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🔫This Week In History - The Gun That Won The West

🔫This Week In History - The Gun That Won The West

The week of Feb. 23 - March. 1 throughout history.

February 25, 2025

Welcome back History Nerds,

Last week certainly was a long one, I sure hope you haven’t forgotten about us. We have a ton of exciting things planned for LOL History this year and its only just getting started. So, strap in for another good one — this time on the revolver that won the West and the very first Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Don’t be shy, reply to this email with one thing we can improve on, or one thing you like!

Did You Know? On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park, setting the standard for conservation. Today, it’s home to geysers, wildlife, and a super-volcano that could ruin everyone’s day. 🌋

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

The Formation of U.S. Steel
The Gun That Won the West
New Orleans’ First Mardi Gras
How Pokémon Captured The World's Attention

J.P. Morgan Builds a Steel Giant

On February 25, 1901, the United States Steel Corporation was officially incorporated, marking a pivotal moment in American industrial history. Orchestrated by financier John Pierpont Morgan, this merger created the world’s first corporation valued at over $1 billion, with a capitalization of $1.4 billion—equivalent to approximately $50 billion in today’s dollars. The formation of U.S. Steel consolidated some of the largest steel producers in the United States, reshaping the nation’s industrial landscape.

The origins of this monumental deal trace back to late 1900, when tensions arose between Andrew Carnegie’s Carnegie Steel Company and Morgan’s Federal Steel Company. Carnegie, a dominant force in steel production, controlled vast operations in Pittsburgh and threatened to expand into finished products like steel pipes and tubes—sectors where Morgan’s interests, including Federal Steel, held sway. Fearing a destructive price war, Morgan sought to buy out Carnegie and unify the industry under one banner.

Negotiations began in December 1900, led by Charles M. Schwab, then president of Carnegie Steel, at Morgan’s request. During a dinner hosted by Schwab at New York’s University Club, attended by Morgan and other industrialists, Schwab outlined a vision for a consolidated steel trust. Impressed, Morgan moved forward. On January 8, 1901, Carnegie met Schwab at the St. Andrews golf course in Yonkers, New York, and agreed to sell his company. Carnegie penned his asking price—$492 million ($300 million in cash and bonds, plus interest)—on a slip of paper, which Morgan accepted without hesitation.

J.P. Morgan assembled a syndicate, including his own J.P. Morgan & Co., to fund the $1.4 billion incorporation of U.S. Steel on February 25, 1901, in New Jersey, merging Carnegie Steel, Federal Steel, and eight other firms like National Tube Company under the leadership of chairman Elbert H. Gary and a prestigious board featuring Henry Clay Frick and Charles Schwab. Launching with over 168,000 workers, 213 plants, 41 mines, 1,000 miles of railroad, and 112 Great Lakes ships, U.S. Steel controlled 60% of the U.S. market, outproducing Britain’s 9.4 million tons annually, symbolizing the Gilded Age’s consolidation peak—securing Morgan’s financial legacy and Carnegie’s retirement into philanthropy, though later facing antitrust scrutiny in 1911.

Samuel Colt’s Revolver: The Gun That Changed the West

On February 25, 1836, Samuel Colt patented the multi-shot revolving cylinder gun, changing firearms forever. Before Colt’s invention, most guns were painfully slow to reload, making shootouts more like awkward pauses with bullets. But Colt’s revolver offered six shots before reloading—an absolute game-changer. His first big break came when the Texas Rangers started using his revolvers against Comanche warriors, proving that multiple shots before reloading was a huge advantage in battle.

The Wild West wasn’t won with words—it was won with six bullets and a steady hand. From outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid to lawmen like Wyatt Earp, everyone carried a Colt revolver. It became the weapon of choice for duels, saloon shootouts, and settling questionable disputes. The phrase "God created men, but Sam Colt made them equal" became popular, as even a farmer with a Colt had a fighting chance against someone bigger or meaner. In a world where strength ruled, Colt didn’t just sell guns—he sold survival.

By his death in 1862, Colt had sold hundreds of thousands of revolvers, making his name as famous as the gun itself. His invention revolutionized firearms, warfare, and pop culture, appearing in cowboy movies, history books, and hip-hop lyrics. With six shots in the chamber, Colt didn’t just change the game—he rewrote the rules of war and survival. If you want to learn more about how the Colt changed the world you should check out this video!

Trivia Time

In every issue of LOL History, we take a break from sharing historical events to bring you a quirky trivia section. Get ready to challenge your brain and impress your friends with some seriously weird knowledge

🐊 Which U.S. president had a pet alligator in the White House?

Mardi Gras Rolls into New Orleans

On February 27, 1827, New Orleans saw its first recorded Mardi Gras parade, a lively affair that filled the streets with masked celebrants and horse-drawn carriages. This wasn’t the bead-tossing, jazz-filled spectacle of today—back then, it leaned on the city’s French and Creole roots, blending European carnival traditions with local energy. The parade wound through the French Quarter, featuring residents in masks and formal attire, riding or walking alongside carriages adorned for the occasion.

The event marked the start of a tradition tied to the pre-Lenten season, a final burst of celebration before the restraint of Lent began. While records from 1827 are sparse, this parade set the stage for Mardi Gras to grow into a cornerstone of New Orleans culture. The phrase “laissez les bons temps rouler”—let the good times roll—wouldn’t be coined for years, but that spirit was already taking root. February 27, 1827, gave the city its first taste of what would become an annual rite, one that’s kept the streets buzzing ever since.

How Pokémon Captured The World's Attention

On February 27, 1996, Pokémon Red & Green were released in Japan for the Game Boy, kicking off a franchise that would go on to take over the world. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, Pokémon was inspired by his childhood love of catching bugs, but instead of just collecting insects, players could capture, train, and battle creatures. The games were an instant hit, selling over 10 million copies in Japan alone. Two years later, when Pokémon Red & Blue hit the U.S., the craze exploded—suddenly, kids everywhere were glued to their Game Boys, debating starter Pokémon, and dreaming of becoming the next Pokémon Master. I was one of these kids and let me tell you, this time was magical and it felt like every kid I knew was obsessed with Pokémon. Check out this video to try to understand the grip Pokémon had on the world.

But Pokémon didn’t stop at video games—it became a global phenomenon. The anime, starring Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, launched in 1997 and has been running for over 25 years. The trading card game turned schoolyards into battle arenas, and by the 2000s, Pokémon had sold over 200 million games, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. Then in 2016, Pokémon GO dropped and suddenly the world was filled with adults running through parks chasing digital creatures.

Today, Pokémon is bigger than ever. With over 1,000 Pokémon, countless spin-off games, movies, and an ever-growing fanbase, the franchise has made over $90 billion, making it the highest-grossing media franchise in history. Whether you grew up battling on a Game Boy, trading cards in school, or hunting Pokémon on your phone, one thing is clear: Pokémon is still evolving, proving that some legends never fade.