Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase by the United States for $15 million increased the amount of territory the country owned by 828,000 square miles, doubling its size. The newly acquired land stretched from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west, and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south…

The Pony Express – Mail Transport by Horse

Before the telegraph and transcontinental railroad, The Pony Express was used to transport mail across the western United States at unbelievable speeds. The system began its deliveries on April 3, 1860 and covered a route of 1966 miles, passing through eight states. The mail would leave from Missouri and travel through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming,…

Virginia

Stories about cowboys and the Wild West give the impression that beginning in the mid-19th century, ranching was dominating the United States. While outlaws were battling lawmen in many places, the country continued its expansion and development. Political and industrial advances increased its international influence and Virginia, like all the other states was moving along…

Yellowstone – The United States First National Park

Yellowstone National Park is internationally known and was first established in 1872 after a campfire suggestion a few years before. Members of the Washington-Langford-Doane expedition recognized and discussed the need to turn Yellowstone into a protected area, due to the expansion that was taking place since the end of the Civil War. They predicted that…

Geronimo

You may have heard the exclamation Geronimo in action movies or in some other media form at some point. It is basically a cry that is exclaimed by the United States army prior to engage in airborne activity. Geronimo is used by skydivers and those who are about to jump from considerable heights. It is…