Author Archives: SUMPTER

celebration preparation

In its February 19, 1876 issue Harper’s Weekly published some artist’s sketches from the grounds of the U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia as the May 10th opening approached: CENTENNIAL SKETCHES. We give on page 149 a few choice sketches from … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Month, American History, American Society | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

donations appreciated … and needed

On the first day of 1776 John Morgan, the chief medical officer with the American army at Boston sent out a public letter thanking people in Massachusetts for donating hospital supplies to the army. He then went on to request … Continue reading

Posted in 250 years ago, American History, Slavery | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

declaration recommendation

250 years ago American rebel forces were besieging Boston and the British Redcoats holed up in it. One of the American commanders Nathanael Greene wrote a letter to fellow Rhode Islander Samuel Ward, a member of the Second Continental Continental … Continue reading

Posted in 250 years ago, American History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

fake news?

I admit I’ve been sitting on this story. When I was reading newspapers a few weeks ago at the Library of Congress, I was quite shocked by an article that seemed to contradict a rock-solid assumption I’ve held for over … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago, American History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

war story

According to the December 25, 1575 issue of Harper’s Weekly, Americans were using evergreen garlands and wreaths more to decorate their homes for Christmas. The decorations might have been changing, but people still yearned to go home for Christmas. Ira … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American Culture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“the people’s Thanksgiving”

President Grant’s seventh Thanksgiving Proclamation (from Pilgrim Hall Museum): THANKSGIVING DAY 1875 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION In accordance with a practice at once wise and beautiful, we have been accustomed, as the … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American Culture, Postbellum Society, The Grant Administration | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Death of a Union Man

Early on the morning of July 31, 1875 former president and U.S. Senator Andrew Johnson died at his daughter Mary’s home after suffering a couple strokes. An editorial in the August 1, 1875 issue of The Chicago Daily Tribune (Page … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago, Impeachment, Postbellum Politics, Reconstruction | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

twists of fate

It’s been about fifteen years since the American Civil War sesquicentennial began with the 1860 election campaign. After Abraham Lincoln was elected U.S. president, southern states began to secede and by April 1861 rebel forces were threatening Union-held Fort Sumter … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago, 150 Years Ago This Week, Postbellum Society, Southern Society, Veterans | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Channel swim

150 years ago this morning Englishman Matthew Webb became the first known human to swim across the English Channel without artificial aids. He landed near Calais after about 22 hours in the salt water. From the October 2, 1875 issue … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

public–private partnership

We seem to like anniversaries, counting the years with our trusty calendars. I’m pretty sure I was vainly proud to graduate from school the year of the United States bicentennial, and I know I was very enthusiastic about the Civil … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago, American History, Postbellum Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment