Tag Archives: Presidential history

Eleanor Roosevelt: The Bonus Army

In 1933, when Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt became the First Family, the Great Depression was strangling the country. The USA: 1933 After the stock market crash in October, 1929, it took some time for the economy to be seriously felt … Continue reading

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Tippecanoe and Lincoln: Coalitions

In 1804, the office of Vice President devolved into one of geopolitical accommodation. Geopolitical Accommodation: After the tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr in the Presidential election of 1800, Aaron Burr became Vice President, according to the premise that … Continue reading

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Dolley Madison: Some Evicted Evening

Dolley Madison’s reputation as the most popular First Lady is enshrined for all times…except Washington: The Summer of 1814 Whether he wanted it or not, President James Madison found himself embroiled in the War of 1812, in essence, the “second” … Continue reading

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James Garfield’s Tea House

The Beleaguered President James A. Garfield (1831-81) was a surprise candidate in 1880, mostly due to the vicious political infighting among various factions of the Republican party. Despite having been the youngest Major General in the Union Army, and having … Continue reading

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The Lincolns and the Showman

1862 was a horrible year for the Lincolns. The Bludgeon Blow When he was elected President in 1860, Abraham Lincoln knew that the challenges ahead, as he put it, were “greater even than those of George Washington.” Problems abounded from … Continue reading

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Harriet Lane’s Bracelet Story

Harriet Lane served as de facto First Lady for her bachelor Uncle, POTUS James Buchanan. Little Orphan Harriet James Buchanan was a brother among many sisters. Having received a solid education, he became a successful Pennsylvania attorney, elected to Congress … Continue reading

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The Hoovers’ Christmas Eve Fire

Most people know about the Burning of the White House in 1814….but in 1929? The White House Hoovers Few First Families were as well known, or came to the White House with higher expectations from their countrymen as Herbert and … Continue reading

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Martin Van Buren: The Irony of 1840

8th POTUS Martin Van Buren is vaguely remembered today, but…. …he holds a few interesting distinctions. Born in 1782, he was the first President who was not born a British subject. He was the only President who learned another language … Continue reading

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John Quincy Adams: Weights and Measures

The Constitution of the United States mandated that Congress develop a standardized system of weights and measures – back in 1787. Early Attempts at Uniformity No one argued with the importance of uniformity of measuring things – from the purity … Continue reading

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Dolley Madison: The Recipe Swap

  Just as the Madison parlor was always full, so was their dining table. The Early Madison Years When the young widow Dolley Payne Todd became Mrs. James Madison in 1794, their first two years were spent in Philadelphia, then … Continue reading

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