Video: 'Ken Burns’ Civil War, ep1 part 2-3' (Anderson moves garrison to Fort Sumter at 28:54)

(Wednesday, December 26, 1860; seven weeks after the 1860 United States presidential election) — Six days after South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union, the Federal commander of the Charleston defenses, Maj. Robert Anderson, moved his tiny garrison of fewer than 90 men today from Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island to Fort Sumter, situated in the middle of Charleston Harbor.
Continue reading Federal troops take refuge in Fort Sumter after South Carolina secedes 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1860) →

Video: '20th December 1860: South Carolina secedes from the United States of America'

(Thursday, December 20, 1860, 1:15 p.m. local time; six weeks after the 1860 United States presidential election) — 44 days after Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the presidential election of 1860 on a platform opposing the expansion of slavery into the western territories, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union today as all 169 delegates to a special convention in Charleston voted in favor of separation.
Continue reading South Carolina becomes first Southern state to secede from Union over slavery 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1860) →

Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1860'

(Tuesday, November 6, 1860, during the 1860 United States presidential election) — Former U.S. Representative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, a Republican, was elected as the 16th President of the United States today in a four-way contest, serving as the primary catalyst of the American Civil War. Continue reading Abraham Lincoln elected president of the United States in four-way contest 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 6 1860) →

Video: 'Upheaval at the 1860 Democratic Convention: What Happened When a Party Split | Retro Report'

(Saturday, June 23, 1860) — Deeply divided over the issue of slavery, delegates at the 1860 Democratic National Convention meeting today at the Front Street Theater in Baltimore nominated Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for President of the United States. Continue reading Divided Democrats nominate two separate presidential tickets 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1860) →

Video: 'Ken Burns’ Civil War, ep1 part 2-3' (Lincoln nominated at 23:05)

(Friday, May 18, 1860, approximately 1:00 p.m. local time) — Former Representative Abraham Lincoln of Illinois was nominated President of the United States today on the third ballot at the 1860 Republican National Convention meeting at The Wigwam in Chicago. Continue reading Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for president 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 1860) →

Video: 'Throwback Thursday with the History Guy: Vice President Charles Curtis'

(Wednesday, January 25, 1860) — Charles Curtis, the 31st vice president of the United States, who served from 1929 to 1933 during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, was born today in Topeka, Kansas Territory, prior to its admission as a state. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1860) →

Video: 'American President #14: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)'

(Friday, October 8, 1869, 4:35 a.m. local time) — Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States (1853–1857) died today from inflammation of the stomach at the age of 64 at his residence in Concord, New Hampshire. Continue reading Former U.S. President Franklin Pierce dies 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 8 1869) →