Author Archives: SUMPTER

“this mighty revolution”

Posted on July 4, 2026 by SUMPTER

John Adams thought future generations of Americans would celebrate the Second of July as the great day of independence. On that day in 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted to separate from Great Britain and proclaim the thirteen colonies free … Continue reading →

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Thank you

Posted on June 10, 2026 by SUMPTER

Thanks to everyone who has looked over the material here during the past 15 years or so. I appreciate it. L.R. Martens From the Library of Congress: George N. Barnard’s photo of Fort Sumter in April, 1865

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pres pay reduction?

Posted on April 20, 2026 by SUMPTER

No. In its May 6, 1876 issue Harper’s Weekly lauded President Grant for vetoing a bill that would have reduced the U.S. president’s salary by 50%: THE SALARY VETO WHEN the bill reducing the salary of the President was passed … Continue reading →

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disarmament

Posted on April 6, 2026 by SUMPTER

The first major military actions of the American Revolutionary War occurred on April 19, 1775 when the British sent a force from Boston to capture and destroy colonial military supplies. About eleven months after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, … Continue reading →

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celebration preparation

Posted on March 1, 2026 by SUMPTER

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 →

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donations appreciated … and needed

Posted on February 7, 2026 by SUMPTER

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 →

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declaration recommendation

Posted on January 19, 2026 by SUMPTER

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 →

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fake news?

Posted on January 1, 2026 by SUMPTER

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 →

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war story

Posted on December 24, 2025 by SUMPTER

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 →

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“the people’s Thanksgiving”

Posted on November 27, 2025 by SUMPTER

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 →

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