The U.S. stock market crashed, leading to the Great Depression. Known as “Black Tuesday,” the crash wiped out billions of dollars in investments, leading to widespread unemployment and economic turmoil.

TODAY’S PATRIOT

William Seward (1801–1872) was one of Abraham Lincoln’s most trusted advisors during the Civil War. As secretary of state, he worked tirelessly to prevent European powers from recognizing the Confederacy, preserving the Union’s diplomatic standing. After the war, he orchestrated the purchase of Alaska from Russia, a move derided as “Seward’s Folly” that proved strategically invaluable.

A lifelong opponent of slavery, Seward once declared, “There is a higher law than the Constitution,” arguing that moral duty should guide policy. He survived an assassination attempt the same night Lincoln was shot, bearing scars as testament to his service to the nation.