Category Archives: 1860s

Original Ku Klux Klan formed in Pulaski, Tennessee 160 years ago today (Dec 24 1865)

1860s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Ku Klux Klan - An American History | Part 1 | Free Documentary History' (Dec. 24, 1865, at 3:30)

(Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 1865; during the Reconstruction era) — Just six days after the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States (except as punishment for a crime), was officially proclaimed in effect, six veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club today in Pulaski, Tennessee — a group that would become the first incarnation of the Ku Klux Klan. Continue reading Original Ku Klux Klan formed in Pulaski, Tennessee 160 years ago today (Dec 24 1865) →

Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865)

1860s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'The 13th Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies'

(Monday, December 18, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, was declared in effect today by Secretary of State William H. Seward, having been ratified by three-quarters of the states (including those in secession) as of Dec. 6, 1865. Continue reading Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865) →

Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 premieres in Vienna 160 years ago today (Dec 17 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Schubert: Unfinished Symphony No.8'

(Sunday, December 17, 1865) — Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, known as the “Unfinished” because only two movements had been completed, was first performed publicly today in Vienna, 37 years after the composer’s death.

Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865)

1860s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: '13th Amendment - Decades TV Network'

(Wednesday, December 6, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime), was ratified today as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it. Continue reading Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865) →

Mississippi becomes first Southern state to enact ‘Black Codes’ 160 years ago today (Nov 24 1865)

1860s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Reconstruction - black codes 14th wques'

(Friday, November 24, 1865) — Mississippi today became the first Southern state to enact laws which came to be known as “Black Codes” aimed at limiting the rights of newly freed blacks. Continue reading Mississippi becomes first Southern state to enact ‘Black Codes’ 160 years ago today (Nov 24 1865) →

Mark Twain’s ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’ published 160 years ago today (Nov 18 1865)

1860s


Video: 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain'

(Saturday, November 18, 1865) — Mark Twain’s first literary success, the original version of his short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” was first published today in The New York Saturday Press under the title “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog.”

Andersonville commandant hanged for war crimes 160 years ago this hour (Nov 10 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Nov. 10, 1865, at 44:45)

(Friday, November 10, 1865, 10:32 a.m. local time) — Henry Wirz, a Swiss-born Confederate officer in the American Civil War best known for his command of Camp Sumter, the Confederate prisoner-of-war camp near Andersonville, Georgia, was hanged today at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington for conspiracy and murder relating to his command of the camp.

U.S. President Warren G. Harding born in Blooming Grove, Ohio 160 years ago today (Nov 2 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Presidential Minute With Warren G. Harding'

(Thursday, November 2, 1865) — Warren Gamaliel Harding, the 29th President of the United States (1921-1923), was born today in Blooming Grove, Ohio. Continue reading U.S. President Warren G. Harding born in Blooming Grove, Ohio 160 years ago today (Nov 2 1865) →

British climber Edward Whymper leads first ascent of Matterhorn 160 years ago this hour (July 14 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Zermatt, the first ascent of the Matterhorn, Edward Whymper'

(Friday, July 14, 1865, 1:40 p.m. local time) — The Matterhorn, straddling Italy and Switzerland, was summited today as a seven-member rope party led by British climber Edward Whymper reached the peak. Continue reading British climber Edward Whymper leads first ascent of Matterhorn 160 years ago this hour (July 14 1865) →

Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (July 7, 1865, at 31:48)

(Friday, July 7, 1865, 1:26 p.m. local time) — Four people, including Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt, were hanged today in the Old Arsenal Penitentiary courtyard in Washington, D.C., after being convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865) →