📺This Week In History - The Simpsons Make History

Welcome back History Nerds,

If you’re thinking something is off, then it’s probably because you’re receiving this newsletter a day later than normal. That’s because there were so many things that happened this week in history that it pushed us back a day. Or we just accidentally scheduled it on the wrong day. But there was a lot that happened, like the best trade deal in history and the creation of the largest building in the world. So, get yourself a nice big cup of coffee and enjoy this week’s edition of the LOL History Newsletter!

Did You Know? On April 4, 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft—and picked the name before they even had a product. Their original "company headquarters" was a motel room, and their first official employee was paid in tacos because they couldn’t afford a real salary yet. Twenty years later? Gates was the richest man on Earth.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• The Louisiana Purchase

• The Simpsons Make TV History

• New York’s Beacon: The Empire State Building Opens Its Doors

• The Day the Loch Ness Monster

Jefferson’s Gamble: The Louisiana Purchase

On April 30, 1803, the United States sealed the Louisiana Purchase with France, a deal that reshaped the young nation overnight. For $15 million—about four cents an acre—the U.S. gained 828,000 square miles of land stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. This massive acquisition, negotiated under President Thomas Jefferson, doubled the country’s size and opened a vast frontier for exploration, settlement, and dreams of empire. It was a bold move for a nation still finding its footing, and it came with a mix of excitement and uncertainty about what lay beyond the horizon.

The deal wasn’t just about land; it was a geopolitical gamble. France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, needed cash to fund his wars in Europe and saw little value in holding onto a distant territory. For the U.S., the purchase secured control of the Mississippi River and the vital port of New Orleans, ensuring farmers and traders could move goods to global markets. But it also sparked debate: the Constitution didn’t explicitly allow for such a purchase, and Jefferson, a strict interpreter of the document, wrestled with the decision. Critics worried about the cost and how to govern a region filled with Native American tribes, French settlers, and uncharted wilderness.

What made the Louisiana Purchase a turning point was its ripple effect. It paved the way for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which mapped the West and fueled America’s vision of Manifest Destiny. It also set a precedent for bold federal action, even if it meant bending the rules. On that spring day in 1803, as diplomats signed the treaty in Paris, the U.S. wasn’t just buying land—it was betting on a future as a continental power, ready to stretch from sea to shining sea.

The Simpsons Make TV History (D’oh!)

On April 29, 2018, The Simpsons aired its 636th episode, officially passing Gunsmoke to become the longest-running scripted prime-time TV show in U.S. history. Not bad for a cartoon that started as a bunch of squiggly shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show back in 1987. What began as a simple story about a not-so-bright dad, a mischievous son, and a whole lot of donuts turned into a cultural force that helped reshape television itself. Across generations, The Simpsons became the ultimate mirror to American life—poking fun at politics, pop culture, and everything in between with a yellow-tinged smirk.

More than just a cartoon, The Simpsons built a blueprint for animated sitcoms, launched a million catchphrases (“D’oh!” probably being taught in history books by now), and gave us some of the sharpest satire TV has ever seen. Even people who’ve never sat through a full episode know who Homer, Bart, and Lisa are. The show's influence is baked into everything from Family Guy to modern memes—and whether you think it peaked in the '90s or not, there's no denying it: The Simpsons didn’t just last—it changed the way we laugh at the world.

A Tower Above All: The Empire State’s Rise to Glory

On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building in New York City flung open its doors, claiming the title of the world’s tallest building with a staggering 102 stories piercing the Manhattan skyline. President Herbert Hoover flicked a ceremonial switch from Washington, D.C., to light the skyscraper’s beacon, marking a moment of American ambition amid the Great Depression’s gloom.

Built in just over a year, this Art Deco giant stood 1,250 feet tall, surpassing the Chrysler Building and symbolizing a city—and a nation—reaching for the stars despite economic hardship. The project was no small feat. Spearheaded by former New York Governor Al Smith and financier John J. Raskob, the Empire State Building was constructed at breakneck speed, with up to 3,400 workers daily shaping its steel skeleton.

Nicknamed the “Empty State Building” in its early years, it struggled to fill its office spaces due to the Depression, but its cultural impact was immediate. It became a beacon of progress, featured in films, photos, and even a daring 1933 stunt when King Kong scaled its spire on the silver screen.

The building’s observation decks drew crowds eager to gaze across the city, cementing its status as a public marvel. What made the Empire State Building endure was its ability to capture the imagination. It held the “world’s tallest” crown until 1970 and remains an icon of New York’s relentless spirit.

On that spring day in 1931, as ribbons were cut and cameras flashed, it wasn’t just a building opening—it was a defiant statement that America could still dream big, even in the darkest of times.

The Deal That Changed U.S. History

On April 30, 1803, the United States pulled off one of the greatest real estate deals ever, buying the entire Louisiana Territory from France for about $15 million—which breaks down to less than three cents an acre. That's right: for the price of a few fancy coffees today, America picked up 828,000 square miles of land, nearly doubling the size of the young country overnight. In today’s money, that $15 million would be about $400 million—still an absolute steal for a chunk of land bigger than most countries. France, led by Napoleon, was busy fighting wars (and losing money) in Europe and figured selling off a chunk of North America was easier than trying to hold onto it. Spoiler: it absolutely was.

At the time, some Americans thought President Thomas Jefferson had lost his mind spending that much money, but hindsight makes it clear—this was a steal. The Louisiana Purchase gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River, opened up massive opportunities for westward expansion, and basically set the stage for America becoming a coast-to-coast powerhouse. So next time you're scrolling Zillow and feeling bad about housing prices, just remember: there was a time when you could snag half a continent for loose change.

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See You Next Time!

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders