Category Archives: 150 Years Ago This Week

News from 150 years ago

nothing to hear here?

Back around the New Year a couple New York City periodicals seemed to be eagerly awaiting the March 4th 1869 inauguration of President-elect Ulysses S. Grant “with the guarantees of future peace and prosperity and of a final settlement of … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, The election of 1868 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

civvies lesson

According to the February 23, 1869 issue of The New-York Times Washington’s Birthday 150 years ago was kind of a humdrum day in the great metropolis, a day that “had the air of something that has missed fire. It was … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

lest you forget

In January 1869 a National Convention of the Colored Men of America was held in Washington, D.C. On January 19th a delegation from the Convention called on President-elect Ulysses S. Grant to congratulate him for the victory and to remind … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

happy new wheels

Based on its January 9, 1869 cover, it seems that Harper’s Weekly had pretty great expectations for the new year in general and president-elect Ulysses S. Grant in particular. It’s true that General Grant did successfully carry out the political … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, American Culture, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

conservative counterpoise

In an editorial on December 25, 1868 The New-York Times stressed that Christmas was a traditional, family time in a world of great technological change, especially the transportation revolution caused by steam power. The technological innovation led to social change: … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Technology, Veterans, War Consequences | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

harbor fire

During The American Civil War Fort Lafayette in New York harbor was used to lock up political prisoners. 150 years ago today a fire burned a good deal of the fort – an estimated $100,000 worth. The December 19, 1868 … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath | Tagged , | Leave a comment

holiday for the homes

In October 1868 President Andrew Johnson proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving on November 26th, the last Thursday of the month. This continued a tradition begun five years earlier by Abraham Lincoln. In its November 28, 1868 issue Harper’s Weekly … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, American History, American Society, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

marching orders

On November 3, 1868 Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant was elected President of the United States. He garnered about 300,000 more votes than his Democratic challenger Horatio Seymour. In the electoral college he won 214 votes compared to 80 for … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Postbellum Society, Reconstruction, The election of 1868 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sedgwick statue dedicated

According to Harper’s Weekly, 150 years ago today a statue of Union General John Sedgwick was dedicated at West Point. At least as of 2008 the monument was still standing. ________________________ John Sedgwick was killed at Spotsylvania on May 9, … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Monuments and Statues, Postbellum Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

tsunami?

On October 13, 1868 voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana elected Republicans in state races by substantial margins. The Democrats were reportedly in such deep distress that they considered replacing Horatio Seymour as their nominee for the U.S. Presidency, possibly … Continue reading

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Aftermath, Postbellum Politics, Reconstruction, The election of 1868 | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment