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  3. U.S. States

U.S. States

Stretching more than 3,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, the United States of America is comprised of 50 states, each with its own state capital, traditions and history.

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Boston

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Boston: A City Steeped in U.S. History

Boston, the largest city in New England, is located on a hilly peninsula in Massachusetts Bay. The region had been inhabited since at least 2400 B.C. by the Massachusetts tribe of Native Americans, who called the peninsula Shawmut. Captain John Smith in 1614 explored the coastline of what he christened “New England” (to make the […]

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The skyline of lower Manhattan is seen past a ferry on the East River in New York City on February 06, 2023.

New York City

New York City in the 18th Century In 1664, the British seized New Amsterdam from the Dutch and gave it a new name: New York City. For the next century, the population of New York City grew larger and more diverse: It included immigrants from the Netherlands, England, France and Germany; indentured servants; and African […]

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Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Gold Rush Brings Hordes of Prospectors But in 1846, the Mexican American War broke out, and two years later California was annexed by the United States. The timing was fortuitous, as rich deposits of gold were discovered in the Sacramento Valley in 1848, igniting the Gold Rush. The hordes of ‘49ers flocking to California depended […]

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Why Isn't Washington, D.C. a State?

Washington, D.C.

Interesting Facts On July 16, 1790, a compromise between Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison—known as the Residence Act—was passed, declaring George Washington’s selection of a site on the Potomac River as the nation’s new permanent capital. As part of the agreement, the federal government assumed the states’ debts. George Washington oversaw the construction […]

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Diamondhead coastline, Oahu, Hawaii

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Hawaii’s Long Road to Becoming America’s 50th State

Hawaii became part of the union more than six decades after an illegal coup ousted the Native Hawaiian monarchy.

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9 Things You May Not Know About California

Explore nine surprising facts about California, which achieved statehood 165 years ago this week.

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HUNGRY America's State Foods

America’s State Foods

Did you know that New York has a state muffin and that Jell-O is the state snack of Utah?

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Harpers Ferry is a historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, in the lower Shenandoah Valley.

8 Things You May Not Know About West Virginia

Learn eight surprising facts about America’s 35th state.

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2:18 minTV-PG
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Flashback: A Tour of 1940s New York City

Experience the sights and sounds of New York City as if you were visiting in the 1940s. A lot has changed since then, but not everything.

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3:18 minTV-PG

Here’s Why Puerto Rico Is Part of the U.S. – Sort Of

Learn about Puerto Rico’s complex history, starting with its Spanish rule to becoming a U.S. territory.

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2:57 minTV-PG

Texas

Texas is famous around the world for oil, cattle and state pride, but there’s a lot more we bet you didn’t know about the Lone Star state.

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2:55 minTV-14

Deconstructing History: Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is one of America’s busiest train stations, with over 700,000 people passing through it every day. Find out more about this iconic landmark.

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This Day in History


1968

Oil discovered in Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay

U.S. States
1898

U.S. takes control of Puerto Rico

U.S. States
1898

U.S. forces invade Puerto Rico

U.S. States
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