#49 November 30-December 6

November 30, 1835 — Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was born

Mark Twain was born in 1835, beginning a life that would shape American storytelling for generations. Known for classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, he blended humor, honesty, and sharp observation in a way that still feels fresh today. Fun fact: Twain came into the world just after Halley’s Comet appeared—and he died the day after it returned 75 years later.

December 1, 1955 — Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks changed the course of American history when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, a quiet act of resolve that helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and energize the growing civil rights movement. Her decision showed how a single moment of standing firm—while sitting down—can echo far beyond its time. Fun fact: Rosa Parks had previously worked as a seamstress—and later joked that people often remembered her for one brave moment, but few knew she could hem a skirt in record time. Listen to Episode 17 about the Civil Rights Movement!

December 3, 1818 — Illinois became a state

On December 3, 1818, Illinois officially joined the Union as the 21st state, opening a new chapter in the young nation’s expansion toward the Midwest. What began as a stretch of prairies and small settlements would grow into a place known for industry, agriculture, and the vibrant heartbeat of Chicago. Fun fact: Illinois’ first state capital wasn’t Springfield—it was Kaskaskia, a tiny river town that’s now on the opposite side of the Mississippi due to shifting waterways.

December 6, 1884 — The Washington Monument was completed

Construction on the Washington Monument began on July 4, 1848. A ceremonial cornerstone-laying took place that day, kicking off the original building phase, which continued until 1854 before funding problems and the Civil War caused a long pause. Construction finally resumed in 1879 and was completed in 1884. On December 6, 1884, the Washington Monument was finally completed, rising above the capital as a towering tribute to the nation’s first president. After decades of delays, funding troubles, and even a long construction pause, the marble obelisk stood at last—a crisp white marker pointing toward the sky and the country’s growing ambitions. Fun fact: The stone changes color partway up because the bottom and top halves were built with marble from different quarries. Listen to Episode 141: The Story of Lady Liberty (the story of another famous patriotic American statue – the Statue of Liberty!)