Tag Archives: Presidential history

Burying General Grant

When General Ulysses S. Grant died in 1885, it was not a surprise. He had been ill for more than a year, and everyone knew it. Double Barrels of Woe In 1880, after an embarrassing semi-attempt at a third presidential … Continue reading

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Harry Truman’s Harried Christmas: 1945

The Sudden Presidency While political insiders had noticed Franklin D. Roosevelt’s physical decline, the country was in shock when their President – for twelve years and counting – died suddenly in Warm Springs, GA. His failing health had been generally … Continue reading

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Abigail Adams and the Inoculation Decision

Smallpox was an extremely contagious disease. The mortality rate was at least 30%. George Washington’s Decision Shortly after the battles of Lexington and Concord in mid-1775, George Washington, a former Colonel of the Virginia Militia and the highest ranking professional … Continue reading

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The Unexpected President: Chester Alan Arthur…..Life and Times: A Book Review

There are very few things that Chester Alan Arthur is “famous” for. One, is his mutton chop whiskers; the other is his statement that “I may be President of the United States, but my private life is my own business.” … Continue reading

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Mary Lincoln’s Gala Bash

In early February, 1862, President and Mrs. Lincoln hosted their only huge party at the White House. Mrs. Lincoln: New FLOTUS For nineteen years Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was only a middle class Springfield, Illinois housewife – and the middle class … Continue reading

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The Deception of Franklin Pierce

Some marriages are mismatches. The Pierces Franklin Pierce was 30 years old when he married in 1834. Good looking, genial and personable, he waited until he was established in his law practice, and was a sitting New Hampshire Democratic Congressman. … Continue reading

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Rutherford Hayes’ Secret Oath

The election of 1876 was one of the most rancorous, divisive and probably corrupt in American history.             Oddly Enough… Both Governor Rutherford Hayes (R-OH) and Governor Samuel Tilden (D-NY) were honest, decent men, albeit … Continue reading

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President Grant and the First State Dinner

The first sovereign of a foreign country to be hosted at a White House State Dinner was the King of the Sandwich Islands – in 1874. State Dinners From the beginning of the United States as a nation, elegant dining … Continue reading

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Sarah Polk’s Memoirs

First Lady Sarah Childress Polk lived to be nearly ninety. Miss Childress of Tennessee Sarah Childress (1803-1891) was born to a comfortable Murfreesboro, Tennessee family, not long after it had joined the Union. Her Presbyterian father was a planter and … Continue reading

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Julia Tyler’s Premonition

Julia Gardiner Tyler spent only seven months as First Lady; then she went to live in Virginia. JGT: The Young Wife Julia Gardiner (1820-1889) was only 24 when she married sitting President John Tyler, a recent widower.  At 54, Tyler … Continue reading

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