Video: 'The USS Monitor' (March 9, 1862 at 3:26)
(Sunday, March 9, 1862, soon after 8:00 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Hampton Roads, part of the American Civil War) — In one of the most famous naval battles in American history, two ironclads, the Union’s Monitor and the Confederate’s Virginia fought to a draw today off Hampton Roads, Virginia. Continue reading Ironclads Monitor and Virginia clash in Battle of Hampton Roads 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1862)
Video: 'The Death of Willie Lincoln'
(Thursday, February 20, 1862, 5:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — William Wallace “Willie” Lincoln, the third son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, died today of typhoid fever at the White House in Washington, D.C. He was only 11 years old. Continue reading President Abraham Lincoln’s third son, 11-year-old Willie, dies of typhoid fever at the White House 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 20 1862)
Video: '1862-06 Battle Fort Donelson Feb 12-16 1862 - Corrected'
(Sunday, February 16, 1862; during the Battle of Fort Donelson, part of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Fort Donelson in the Western Theater of the American Civil War ended today when Union forces captured the Confederate fort near the Tennessee–Kentucky border and opened the Cumberland River, an important avenue for the invasion of the South. Continue reading General Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee, earning moniker ‘Unconditional Surrender Grant’ 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1862)
Video: 'American Civil War: Battle of Fort Henry - "Grant Invades Tennessee"'
(Thursday, February 6, 1862, shortly after 12:34-1:45 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Fort Henry, part of the American Civil War) — Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant gave the United States its first important victory of the American Civil War today by capturing Fort Henry in Donelson, Stewart County, Tennessee. Continue reading Grant takes Fort Henry, Tennessee in first significant Union victory of American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1862)
Video: 'The USS Monitor'
(Thursday, January 30, 1862; during the American Civil War) — The USS Monitor, an ironclad warship built for the Union Navy during the American Civil War, was launched today from where it was built, the Continental Iron Works in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, New York, the first such ship commissioned by the Navy. Continue reading First U.S. ironclad warship, USS Monitor, launched during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1862)
Video: '#10 John Tyler'
(Saturday, January 18, 1862, 12:15 a.m. local time) — John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, serving from 1841 to 1845, after briefly holding office as the 10th vice president in 1841, died early today in Richmond, Virginia, most likely due to a stroke, at age 71. Continue reading Former U.S. President John Tyler, 71, dies in Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 1862)
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.2of9.A.Very.Bloody.Affair.' (Stanton confirmed to replace Cameron at 9:40)
(Wednesday, January 15, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. Senate confirmed President Abraham Lincoln’s choice of Edwin M. Stanton to be the new Secretary of War, replacing Simon Cameron. Continue reading Senate confirms President Lincoln’s choice of Edwin Stanton to be Secretary of War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1862)
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.1of9.The.Cause' (Strong's diary entry at 1:31:07)
(Tuesday, December 31, 1861; during the American Civil War) — On this last day of 1861, during the first year of the American Civil War, George Templeton Strong, lawyer, a founder of the U.S. Sanitary Commission and accomplished diarist, wrote: “Poor old 1861…. It has been a gloomy year of trouble and disaster. I should be glad of its departure, were it not that 1862 is likely to be no better.” Continue reading George Templeton Strong closes out 1861 with gloomy forecast for new year 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1861)
Video: 'What was: The Trent Affair?'
(Thursday, December 26, 1861; during the Trent Affair, part of the American Civil War) — Confederate diplomatic envoys James Mason and John Slidell were freed by President Abraham Lincoln today, heading off a possible war between the United States and Great Britain. Continue reading Lincoln frees British diplomats, averts war with Britain during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1861)
Video: '8th November 1861: The Trent Affair nearly causes a war between Britain and the United States'
(Friday, November 8, 1861; during the Trent Affair, part of the American Civil War) — The USS San Jacinto, commanded by Union Captain Charles Wilkes, intercepted the British mail packet RMS Trent today in Old Bahama Channel between Cuba and the Bahamas and removed, as contraband of war, two Confederate envoys: James Murray Mason and John Slidell. Continue reading Trent Affair nearly sparks war between U.S. and Great Britain during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 8 1861)
