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It’s Earth Day! Earth Day is observed worldwide in 192 countries in appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment and to increase public awareness of environmental issues. In celebration of Earth Day, here’s a look at some notable environmentalists in Geni’s World Family Tree! Explore their family trees and see how you’re connected to these influential environmental figures! Rachel Carson Image: Smithsonian Institution, Flickr Rachel Carson was a marine biologists, conservationist, and author of Silent Spring…. Read the full story

Do you have Irish ancestry? With millions of Irish people who have emigrated abroad, it is estimated that 70-80 million people worldwide claim some Irish descent. If you are trying to learn more about your Irish ancestors, Irish genealogy projects on Geni are a fantastic way to collaborate and connect with others who are also researching their Irish roots. These genealogy projects are the perfect place to seek advice, meet others researching their Irish ancestors, and work together towards the common… Read the full story

Today marks the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which stated “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” U.S. National Archives and Records Administration On August 18, 1920, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to ratify the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, finally granting women the right to vote. The… Read the full story

Each year on July 4, the United States celebrates Independence Day in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the freedom and independence of the 13 American colonies from the rule of the British Empire’s King George III. This year’s Independence Day celebration will look very different from years past, which is typically involves large family gatherings, barbecues, and fireworks. But just because celebrations will be… Read the full story

Today marks the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. In honor of D-Day, we’re highlighting the Easy Company – Band of Brothers, a collaborative project dedicated to the Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division in the United States Army. Created in 1942, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was an experimental airborne regiment created to jump from C-47 transport planes into hostile territory. Operation Overlord Image:… Read the full story

Today is Constitution Day! On this day, the U.S. observes the adoption of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. The U.S. Constitution / U.S. National Archives Here are seven interesting facts about the Constitution: 1. The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Some notable signers included George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton. 2. James Madison is often hailed as the “Father… Read the full story

Happy Cinco de Mayo! The Mexican holiday is primarily observed in the United States and parts of Mexico as a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. Many don’t realize that the holiday also commemorates the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Image: DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University / Flickr In honor of the holiday, here are 5 things to know about the history of Cinco de… Read the full story

Today Australia celebrates Australia Day! The holiday commemorates the day in 1788 when British settlers arrived on the shores of Australia for the first time. Led by Captain Arthur Phillip, the first boats arrived at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. On shore, Phillip raised the British flag to signal the beginning of the colony. In honor of Australia Day, we’re highlighting the genealogy projects for the First Fleet! Before the American Revolutionary War, the British, faced… Read the full story

On this day in 1941, Imperial Japanese Naval Air forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, which left more than 1,100 people wounded and 2,403 people dead. The surprise military attack was a profound shock to the American people and immediately drew the United States into World War II. Pearl Harbor under attack on December 7, 1941 / National Archives and Records Administration In his address to Congress the day following the attack, President Franklin D…. Read the full story

It’s World Teachers’ Day! The day commemorates the hard work and dedication of teachers all around the world. In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, we’re highlighting some of history’s most notable educators. Read about them below and check out more in the Notable Educators project on Geni! 1. Anne Sullivan Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan / Library of Congress Perhaps one of the most famous American teachers in history, Anne Sullivan was known as Helen Keller’s devoted instructor… Read the full story

Today marks the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. The D-Day landings was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Image: Naval History and Heritage Command In the early morning of June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France with over 160,000 troops and 13,000 paratroopers along a 50-mile stretch of France’s coastline. Over 5,000 ships and 11,000 planes had crossed the English Channel during the night in preparation to drive Nazi forces back to Berlin…. Read the full story

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy struck the U.S. navel base at Pearl Harbor in a surprise military attack. The attack lasted a couple of hours and left more than 1,000 wounded and 2,400 people dead. Image: U.S. Navy The attack was intended as a preventative action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with the planned military actions of… Read the full story

On October 11, 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded. The non-profit organization and genealogical scoeity welcomes women who are directly descended from Patriots who served in the American Revolutionary War. The group works to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Check out these fast facts about the founding of the Daughters of the American Revolution: 1. It emerged during a time of renewed passion and interest in the early days of American history. Image: Library… Read the full story

Can you believe it’s been 50 years since Star Trek aired its first episode? On September 8, 1966, the iconic show made its debut and introduced audiences to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of future exploration and discovery. Image: Wikipedia Although canceled after just three seasons, the show’s devoted fanbase kept its spirit alive as a cult classic and eventually, a cultural phenomenon. The groundbreaking show tackled significant social issues of the era, including racism, sexism and war. It broke new ground when it became the first… Read the full story

Are you searching for your American Revolutionary War ancestors? You may want to check out the American Revolutionary War genealogy project on Geni! Image: Library of Congress Collaborate with others in Geni’s friendly and knowledgable community of researchers to discover the Patriots in your family tree. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World On April 19, 1775, battle broke out at Lexington as British forces and American colonial militias fought for the first time, marking the beginning of… Read the full story

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November. The Gunpowder, treason and plot.” Today is Guy Fawkes Day in the UK! Many people have heard the classic nursery rhyme of the gunpowder plot, but do you know what it is about? Arrest of Guy Fawkes, cigarette card illustration / New York Public Library Celebrated each year on November 5, Guy Fawkes Day commemorates the failed plot to assassinate King James I. On that day in 1605, Guy Fawkes was discovered in the… Read the full story

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day, a national holiday of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Image: State Library of New South Wales Observed on April 25 of each year, the holiday was originally created to honor the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who bravely fought at Gallipoli against the… Read the full story

Did your ancestors receive mail via the Pony Express? Today we celebrate the 155th anniversary of the history-making mail delivery service. The Pony Express was first launched on April 3, 1860 with two relay teams of horses and riders. The teams were dispatched from St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California and made their way across the country simultaneously. Mail with a Pony Express stamp On April 14, the first westbound delivery arrived to its destination in San Francisco, California… Read the full story

Fifty years ago, the award-winning musical The Sound of Music premiered on the big screen. Even today, the musical story based on the real von Trapp family, continues to delight and entertain audiences. The real von Trapp family / Library of Congress The film starred Julie Andrews as the governess, Maria, and Christopher Plummer as Captain Georg von Trapp. The filmmakers took some creative liberties with the story, changing some facts to dramatize the family’s eventual flight from… Read the full story

Do you have ancestors who participated in the Boston Tea Party? 241 years ago today, dozens of American colonists boarded three ships in Boston Harbor and threw 342 crates of tea overboard in protest of the Tea Act. An iconic event in American history, the Boston Tea Party helped pave the way for the American Revolution. “No taxation without representation.” Organized by the Sons of Liberty, the political protestors, some disguised as Native Americans, took to the wharf to destroy an entire shipment… Read the full story

Does longevity run in your family tree? Just recently, the world’s oldest living man was identified as 111-year old New Yorker Alexander Imich. The secret to his longevity? Imich credits good genes, a healthy diet and perhaps the fact that he and his wife never had children. His closest relative is an 84-year-old nephew. Image: NBC New York Imich was born on February 4, 1903 in Poland. Check out a few significant events that occurred the… Read the full story

Happy Earth Day! Each year on April 22, the world marks the anniversary of what many consider to be the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day is celebrated in more than 192 countries, making it the largest and most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Together more than a billion people around the world are working to build a cleaner and healthier world for generations to come.  You can celebrate Earth Day here on Geni… Read the full story

Are you watching the XXII Olympic Winter Games taking place in Sochi, Russia? Although initial reports depict less than ideal conditions at the games for the first time Olympic hosts, the athletes have brought their A-game as they compete against the best of the best from all over the world. If you’re a big fan of these winter sports, here’s your chance to bring your love of the winter games and genealogy together – the Sochi… Read the full story

Today we remember former South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. Devoted to ending apartheid, Mandela served as an inspiration to many for his message of reconciliation and forgiveness, and a peaceful end to years of segregation.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can… Read the full story

August 9 is the United Nations’ International Day of the World’s Indigenous People! First pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1994, the day is observed to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. Each year this day is celebrated in recognition of the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues. In honor of the day, here are some of genealogy projects on Geni from all… Read the full story

Did you know that 151 years ago today, the Medal of Honor was created? As the highest military honor in the United States, the Medal of Honor awards individuals for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Since its creation in 1862 during the Civil War, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 3,400 men and one woman. Here are some interesting facts about the Medal of Honor:… Read the full story

This week commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Lasting from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. Often described as the turning point of the war, Union Maj. General George Gordon Meade successfully defeated attacks by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, thus ending Lee’s invasion of the North. The Battle of Gettysburg After his success at Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863,… Read the full story

February is Black History month in the U.S., where we celebrate and remember the past and present achievements of African-Americans. In 1866, to help rebuild the country after the Civil War, the United States Congress established the first peacetime all-black regiment in the U.S. Army to help patrol the western frontier. About 6,000 African Americans were recruited into six regiments: 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments. The last four… Read the full story

This year marked the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S. Coinciding with this monumental anniversary is the release of Steven Spielberg‘s new film Lincoln, which chronicles President Abraham Lincoln‘s struggles in the days leading up to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. Considered one of the most important documents in American history, the Emancipation Proclamation proclaimed all slaves in the Confederate states to be forever free. The proclamation made abolition a central goal of… Read the full story

Today is election day in the United States. Have you been following the debates this election season? Which candidate will you pick, Democratic President Barack Obama or Republican candidate Mitt Romney? Since the beginning of this election season, the 2012 U.S. Federal Election project has kept a close eye on the genealogy of each candidate. Thanks to the project, we can see how this year’s presidential hopefuls are related! With the polls showing both candidates neck… Read the full story

Today marks the 50th anniversary since the world was first introduced to The Beatles. On October 5, 1962, the iconic band released their first single, “Love Me Do,” and ushered in a new era of rock-and-roll. In honor of the 50th anniversary, we’re highlighting The Beatles genealogy project on Geni! For all the Beatles fans out there, the purpose of this project is to explore the ancestry of John Lennon, Paul McCarthy, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and their close associates. Are you… Read the full story

This Saturday, September 22, is National Gymnastics Day! Since the Olympics, the Fierce Five have been making their way around the country showcasing their talents on their championship tour. You may have even spotted one of their many television appearances! In fact, it was just announced that two-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas would be guest starring on the television show The Vampire Diaries. Could you be related to Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and… Read the full story

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. In memory of the lives lost on that fateful day, Geni users have created the September 11 Memorial project. The project is dedicated to preserving the stories and memories of all 9/11 victims and those who risked their lives to save them. Was your family touched by the tragedy? Perhaps you would like join this project to share their story with… Read the full story

Plaque in front of the Israeli athletes’ quarters commemorating the victims (photo by Highcontrast) Today marks the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre in Munich, West Germany. On September 5, 1972, members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. By the end of the crisis, 11 Israeli Olympic athletes and coaches were killed. In remembrance of this tragic event, several Geni users created The Munich Massacre project… Read the full story

This year the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2012 Conference has chosen the theme of “Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the ‘Old Southwest.’” In honor of the conference, we’re highlighting the Pioneers of the Old Southwest Territory project on Geni! Do you have any pioneer ancestors from the “Old Southwest”? Join this project and collaborate with other genealogists researching your shared history. You never know when you’ll discover a new relative! View the Pioneers of… Read the full story

Today India celebrates their Independence Day! On August 15, 1947, India achieved independence from British rule and became a sovereign nation. The country’s road to independence began with the Indian independence movement, which was noted for largely peaceful, nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. One of the most enduring symbols of the movement was Mahatma Gandhi, who would go on to inspire movements of non-violence, civil rights and freedom across… Read the full story

Are you excited for the start of the 2012 London Olympics? If you’re looking to merge your love of international athletic competition with your love of genealogy, you’ll definitely want to check out the London 2012 Summer Olympics project. A dedicated group of users are working diligently to build and connect the family trees of past and present Olympians. Join this international effort to help connect these athletes to more than 60 million people in Geni’s World… Read the full story

Today the world famous Comic-Con International kicked off its first day in San Diego, California. Every year thousands of fans from around the world make their way to San Diego to experience the latest in the world of comics, science fiction and fantasy. One of the largest conventions of its type in the world, this year’s Comic-Con is predicted to be the biggest yet. Now you might be asking, what does this have to do… Read the full story

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Today the U.S. celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared the 13 American colonies’s freedom and independence from the British Empire. Did you know that the original July 4 United States Declaration of Independence manuscript was lost? Most people will have today off to celebrate with family, barbeque, and watch fireworks. Will you get together with your family this holiday? Be sure to take… Read the full story

Tonight, the History Channel airs part 3 of their record breaking miniseries, Hatsfields & McCoys. Have you been watching the series about the vicious and violent clash between the Hatfield and McCoy families? The bitter feud between the Hatfields, headed by Devil Anse Hatfield, and the McCoys, whose head patriarch was Randolph “Ole Ran” McCoy, has made a lasting impression in American folklore.  The Hatfield Clan   The origins of the feud can be traced back to the murder of… Read the full story

Monday, May 28, is Memorial Day in the U.S. On this day, the country honors the men and women who have given their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Typically, the day is celebrated by visiting cemeteries, attending parades and family gatherings. Memorial Day was first introduced after the end of the Civil War. However, after the devastation of World War I, the day was expanded to encompass all American soldiers who have died in… Read the full story

May 17 is Norwegian Constitution Day or the National Day of Norway. The holiday is observed May 17 each year to commemorate the signing of the Norwegian constitution, which declared Norway to be an independent nation. Prior to independence, Norway had become entangled on the French side of the Napoleonic War. Following the defeat of Napoleon’s troops at the Battle of Leipzig and the Treaty of Kiel, the Crown Prince of Denmark-Norway, Christian Frederik, founded… Read the full story

Do you have New Amsterdam ancestors? You may want to check out the New Amsterdam project on Geni! Curator George Homs kindly agreed to share with his some insights about the New Amsterdam project and how it can help you in your family history research. Read part 2 of our interview below! You can find part 1 here. What are your next steps in the New Amsterdam genealogy project? This is a never-ending project. As said before, the churches… Read the full story

Do you have New Amsterdam ancestors? You may want to check out the New Amsterdam project on Geni! Curator George Homs kindly agreed to share with his some insights about the New Amsterdam project and how it can help you in your family history research. Read part one of our interview below! Check back tomorrow for part 2! You’ve played a pivotal role in organizing the New Amsterdam project on Geni. Can give us an… Read the full story

Today, April 19, is Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah. Established in Israel in 1953, the day is observed as Israel’s day of commemoration for the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Around the world, people of the Jewish community observe the day to remember the 6 million lives of friends and relatives lost. In honor of the lives lost and forever changed by the Holocaust, several genealogy projects are dedicated to finding… Read the full story

In anticipation of the Titanic‘s 100th anniversary, a group of dedicated Geni users made it their mission to build the family trees of every Titanic passenger and crew member. Yes, that’s right – every single one. The RMS Titanic project was created to identify and list the survivors and casualties of the sinking of the Titanic. Today, they are proud to report that they were successful in accomplishing their goal! Through a truly collaborative effort, and spearheaded by… Read the full story

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the first Pony Express mail delivery service. On April 3, 1860, the first relay teams of horses and riders made their way from St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California simultaneously. Ten days later, the westbound rider arrived in Sacramento, beating the eastbound rider to St. Joseph by two days. The Pony Express’s delivery speed was nearly unheard of at the time. The Pony Express was co-founded by William Russell, Alexander Majors and William Waddell with… Read the full story

Tomorrow, people all around the world will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Millions of Irish people have emigrated abroad and it is estimated that 80 million people worldwide claim some Irish descent. Did you know that over 34.7 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry? That’s more than seven times the population of Ireland! Do you claim any Irish roots? Join some of Geni’s great Irish genealogy projects to collaborate with people from all… Read the full story

Today is Pi Day! Pi Day commemorates the mathematical constant π (pi) each year on March 14, or 3/14, which are the first three digits of π (3.14). π is a mathematical constant that measures the ratio of any circle’s circumference to its diameter. Because π is an irrational number, it cannot be expressed as a fraction. Its decimal representation never ends and is never repeated. In honor of Pi Day, we thought it would be fun to highlight… Read the full story

Today is Purim! Beginning yesterday at sundown, Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, the royal vizier to the king. Haman had plotted to kill Mordechai and all of the Jews in ancient Persia. However, Queen Esther, who was a Jew, and Mordechai discovered and foiled the plot. Haman was hanged from the gallows, which had originally been built… Read the full story