Category Archives: 1860s

Divided Democrats nominate two separate presidential tickets 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 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)

Republicans nominate Abraham Lincoln for president 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 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)

Pony Express begins carrying mail between Missouri and California 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1860)


Video: '3rd April 1860: The first Pony Express service went into operation'

(Tuesday, April 3, 1860, 7:15 p.m. local time in St. Joseph, Mo.) — The legendary Pony Express, a mail service delivering messages, newspapers and mail using relays of horse-mounted riders, began today, with riders leaving St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, at the same time. Continue reading Pony Express begins carrying mail between Missouri and California 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1860)

U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 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)

Former U.S. President Franklin Pierce dies 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 8 1869)


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)

Golden spike completes First Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory, Utah 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1869)


Video: 'The Last Spike: A Trip to Golden Spike National Historic Site'

(Monday, May 10, 1869, 12:47 p.m. local time) — A golden spike was driven today in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. Continue reading Golden spike completes First Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory, Utah 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1869)

U.S. Vice President John Nance Garner born 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 22 1868)


Video: ‘Cactus Jack: Lone Star on Capitol Hill’

(Sunday, November 22, 1868)John Nance Garner, the 32nd Vice President of the United States, who served from 1933 to 1941 during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was born today in a log cabin near Detroit in Red River County, Texas. Continue reading U.S. Vice President John Nance Garner born 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 22 1868)

Grant decisively defeats Seymour, elected POTUS 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1868)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1868'

(Tuesday, November 3, 1868, during the United States presidential election, 1868) — Commanding General of the U.S. Army Ulysses S. Grant of Illinois, a Republican, was elected President of the United States today, defeating former Democratic Governor Horatio Seymour of New York in the first presidential election since the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Continue reading Grant decisively defeats Seymour, elected POTUS 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1868)