Tag: US History

June History Hits: The Price of Suffrage

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In June 1873, Susan B. Anthony, a prominent suffragette and women’s right advocate, was charged by a federal court for voting in the 1872 presidential election. Her act of defiance against the prevailing norms not only challenged the patriarchy but also highlighted it.

Four years earlier, in 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified which read: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States” (1). One year later, the United States Congress passed the Fifteenth Amendment which simply stated that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (2). At the occasion of the presidential election of 1872 between Ulysses S. Grant and Horace Greeley, Susan B. Anthony decided to test her status as a citizen and the rights afforded to her by these two amendments. She walked into a polling location in Rochester, New York, along with 50 other women and cast her ballot.  

Anthony’s actions did not go unnoticed or unopposed. Just two weeks later, she was arrested and charged with knowingly, wrongfully, and unlawfully voting. The ensuing trial, United States v. Susan B. Anthony, captivated the nation’s attention. During the trial, Anthony passionately defended her right to vote and argued that the Fifteenth Amendment provided women with the same rights as men. The New York Times article written about the trial spoke of her lawyer’s defense, quoting, “The crime therefore consisted not in the act done, but in the fact that the person doing it was a woman and not a man . . . women have the same interest in the maintenance of good government as men” (3). Despite her eloquent defense, the judge instructed the jury to find her guilty. Anthony’s subsequent refusal to pay the $100 fine further propelled her cause, allowing her to bring the issue of women’s suffrage to the forefront of public discourse.

While it took several more decades for women to secure the right to vote, Anthony’s brave act galvanized a generation of suffragettes who would continue her work. In 1920, nearly a half century after her trial, the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing women’s right to vote across the U.S.

  1. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/14th-amendment
  2. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/15th-amendment#:~:text=The%20right%20of%20citizens%20of,this%20article%20by%20appropriate%20legislation.
  3. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/06/18/82026356.html?pageNumber=1

On This Day: John Brown

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Today, May 9, marks the birthday of a famous figure in American history: John Brown. John Brown’s rebellion, also known as the Harper’s Ferry raid, took place on October 16-18, 1859 when John Brown, an abolitionist, sought to end slavery by force.

Brown was born in Connecticut to an abolitionist family and was heavily influenced by his father, who thought slavery was a sin. In 1837, Brown moved to Kansas to join the fight against pro-slavery forces. He and his sons participated in several violent confrontations, including the Pottawatomie massacre.

Brown became convinced that a violent uprising was necessary to end slavery, and in 1859, he began planning an attack on the federal armory at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Brown believed that by seizing the armory, he could arm slaves and start a rebellion that would spread across the South.

On October 16, 1859, Brown and a group of 21 men arrived in Harper’s Ferry. They quickly took control of the armory, but their plan soon began to unravel. Brown had hoped that slaves would flock to his side, but few did. The local militia arrived, and after a two-day standoff, U.S. Marines, led by Robert E. Lee, stormed the armory. Ten of Brown’s men were killed, including two of his sons, and Brown himself was captured.

John Brown was tried for treason, murder, and inciting a slave insurrection. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to death. Brown’s trial and execution became a cause célèbre in the North, where he was hailed as a martyr for the cause of abolition.

The raid also intensified the debate over slavery in the United States. Many Northerners saw Brown’s actions as heroic, and his execution only increased their determination to end slavery. Southerners, on the other hand, saw the raid as evidence of a Northern conspiracy to incite a slave rebellion, which only heightened their fears of abolition.

John Brown’s Rebellion brought the issue of slavery to the forefront of national consciousness and helped push the country closer to the brink of civil war. John Brown is remembered as a controversial figure, but one whose actions helped set in motion the events that led to the abolition of slavery in the U.S..

April History Hits: The Birth of the American Presidency

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On April 30, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States of America. This historic event marked the beginning of a new era for the fledgling nation, as it transitioned from a loose confederation of states to a more centralized federal government.

Washington’s election was not surprising; he was a respected military and social leader in the colonies. The inauguration took place on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, which served as the nation’s capital at the time. In his inaugural address, Washington emphasized the importance of unity as the only way for Americans to build a strong and prosperous nation. He went on to describe his vision for the nation as such:

. . . the foundation of our nation policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world.  I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people (1).

As president, Washington faced a number of challenges, including establishing a framework for the new federal government and creating a place for the United States in the international community. Most importantly, Washington’s presidency set a precedent for future leaders of the United States. He set the standard for the role of president as both a leader and symbol of national unity.

Learn more about the inauguration here:

  1. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/president-george-washingtons-first-inaugural-speech
  2. https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/inauguration/timeline/

On This Day: April 14

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On April 14, 1865, as the nation celebrated the end of the Civil War, its President, Abraham Lincoln, attended a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Often considered one of the darkest moments in American history, this night at the theater ended with John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, sneaking into the President’s box and shooting him in the back of the head.

Most Americans know the story of the assassination, including that as John Wilkes Booth jumped down from President Lincoln’s box onto the stage, he yelled “Sic semper tyrannis” (thus always to tyrants). You might not know that the phrase appears in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, after Brutus assassinates Caesar.

Source: Library of Congress

As an actor himself, Booth would have been familiar with the phrase as well as its interpretation, meaning that tyrants will always be overthrown. The phrase was also adopted as the motto of the state of Virginia at the dawn of the American Revolution, no doubt a dig at the sovereign King George. Intending to overthrow what he saw as an autocratic government, Booth was the mastermind behind a conspiracy that intended to take out the President as well as Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward. He and his co-conspirators hoped they could decapitate the Union government and revive the Confederacy.

Thankfully, Booth’s efforts to upend the government did not succeed, however; after being shot, President Lincoln was carried across the street to a boarding house, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

To read more about this event, start here:

Washington Post: Abraham Lincoln’s assassination: Great joy, then a gunshot

On This Day: April 11

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On April 11, 1968, the United States took a significant step towards advancing civil rights and equality with the signing of the Civil Rights Act or Fair Housing Act. Intended to build on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and voting, the Fair Housing Act addressed housing discrimination by specifically prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. The act also established penalties for those who violated its provisions, including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the act established the Fair Housing Office within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate complaints of discrimination and enforce the law (1).

The passage of the Civil Rights Act was a major victory for civil rights advocates, but it faced serious opposition. The act itself was considered by Congress several times from 1966-1968 but failed to gain a majority vote. However, on April 4, 1968, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, TN. His death led to riots and protests across the nation as a generation of progressive Americans grieved his loss. In the wake of this shock, President Johnson seized the opportunity to push the bill through Congress yet again, this time receiving the majority votes needed in both houses (2).

In a letter written to Speaker of the House, John W. McCormack, President Johnson wrote, “Last night, America was shocked by a senseless act of violence. A man who devoted his life to the nonviolent achievement of rights that most Americans take for granted was killed by an assassin’s bullet.” President Johnson wanted “all good men to look deeply into their hearts . . . when the nation so urgently needs the healing balm of unity, a brutal wound on our conscience forces upon us all this question: What more can I do to achieve brotherhood and equality among all Americans?” (2).

A NYT article written 55 years after the signing of the Fair Housing Act reminds us that black applicants today are twice as likely to be denied a mortgage loan. Disparity in homeownership rate between black Americans and white Americans continues to rise (3). Certainly, the Fair Housing Act opened up new opportunities for minorities and helped to break down the barriers that had long kept them out of certain neighborhoods and communities, but has housing discrimination really ended?

For more information, visit these resources:

  1. NYT Times: President Signs Civil Rights Bill
  2. Washington Post: The Fair Housing Act was languishing in Congress
  3. The New York Times: Discrimination Seeps Into Every Aspect of Home Buying for Black Americans

Beyond Books: 10 Great Gift Ideas for History Lovers

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The go-to gift for history buffs always seems to be either a book or a t-shirt, which after a few years becomes boring.  Plus, there are only so many wordy books one can plow through. But in reality, there are so many other gifts that could inspire and delight the history lover in your world.

Below are 10 stellar ideas for your history buff:

  1. Retro Bluetooth Speakers- We all have and use Bluetooth speakers, but these retro speakers really evoke nostalgia for times gone by.  I made an Amazon list of about 48 different options in various price ranges.  One of my favorites is this adorable Looptone speaker which received rave reviews.
  1. Vintage Record Players- Alongside the written word, music also holds the memories of the past.  Vinyl records have made a major comeback in recent years and with that there are now a large and gorgeous selection of record players.  I have earmarked 46 different options that look amazing and will take your history lover back to a simpler time.

3. Retro Keyboards and typewriters- Take your history buff on a trip to the past everyday with a historically inspired, retro keyboard or authentic typewriter.  Add a note encouraging the history lover in your life to journal or record their life story to complete the gift. Click on the link to find 37 options for this gift.

  1. Vintage Board Games- Ready for a hearty game of Battleship or Sorry or Mystery Date?  I have picked out 56 different board game options that will make your history buff smile.
  2. Retro Toasters- This collection of mostly mid-century toaster dreams will perk up the historian in your life, and let’s face it, loving history is more than loving facts and figures, it is a lifestyle that appreciates the past in all things.  These 66 swoon-worthy toasters will brighten up your loved ones’ mornings! 
  1. Vintage Inspired Coffee Makers- What’s old is now new and these darling coffee makers will take you back to the absolute good old days.
  1. Retro Tea Kettles- Does your history buff love tea more than coffee?  No problem. I have picked out 20 adorable kettles that will brighten up your tea times.
  1. Vintage Coca Cola Products- The 71 items in this gift idea list range from vintage Coke apparel and advertisements to vintage soda fridges, straw holders and lots of things in between.
  1. Retro Art and Photo Prints- This has 59 prints, photographs and works of art to decorate your history buffs’ walls, which will inspire your historian everyday.
  2. Cool Vintage Phones- And last but not least, consider a cool retro phone. I have created a list of 31 phones that can connect either to a landline or are just used for decoration.  There is something entirely comforting in seeing an old style chunky landline phone.  They make great decorative items for home offices.

Happy Birthday to America’s First Female Lawyer

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May 23rd marks the birth of the woman who was to become the first female lawyer in the US, Belle Aurelia “Arabella” Babb Mansfield.  Born in 1846 in the Benton Township of Des Moines County in Iowa, Arabella was influenced by her parents who valued education and her older brother, Washington Babb, who was also a lawyer.

Arabella Mansfield
Arabella Mansfield, Source: Wikimedia Commons

The interesting part of her story is that she never actually went to law school. After graduating valedictorian of her class at Iowa Wesleyan College, she taught school for a year and married her college sweetheart, John Mansfield.  She then went on to “read the law” in her older brother’s law practice where she worked as an apprentice.

She took the bar exam and passed on June 15,1869 despite the fact that women were legally prohibited. In Iowa, at the time only “white, male citizens” were eligible for admittance to the bar. 

Mansfield argued that women should be allowed to practice law to the Iowa Bar Association and was admitted.  Apparently, she impressed the committee as they wrote:

Your committee takes unusual pleasure in recommending the admission of Mrs. Mansfield, not only because she is the first lady who has applied for this authority in the state, but because in her examination she has given the very best rebuke possible to the imputation that ladies cannot qualify for the practice of law.

Iowa Bar Association

Although admitted to the bar, Mansfield earned a living teaching first at Iowa Wesleyan College and later at DePauw University where she served as the Dean of the school of Art and then later as the Dean of the school of Music.

She was also, notably, active in the suffragette movement and knew famous activist, Susan B. Anthony as they worked to pass the Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote.

To learn more about Arabella Mansfied, visit these sources:

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April History Hits: When FDR Seized Montgomery Ward

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In fairness to Franklin D. Roosevelt, he didn’t want to do it.  But, Sewell Avery, the CEO of Montgomery Ward, was refusing to work with labor unions, and the US was a country at war.

Montgomery Ward & Co.S Building, Chicago Source: Wikimedia Commons

At the time, Chicago-based Montgomery Ward was equivalent to Amazon today. According to Matthew Waxman, a law professor at Columbia University, “By 1943, Montgomery Ward served 30 million customers not only through mail-order deliveries but also via 600 stores and 78,000 employees in 47 states. Two-fifths of U.S. mail-order business went through Montgomery Ward, as did one-fifth of all manufactured products purchased by American farmers.”

Avery had capitulated to Roosevelt once in 1942, but by the beginning months of 1944, he was not having it.  Roosevelt’s fear was that a labor strike would interfere with the war effort, and according to the War Labor Disputes Act of 1943, the National War Labor Board could get in the middle of anything that might lead to a “substantial interference with the war effort.”

According to Waxman, Montgomery Ward’s attorneys maintained that Roosevelt was overstepping in the matter.  On April 25, 1944, Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9438, where he proclaimed “that there are existing and threatened interruptions of the operations of the plants and facilities of Montgomery Ward and Company, located in Chicago, Illinois, as a result of labor disturbances arising from the failure of Montgomery Ward and Company to comply with directive orders of the National War Labor Board.”

Roosevelt ordered his then Secretary of Commerce, Jesse H. Jones, who hailed from my hometown of Houston, Texas, to seize control of Montgomery Ward’s headquarters, retail store, mail order house and warehouse in Chicago and to operate them for the “successful prosecution of the war.”

When a federal dispatch consisting of US Marshalls, deputies and soldiers visited Avery at the headquarters they were not only met with verbal resistance, but Avery refused to leave his office chair leading to the amusing photo that headlined throughout the country at time showing him being literally carried out of his office.  

Sewell Avery being forced from his office
Source: Iconic Photos

Waxman, who made the extraordinary effort to read and summarize for us the very best part of Attorney General Francis Biddle’s memories on the incident who noted that Secretary of War Henry Stimson had pleaded unsuccessfully with Roosevelt that “[E]very man was needed in the war effort; it is a great army, Mr. President, it must not be sent to act as clerks to sell women’s panties over the counter of a store.”

As a woman, I take exception to the fact that Stimson found our under-clothing the furthest possible thing from a successful prosecution of the war, but I get his point, rude as it may be.

Avery fired back in several ways including a statement released to the Associated Press on May 10, 1944 and reprinted in the New York Times where he called the seizure illegal and demanded that the matter be resolved in court.  “Ward’s has been deprived of its property by force and bayonets,” he wrote.

According to Waxman, due to public disapproval, the government released Montgomery Ward back to Avery two weeks later, but then seized the company again, and this time they seized control in nine cities including Chicago after a labor strike broke out at the end of 1944.  Litigation ensued and it looked like the government would win, but the end of the war brought an end to the matter.

To learn more about the Montgomery Ward Seizures, visit these resources:

Forgotten Heroes: Texas Airman Dies in 1961 Diverting Falling Plane from Suburban Neighborhood

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It’s hard to even fathom what thoughts go through a person’s head in the final moments of a crisis where they must choose between their own life or the lives of others.  

Such a crisis came to Captain Gary L. Herod on Wednesday, March 15, 1961.  A pilot for the Texas Air National Guard, Herod was barely in the air over Houston, Texas when his plane began to falter.  With the plane’s engine failing, he tried first to return to Ellington Field Airport, and radioed the control tower that he planned to eject himself from the plane.

Captain Gary L. Herod, Source: Texas Air National Guard

Somewhere in those seconds, though, he realized that doing so would leave the plane to crash into a suburban neighborhood filled with young families in a popular Houston suburb known as Meyerland.  

This excruciating choice included the fact that Herod had a wife and two children of his own.  As the tower asked for confirmation of his intent to eject, Herod’s last words were “not yet.”  

He went down with his plane into a vacant field on the north bank of Brays Bayou, the lone casualty of this tragedy.  Maybe he hoped that he might be able to safely land the plane, or maybe he fully knew the sacrifice he was making.

A couple of months later, a “Hero” tree was planted with a plaque commemorating his sacrifice at the site of the popular Meyerland Plaza Shopping Center, and in 1965, a local elementary school was named for him.  Nearly 57 years later, with the tree failing in health, his plaque and memorial were moved to the nearby elementary school bearing his name.  Herod was also posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross from the United States Air Force.

In April of 1961, a month after the accident, a memorial fund dispersed $2,600 in donations to Herod’s wife.  She wrote a thank you letter, which was published in the Bellaire Texan, a local newspaper.  

Source: Texas Digital Newspaper Program: The Bellaire Texan

“I cannot help but consider, in wonder,” she wrote, “the circumstance which could make it possible for my husband to gain for himself in a few short tragic minutes, more friends than many men gain in a lifetime.”

She went on to say that she planned to dedicate these funds to her childrens’ education. “I feel this is fitting, for I am conscious of the fact that these funds represent to a large degree the gratitude of parents for the well being of their own children and concern for our children who must face life without their father.”

She signed the letter, “Mrs. Gary L. Herod.” 

To learn more about Gary L. Herod, visit these resources:

I Survived the Great Texas Freeze Out of 2021

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Just wanted to let you all know that I was offline last week, because I was participating (against my will) in living history. I live in Texas and as you may have heard, we had a few difficulties last week with an historic snow storm.

My family and I are fine (now), but we spent a little under 48 hours in the freezing cold with no electricity as well as some time without water. I was underprepared, to say the least, for the winter camping skills that would be required of me.

Here is what I learned:

  1. Gas stoves are wonderful (I already knew that from hurricane season).
  2. All of the flashlights in my house are either missing batteries or no longer work.
  3. I am grateful to all of the people who have given me scented candles over the years, they came in clutch.
  4. Hoarding bottled water in between natural disasters is a good idea.
  5. Hoarding toilet paper in between natural disasters is a good idea.
  6. Get your fireplace flue checked out before each winter season, even when you live on the face of the sun.
  7. Even if you have decided that you are too old to ever ski again, keep your ski clothes.
  8. Don’t feel bad if you are the type of person who neglects to clean out your pantry, you will gratefully eat those weird remnants one day.

I look forward to getting back to enjoying history together, but wanted to let you know what I have been up to!

All the best,

Jenn