Abraham Lincoln Cottage

The National Trust has just finished restoring the Soldier's Home that Lincoln used as a retreat from the White House:
Now, after a seven-year preservation effort, President Lincoln's Cottage will reopen to the public as a National Trust historic site on February 18—fittingly, Presidents Day. The Trust and the Armed Forces Retirement Home (as the Soldiers' Home is now called) joined together to preserve and restore both the cottage and an adjacent 1905 Beaux-Arts building, the former administrative offices for the Soldiers' Home that will become the Robert H. Smith Visitor Education Center. The work began soon after President Bill Clinton named the house a national monument in 2000.

The house was used reguarly by Lincoln as a getaway:
For the president, the cottage offered an intimate setting away from the bustle of Pennsylvania Avenue. Sitting in the cottage's drawing room or library, Lincoln met with Union officers, politicians, foreign nationals, and old friends, having candid conversations that may not have been possible at the White House. On his commutes, he spoke with soldiers returning from the front, gleaning unalloyed information that he couldn't get from his generals. On the quiet cottage grounds, he revised drafts of the document that would become the Emancipation Proclamation, saw the horrors of the war in the increasingly frequent burials in the nearby graveyard, and planned his 1864 reelection campaign.

After the opening, you will be able to visit and tour this cottage:
Tours will begin at the visitors center, where a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation will be displayed, as well as exhibits on such subjects as wartime Washington, Lincoln's presidency, and the history of the Soldiers' Home. In one room, visitors will sit around a large wooden table similar to the one used by Lincoln's Cabinet, where an interactive computer program will allow them to assume the role of a Cabinet member and debate emancipation. At the cottage, visitors in guided groups of 15 will walk through the rooms, where they can sit at a facsimile of Lincoln's desk (commissioned by the Trust), or view a stack of his favorite books in the library. Without the distraction of fully decorated rooms, visitors will be free to ponder how the site might have informed Lincoln's views on emancipation and the war.

U.S. Mint offers sneak peek of 2008 dollar coins

Is it me or does President Van Buren look like a goofy professor?

From USA Today:

On Thursday, the U.S. Mint offers the first glimpse of four presidential $1 coins it plans to issue in 2008. The coins bear the images of the fifth through the eighth U.S. presidents.

Beginning Feb. 14, the Mint will issue a new dollar every three months. James Monroe will be first, followed by John Quincy Adams on May 15, Andrew Jackson on Aug. 14 and Martin Van Buren on Nov. 13.

Poll: Which Presidential couple had the most tumultuous marriage?

The has closed for the question, "Which Presidential couple had the most tumultuous marriage?"

Bill and Hillary Clinton won with 32%. Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln came in a close second with 29%. JFK and his wife came in third and Franklin and Jane Pierce finished fourth.

Thanks to all who participated by voting.

Christmas Message 2007 (and 1965)

I thought I'd share this year's Christmas message from President Bush as well as one from a past president.

Christmas Message 2007
December 21, 2007

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...his kingdom will never end.'"
Luke 1:30-33

During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today. The simple and inspiring story of the birth of Jesus fills our souls with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and promises that God's purpose is justice and His plan is peace.

At this special time of year, we give thanks for Christ's message of love and mercy, and we are reminded of our responsibility to serve. America is blessed to have fine citizens who reach out with a compassionate hand to help brothers and sisters in need. We also remember our brave men and women in uniform who have volunteered to defend us in distant lands. Many of those who have answered the call of duty will spend Christmas far from home and separated from family. We honor their sacrifice, ask God to watch over them and their families, and pray for their safe return.

Christmas is a time to rejoice and remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Laura and I pray your Christmas will be blessed with family and fellowship, and we wish you a day of glad tidings. Merry Christmas.

-GEORGE W. BUSH

The President's Christmas Message to the Men and Women in the Armed Forces
December 18th, 1965

THIS is a season of hope and rejoicing as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. It is a time for renewing ties of brotherhood with all men of good will, everywhere on earth.

Our thoughts are especially with the men and women in uniform. We ask that you may enjoy a full measure of this season's happiness. Far from your homes and loved ones, you make it possible for all the rest of us to enjoy more fully the meaning of Christmas. For your sacrifice we are forever indebted.We grieve for those who have made the supreme sacrifice, for those who bear wounds for freedom's sake, and for their families.

We rededicate ourselves in this season of good will to the ultimate promise of peace made 2,000 years ago. To fulfill that hope remains our urgent quest.

-LYNDON B JOHNSON

Holiday in the National Parks

This photo essay has some fun pictures to enjoy! There is actually quite of a few of these "Holiday in the National Park" - including some videos, but some are pretty cheesy (in my opinion). Have a great holiday season!

Grant, Lincoln, and General Order Number 11

Expelling Jews has long been associated with European pogroms. The concept that Jews should be removed (or killed) is not something that is thought of as a part of American history. But it has happened. General Grant, under the auspices of the Lincoln Administration, did indeed order an expulsion of Jews.

Bonnie Goodman at the History News Network wrote December 17, 1862: Grant Issues General Order No. 11 Against the Jews. In it, she details the history of this shameful event.

Goodman wrote, " December 17, 1862, Union General Ulysses S. Grant issues General Order Number 11, expelling Jews from areas of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. General Order Number 11 stands out in American history as the first instance of a policy of official anti-semitism on a large scale. The anti-Semitic order had deeper roots; many Northerners and Union army officials harbored anti-Jewish resentments. Jews in Union occupied Southern cities and towns faced the brunt of this prejudice."

Here is the text of the order:

The Jews, as a class violating every regulation of trade established by the Treasury Department and also department orders, are hereby expelled from the department [the "Department of the Tennessee," an administrative district of the Union Army of occupation composed of Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi] within twenty-four hours from the receipt of this order. Post commanders will see to it that all of this class of people be furnished passes and required to leave, and any one returning after such notification will be arrested and held in confinement until an opportunity occurs of sending them out as prisoners, unless furnished with permit from headquarters. No passes will be given these people to visit headquarters for the purpose of making personal application of trade permits.

Needless to say, this order did not go down well. Although many Southern Jews supported the rebellious Confederacy (such as Confederate Cabinet member Judah P. Benjamin), many Jews were loyal to the Union. Large numbers of Jews were members of the Union Army and they objected to this order as well.

Lincoln wisely moved to nullify this order. Goodman noted, "Lincoln ordered General Halleck, General in Chief of the Army, to revoke the order immediately. Halleck wrote to Grant on January 4, 'A paper purporting to be General Orders, No. 11, issued by you December 17, has been presented here. By its terms, it expells [sic] all Jews from your department. If such an order has been issued, it will be immediately revoked.' Grant complied three days later, but mass evacuation of the Jewish communities in Holly Springs and Oxford, Mississippi, and Paducah, Kentucky had already been carried out."

Despite the swift action by Lincoln, this still stands out as a bad case of antisemitism in American history. During war time, civil right violations occur frequently and are even sometimes justified. The American Civil War was the most serious challenge to the United States in American history. Lincoln frequently violated the civil rights of Americans during his presidency which probably made him the most unpopular American President in history during his administration. (The critics of President George W. Bush are mild compared to southern opinions of Lincoln...)

However, this order by Grant is troubling. Goodman offers reasons why the future President Grant made this decision. Thankfully, Grant did not allow antisemitism to impact his presidency.