Docendo Discimus
Today, we embark on a journey back to the dawn of the American experiment. Our spotlight shines on the first presidential term of George Washington, a time when the nation’s destiny hung in the balance. On April 30, 1789, amidst the grandeur of Federal Hall in New York City, Washington stepped onto a second-floor balcony to take... Continue Reading →
In the dark annals of American history, few events are as chilling and audacious as the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. While John Wilkes Booth's successful assassination of Lincoln is well-documented, the simultaneous attempt on Secretary of State William H. Seward's life by Lewis Powell is a grim reminder of the extent of the... Continue Reading →
William Henry Harrison's ascent to the presidency was marked by a historic election in 1840, where he emerged victorious as the oldest president to be elected at the time. His campaign was the first to employ modern electoral tactics, including slogans, songs, and mass rallies, epitomized by the memorable "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too." Harrison, a... Continue Reading →
Abigail Powers Fillmore, remembered for her significant contributions as First Lady of the United States and her enduring impact on the White House Library, led a life marked by intellectual pursuit, societal engagement, and personal resilience. Born on March 13, 1798, in Stillwater, New York, to Reverend Lemuel Powers, a Baptist minister, and Abigail Newland-Powers,... Continue Reading →
Washington, D.C., February 24, 1868 – In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, the House of Representatives has voted to pass articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson. This historic decision marks the first time in American history that a sitting president faces the possibility of removal from office through... Continue Reading →
In the annals of American history, few figures have traversed the arduous path from humble beginnings to the echelons of political power with the same steadfast commitment to principle as Henry Wilson, the 18th Vice President of the United States. Born amidst the bleakness of winter on February 16, 1812, in the rural confines of... Continue Reading →
Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, served from 1850 to 1853 following the untimely death of President Zachary Taylor. Born in a log cabin in the early 19th century and rising from humble beginnings through sheer determination and a fervent belief in self-education, Fillmore's story is a testament to the American spirit... Continue Reading →
The Presidential election of 1800 (Electoral college vote is held on January 3, 1801) is often referred to as the "Revolution of 1800" due to its significant impact on the American political landscape. It was a highly contentious and pivotal election that marked the first peaceful transfer of power between two political parties in the... Continue Reading →
It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of President George Washington, the first President of the United States and the Father of our Country. He departed this world on December 14, 1799, at his beloved home, Mount Vernon, in Virginia. President Washington was 67 years old.... Continue Reading →
Washington, D.C. – In a momentous address to a joint session of Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt yesterday declared December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy," following the surprise attack by the Japanese on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. The President, addressing the nation and its representatives, called for a... Continue Reading →
President Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" speech, delivered on December 8, 1953, at the United Nations General Assembly, marked a pivotal moment in the history of nuclear energy and international politics. The speech, coming at the height of the Cold War, represented a significant shift in nuclear policy, proposing the use of atomic energy... Continue Reading →
Born on December 5, 1782, Martin Van Buren was the first American President who had been born a citizen of the United States. That said, his first language was NOT English! He would go on to start a major political party and was long noted for his spectacular ability to conduct politics, leading to one... Continue Reading →
The 1824 United States presidential election, often referred to as the "Corrupt Bargain," stands as a pivotal moment in American political history. It was an election that not only tested the young nation's democratic ideals but also set a precedent for political intrigue and the power of backroom deals. In the wake of the Era... Continue Reading →
Zachary Taylor, born on November 24, 1784, in Orange County, Virginia, emerged as a significant figure in American history, primarily known for his military achievements and his brief tenure as the 12th President of the United States. Taylor grew up in a plantation-owning family in Louisville, Kentucky, which shaped his early life and values. His... Continue Reading →
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pi1K7adq1FsLTGdX2rkLJ?si=18a484de25314cf4 On November 7, 1916, the nation did something it had not done since 1832: it reelected an incumbent Democrat Party President to a second term. Woodrow Wilson, who ran his campaign on the slogan, “He kept us out of the war,” pulled out one of the closest elections in US history, albeit without the... Continue Reading →
October 31, 1968, was a date marked in history as the day President Lyndon B. Johnson announced an end to the bombing of North Vietnam. This decision resonated on both a national and international level and holds significance even today. The Vietnam War, which began in the mid-1950s and lasted until 1975, pitted North Vietnam... Continue Reading →
The fourth and final debate between Vice President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy took place on October 21, 1960. This debate was in New York City via radio and television. The focus of this debate was primarily on foreign affairs, and several key topics were covered: 1. Cuba and Communism in the Western... Continue Reading →
On October 14, 1912, the United States witnessed an event that could have changed its history dramatically: the attempted assassination of former President Theodore Roosevelt. Although the event is not as well-known as the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln or Kennedy, it remains a significant chapter in the annals of American political history. Theodore Roosevelt, the... Continue Reading →
Our exploration of Columbus Day begins on a somber note: the largest lynching in U.S. history. On March 14, 1891, in New Orleans, eleven Italian-Americans were brutally lynched by a mob, accused of the murder of the city's police chief, David Hennessy. The lack of concrete evidence and the fevered atmosphere of anti-Italian sentiment led... Continue Reading →
“What is the vice presidency? The Constitution dictates only two duties: casting the deciding vote if the Senate is deadlocked and replacing the president if he dies or is impeached. Apart from waiting for those two things to happen, you made the rest up and were duly forgotten by history. The exception being Aaron Burr,... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 