#38 September 14-20

September 14th, 1814 – “The Story Behind The Star-Spangled Banner”

Did you know our national anthem came from a poem? On September 14, 1814, a man named Francis Scott Key watched a huge battle during the War of 1812. All night, he worried the American flag might fall, but when morning came, he saw it still flying proudly over the fort! Inspired by that moment, he wrote a poem called The Star-Spangled Banner. Later, the poem was set to music and became the song we sing today before ball games and special events. Fun fact: The flag Francis saw was so big it was almost as long as a school bus! Listen to this story here. Episode 147: The Story of the Star Spangled Banner

September 14th, 1901 – In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest U.S. President 

On September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest president in U.S. history—he was only 42 years old! Roosevelt was full of energy and loved adventures. He enjoyed exploring nature, protecting wild animals, and even creating national parks so everyone could enjoy the outdoors. People called him “Teddy,” and he became very popular for his courage and enthusiasm. Fun fact: Roosevelt was the first U.S. president to ride in an automobile while in office—and later, he was also the first to ride in an airplane! Listen to Episode 64: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt

September 16th, 1620 – The Mayflower left England

On (according to the Old Style calendar) September 16, 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower set sail from England, carrying the Pilgrims to America. The trip was long and rough—lasting more than two months at sea! The Pilgrims came because they wanted a new home where they could live and worship freely. When they finally arrived, life was very hard at first, but they worked together to survive. Later, after their first harvest, they celebrated with a big feast that became known as the first Thanksgiving. Fun fact: The Mayflower was only about 100 feet long—smaller than most modern airplanes! Listen to Episode 89: The Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving

Fall of 1849 – The Brave Escape of Harriet Tubman

In the fall of 1849, Harriet Tubman made a brave choice—she escaped from slavery to find her freedom. But her story didn’t end there. Instead of staying safe, Harriet returned many times to help guide other people to freedom using secret paths and safe houses called the Underground Railroad. She became known as the “Moses” of her people because she led so many to safety with courage and determination. Fun fact: Harriet Tubman never lost a single person she guided—everyone she led on the journey made it to freedom! Listen to Episode 8: A Chariot and a Woman Named Moses (the story of Harriet Tubman)

Sep 19 – ​​1796, George Washington said goodbye as president

On September 19, 1796, George Washington, the very first U.S. president, said goodbye after leading the country for many years. Before he left, he wrote something special called his Farewell Address. In it, he gave advice to the nation—he encouraged the people to stay strong, work together, and not let disagreements tear them apart. His words were meant to guide America even after he was gone. Fun fact: Washington loved farming so much that after leaving the presidency, he returned to his home at Mount Vernon to grow crops and take care of his land! Listen to Episode 108: The Story of Young George Washington