15, 1791🔙 December 15, 1791 – Virginia became the 10th state to rati...
15/12/2024

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 15, 1791

🔙 December 15, 1791 – Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. These foundational rights guaranteed essential freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial, and continue to protect Americans to this day.

Virginia played a crucial role in securing these rights, ensuring the protections that define American democracy.

Today, we reflect on the enduring importance of the Bill of Rights in safeguarding our freedoms and shaping the nation's values.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 15, 1934🔙 December 15, 1934 – Maggie Lena Walker, the pioneering Afr...
15/12/2024

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 15, 1934

🔙 December 15, 1934 – Maggie Lena Walker, the pioneering African American businesswoman and civil rights leader, passed away in Richmond, Virginia. She made history as the first woman to charter a bank in the U.S., the St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank, which served the Black community and provided access to financial resources that were otherwise unavailable.

Walker was a champion for economic empowerment, women's rights, and racial equality. Her legacy as a trailblazer continues to inspire future generations.

Today, we honor her life and incredible contributions to both Virginia and the nation.

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 14, 1799🔙 December 14, 1799 – The first President of the United Stat...
14/12/2024

On This Day in History: Virginia Edition 📜✨December 14, 1799

🔙 December 14, 1799 – The first President of the United States, George Washington, passed away at the age of 67 at his home, Mount Vernon, in Virginia. His death marked the end of an era, as Washington had been a central figure in the founding of the nation—leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War and setting many precedents as the country’s first president.

Washington's legacy of leadership, honor, and commitment to the principles of liberty continues to shape the United States to this day. His passing left a nation in mourning, but his contributions to American democracy remain timeless.

Interior view of the Virginia Beach Casino Cafe, part of the later known Seaside Park, Virginia Beach, Va. The room is c...
11/12/2024

Interior view of the Virginia Beach Casino Cafe, part of the later known Seaside Park, Virginia Beach, Va. The room is comprised of many round set tables, with tablecloths, glassware and napkins embroidered with "Virginia Beach Casino Cafe." The room itself is very large, with hardwood floors and open ceiling with beams and rafters. Three levels of windows illuminate the structure. In the center of the room is a square counter with glass display case. A backbar sits in the far left corner, while a large round mirror is hung in the far right corner. On the center back wall is a brick fireplace.

Creator : Mann, Harry C., 1866-1926, photographer.

http://rosetta.virginiamemory.com:1801/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE1312656

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