(Wednesday, June 18, 1856, shortly after the convention reconvened at 5:00 p.m. local time) — Former Senator John C. Fremont of California was nominated President of the United States today on the second ballot at the first Republican National Convention meeting at Musical Fund Hall in Philadelphia. Continue reading Republicans nominate John C. Fremont for President of the United States 170 years ago this hour (Jun 18 1856)
(Friday, June 6, 1856) — Former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was unanimously nominated President of the United States today at the 1856 Democratic National Convention meeting at Smith and Nixon’s Hall in Cincinnati. Continue reading Democrats nominate James Buchanan for President of the United States 170 years ago today (June 6 1856)
Video: '"The Caning of Charles Sumner (1856): Violence in the Senate Over Slavery" | Episode : 17'
(Tuesday, May 22, 1856, at around 2:30 p.m. local time) — Congressman Preston Brooks, a pro-slavery Democrat from South Carolina, beat Senator Charles Sumner, a Republican abolitionist from Massachusetts, with a walking cane today in the hall of the United States Senate in retaliation for a speech Sumner had made two days earlier attacking Southerners who sympathized with the pro-slavery violence in Kansas (“Bleeding Kansas“). Continue reading Abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner beaten unconscious 170 years ago this hour (May 22 1856)
Video: 'The Kansas Nebraska Act'
(Tuesday, May 30, 1854) — U.S. President Franklin Pierce today signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin Pierce signs Kansas–Nebraska Act, clearing path for slavery expansion 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1854)
Video: 'America's WITTIEST Vice President??? Thomas Marshall's interesting legacy'
(Tuesday, March 14, 1854) — Thomas R. Marshall, 28th vice president of the United States from 1913 to 1921 under President Woodrow Wilson, was born today in North Manchester, Indiana. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Thomas R. Marshall born in North Manchester, Indiana 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 14 1854)
Video: 'William Rufus King | Alabama Legacy Moment'
(Monday, April 18, 1853, 6:00 p.m. local time) — William R. King, the 13th vice president of the United States, died today in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. of tuberculosis after 45 days in office. Continue reading U.S. Vice President William R. King, 67, dies of tuberculosis in Selma, Alabama, 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 18 1853)
(Friday, March 4, 1853, 1:30 p.m. local time) — Former U.S. Senator Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire took the oath of office today as the 14th president of the United States on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. Continue reading Franklin Pierce sworn in as 14th president of the United States, William R. King becomes 13th VP 170 years ago today (Mar 4 1853)
Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1852'
(Tuesday, November 2, 1852; during the 1852 presidential election) — Former Democratic U.S. Senator Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire was elected the 14th president of the United States today, defeating Whig Party nominee Winfield Scott, Commanding General of the U.S. Army from New Jersey. Continue reading Democrat Franklin Pierce elected 14th president of the United States, defeating Whig nominee Winfield Scott 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1852)
Video: 'Charles W. Fairbanks (Part 1)- Indiana Icicle'
(Monday, May 11, 1852) — Charles W. Fairbanks, an American politician who served as a senator from Indiana from 1897 to 1905 and the 26th vice president of the United States from 1905 to 1909 under President Theodore Roosevelt, was born Charles Warren Fairbanks today in a log cabin near Unionville Center, Ohio. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks born near Unionville Center, Ohio 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1852)
Video: 'Harriet Beecher Stowe - Uncle Tom's Cabin - Full' (45 videos)
(Saturday, March 20, 1852) — Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly, an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe which had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U.S., and is said to have helped lay the groundwork for the American Civil War, was published today in book form. Continue reading Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ published 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 20 1852)
