Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

train trip

Posted on August 28, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today President Andrew Johnson and a group of federal dignitaries began what would become known as the Swing Around the Circle, an eighteen day or so speaking tour in which President Johnson took his case to audiences … Continue reading →

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“wholesale slaughter”

Posted on July 30, 2016 by SUMPTER

On July 30, 1866 a riot broke out in New Orleans. Louisiana Governor James Madison Wells had called for a convention to “enfranchise blacks, prohibit ‘rebels’ from voting, and establish a new state government.” Opponents, including members of the city … Continue reading →

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lightning votes

Posted on July 19, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week Congress took almost all of three hours to override a presidential veto In February 1866 President Andrew Johnson vetoed a bill to extend the jurisdiction of the Freedmen’s Bureau. The U.S. Senate was unable to … Continue reading →

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four score and ten

Posted on July 4, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today Massachusetts state representative George Bailey Loring delivered an Independence Day oration at Newburyport, Mass. He paid homage to Abraham Lincoln and declared the supremacy of the federal government. He disagreed with President Andrew Johnson’s objection to … Continue reading →

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kudos to the chief

Posted on June 24, 2016 by SUMPTER

On July 22, 1866 President Andrew Johnson reported to Congress that his administration had sent the recently passed Constitutional Amendment to the states for ratification. He used the occasion to explain his opposition to the amendment. He thought it was … Continue reading →

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southern states’ side

Posted on June 22, 2016 by SUMPTER

In early June 1866 Congress passed what would become the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 150 years ago today President Andrew Johnson reported to Congress that the amendment had been dutifully sent to the states for their consideration. … Continue reading →

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“Irish flag was planted on British soil”

Posted on June 2, 2016 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today an army of Fenians, Irish-Americans who wanted Great Britain to let Ireland become an independent republic, attacked Canadian forces at the Battle of Ridgeway. “The Fenian insurgents [were] led by Brigadier General John O’Neill, a former … Continue reading →

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national hero

Posted on May 29, 2016 by SUMPTER

When the American Civil War broke began in 1861 the United States army was commanded by Winfield Scott, a native Virginian who was 74 years old and in ill health. In April 1861 General Scott wanted another career officer from … Continue reading →

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nickname serendipity

Posted on May 15, 2016 by SUMPTER

In February 1866 President Andrew Johnson vetoed the Freedmen Bureau extension bill. His insensitive and demeaning remarks in a Washington’s Birthday talk angered Republicans in Congress, which in early April overrode the president’s veto of the Civil Rights bill. 150 … Continue reading →

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graves matter

Posted on May 5, 2016 by SUMPTER

On May 5, 1866 residents of Waterloo, New York dedicated the day to honoring their Civil War dead: … all businesses were closed, and the village was decorated with flags at half-mast, draped with evergreens and mourning black. The women … Continue reading →

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