US History: Presidential Trivia: Teddy Called Them Muckrakers

The term "muckraker" was used by America's 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. 

In the United States, muckrakers were the name for writers whose aim was to expose corruption: i.e., to search for and expose misconduct in public life.

In chronological order:  

• 1908 - Ray Stannard Baker "Following the Color Line," written to expose racial discrimination.  

• 1906 - David Graham Phillips "The Treason and the Senate, " exposing child labor.  

• 1905 - Ida Tarbell and Thomas Lawson, "Frenzied Finance", a report about stock fraud.  

• 1905 - Charles Edward Russell. He wrote about social dislocation.  

Biographical Facts About each of these four figures.

(1) Ray Stannard Baker (1870–1946) — Following the Color Line (1908)

1. Pen name / alternative persona: Baker published essays and rural life sketches under the pseudonym David Grayson. (Encyclopedia.com)

2. Origins & early life: Although born in Lansing, Michigan, his family moved when he was young to Wisconsin (St. Croix Falls), where his boyhood experiences shaped much of his later pastoral writing. (Wisconsin Historical Society)

3. Career shift from law to journalism: Baker briefly attended law school at the University of Michigan but left after a semester to begin work in journalism (starting in Chicago). (EBSCO)

4. Muckraker / Progressive journalist: He joined McClure’s Magazine in 1898 and contributed to muckraking investigations (e.g., railroads, corporate abuses) before cofounding The American Magazine in 1906. (Encyclopedia.com)

5. Wilson biographer & award: Later in life, Baker became the authorized biographer of President Woodrow Wilson; his eight-volume Woodrow Wilson: Life and Letters (1927–1939) earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 (for its final volumes). (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Context of Following the Color Line (1908): In 1908, Baker published Following the Color Line: An Account of Negro Citizenship in the American Democracy, one of the first major journalistic probes into racial conditions in the United States, exploring segregation, disenfranchisement, and social obstacles faced by African Americans. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

(2) David Graham Phillips (1867–1911) — The Treason of the Senate (1906)

1. Early life & education: Phillips was born in Madison, Indiana, and graduated from Princeton University in 1887. (archives-manuscripts.dartmouth.edu)

2. Journalistic beginnings: He worked as a reporter in Cincinnati and then in New York (for The Sun and New York World) before turning to independent journalism and fiction. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

3. Novelist & journalist hybrid: Phillips published The Great God Success (1901), which enabled him to fund his investigative journalism full-time; he blended narrative techniques with reportage in many of his works. (Wikipedia)

4. “Treason of the Senate” series and impact: Beginning in March 1906, Phillips published a nine-part series,  “The Treason of the Senate” in Cosmopolitan, charging that many U.S. Senators were beholden to corporate interests rather than the people. This series helped fuel public pressure that contributed to the eventual adoption of the 17th Amendment (popular election of senators). (Encyclopedia Britannica)

5. Tragic death: On January 23, 1911, Phillips was walking in Gramercy Park, New York, when he was shot six times by a man (Fitzhugh Coyle Goldsborough) who claimed Phillips had libeled his family in a novel. He died the next day. (Wikipedia)

(3) Ida Tarbell (1857–1944) & Thomas W. Lawson — Frenzied Finance (1904/1905)

Since this entry involves two collaborators (Tarbell and Lawson), I’ll offer a few facts about each (combined enough to total ~5), but with emphasis on their collaborative or contemporaneous roles.

1. Scientific training & method: As a young woman, Tarbell was drawn to the sciences (especially geology and botany); she applied scientific rigor and method to her investigative journalism. (PBS)

2. Pioneer of investigative journalism: Her History of the Standard Oil Company (1904) is considered a landmark in the muckraking tradition, exposing John D. Rockefeller’s business methods and influencing antitrust litigation. (PBS)

3. Constraints as a woman journalist: In a time when women had limited professional outlets, Tarbell’s success in magazine journalism (e.g., McClure’s) was especially notable and paved the way for female investigative writers. (PBS)

4. Long career in writing and biography: Beyond Standard Oil, Tarbell wrote biographies (e.g. of Abraham Lincoln) and continued in journalism and lecturing. (PBS)

(3a) Thomas W. Lawson

5. Insider turned exposer: Lawson was a Boston financier and stock speculator who used his knowledge of the markets to publish a sensational series titled “Frenzied Finance” (in Everybody’s Magazine, 1904–05) that revealed manipulation, speculation abuses, and corrupt financial practices. (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias)

6. (Bonus) Role in muckraking movement: His financial exposés complemented those of journalistic muckrakers by revealing fraud from within finance, lending insider credibility to critiques of Wall Street. (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias)

Context of Frenzied Finance: In Frenzied Finance, Lawson exposed shady practices in the stock and insurance markets, speculative bubbles, stock manipulations, and conflicts of interest in financial houses—thus helping to popularize public skepticism of unregulated markets. (AcademicDictionaries and Encyclopedias)

(4)  Charles Edward Russell (1860–1941) — social dislocation/exposures (circa 1905)

1. Editorial lineage & early work: Russell was born in Davenport, Iowa (Sept. 25, 1860), son of the editor of the Davenport Gazette; he learned newspaper work under his father. (Encyclopedia.com)

2. Muckraker reputation / major exposé: In 1905, he published The Greatest Trust in the World, a scathing exposé of the beef (meatpacking) trust (Chicago) that was influential in Progressive Era reforms. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

3. Diverse reform interests: Russell’s writings spanned a wide range of social concerns—slum housing (including exposing church owned slums in New York), prison conditions in the South, railroad abuses, and inequality. (Encyclopedia.com)

4. Political activism & socialism: He joined the Socialist Party in 1908, saw socialism (despite his limited theoretical grounding) as a challenge to concentrated corporate power. (EBSCO)

5. Later career and public roles: Russell wrote biographies, novels, poetry, and diplomatic commentary. He ran (unsuccessfully) for New York political office (governor, senator, mayor) on the Socialist ticket, and during WWI supported U.S. entry (leading to his expulsion from the Socialist Party). (Encyclopedia.com)

On “social dislocation” themes: Russell’s journalism often focused on the dislocations caused by industrial capitalism—how workers, farmers, and urban dwellers were uprooted, exploited, or marginalized by corporate consolidation and monopolies. His exposition of the Beef Trust and his critiques of institutional corruption speak directly to those social stresses. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• “Ray Stannard Baker.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

• “Ray Stannard Baker.” PBS — American Experience: Wilson feature. (PBS)

• “Baker, Ray Stannard (1870–1946).” Encyclopedia.com. (Encyclopedia.com)

• “Ray Stannard Baker” entry, Wisconsin Historical Society. (Wisconsin Historical Society)

• “David Graham Phillips.” Wikipedia. (Wikipedia)

• “David Graham Phillips.” Britannica. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

• “Phillips, David Graham (1867–1911).” American National Biography abstract. (anb.org)

• “David Graham Phillips Manuscripts, 1902-1950.” Princeton (finding aid). (Finding Aids)

• “Madame Muckraker: Ida Tarbell.” PBS article. (PBS)

• “Muckrakers.” Universalium. (entry on Thomas W. Lawson & others) (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias)

• “Muckrakers.” The Free Library (on Frenzied Finance) (The Free Library)

• “Charles Edward Russell.” Wikipedia. (Wikipedia)

• “Charles Edward Russell.” Britannica. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

• “Charles Edward Russell.” Encyclopedia.com. (Encyclopedia.com)

• “Charles Edward Russell papers, 1864–1941.” Library of Congress finding aid. (Finding Aids)

• “The Davenport Writers Project: Charles Edward Russell.” (Augustana College). (Augustana College)

• “Muckrakers: 10 Tales …” HistoryCollection.com (on Russell) (History Collection)

Worthy of honorable mention: 

• Ida Minvera Tarbell (1857 - 1944), U.S. journalist, known for "muckraking" exposés of political and corporate corruption; also a biographer, notably of Abraham Lincoln; and the only lady in the bunch!

Ida M. Tarbell, American "muckraker" author. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

  ***

More Presidential Trivia:

• American presidents, (Thomas) Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, were Nobel Prize winners. In 1906, Roosevelt received the award for being a mediator and arbitrating an end to the Russo-Japanese conflict; there was a dispute over Manchuria and Korea. Wilson received the prize in 1919 for establishing the League of Nations after World War I (1914 - 1918).

The "teddy bear" is named after Roosevelt's nickname Teddy because he went hunting and didn't want to shoot a baby cub.  Many people think a teddy bear with roses is an irresistible gift for Valentines Day?  

Kindle eBooks - Biographies & Memoirs of Presidents & Heads of State

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In Opinion

Mark Schmitt writes, "When corruption is perceived as universal, those in power can use investigations and allegations of corruption as a weapon. This has been the pattern in Brazil, for example, and Trump has followed the playbook as well."https://t.co/YFUOqYcuQA

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 3, 2019

* * *

What the USA needs right now is some good "#muckrakers". https://t.co/ov3ZjHu3qj

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 3, 2019

America's First 10 Presidents ~ A Quick Summary

George Washington served as President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 (about a decade). During his administration the Bill of Rights became law. 

American Presidents AFTER George Washington, in order: John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; James Monroe; John Quincy Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; and John Tyler.

First Ladies:

* Martha Washington;

* Abigail Adams;

* Martha Jefferson;

* Dolley Madison;

* Elizabeth Monroe;

* Louisa Adams;

* Rachel Jackson;

* Hannah Van Buren;

* Anna Harrison; and

* Leticia Tyler.

Quick Facts About the Presidents:

• George Washington ~ called the “Father of His Country”

• John Adams ~ he was the nation's first Vice-President

• Thomas Jefferson ~ he was the nation's second Vice-President

• James Madison ~ US declared war on Britain and British burned down the White House

• James Monroe ~ Spain gave US Florida in order to settle a $5 million debt

• John Quincy Adams ~ he was the son of John Adams

• Andrew Jackson ~ had a “Kitchen Cabinet” of informal advisors in addition to the formal presidential cabinet

• Martin Van Buren ~ major banks closed which started the Panic of 1837 and the was an economic depression that lasted for his entire presidency

• William Henry Harrison ~ inaugurated on March 4, 1841; died of pneumonia at the White House on April 4th

• John Tyler ~ signed bills permitting Florida and Texas to be admitted to the Union and become the 27^th and 28^th states

Did you know that:

* July 4^th is America's Independence Day. Three of the first ten presidents died on the 4^th of July? John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both passed away in 1826. James Monroe died in 1831.

REF: U.S. History Timeline: From Washington to Tyler.

Presidents' Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Original Source

Abraham Lincoln Was the Best American President. Agree or Disagree.

February 19 is Presidents Day 2024.  The 2024 United States elections are scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Every presidential election year is always an especially good time to reflect on America's past presidents who helped make America great.  

Will future leaders continue the business of nation-building?  Will they continue to build on their foundation, build America up, and maintain its positive influence in world affairs? 

Donald J. Trump was elected as the fearless leader to steer the helm of the United States of America and he has been in office since January 2017. Trump Administration Accomplishments:  Official White House Report.  The 2020 presidential election is right around the corner.  Trump has announced his intentions to run for a second term.  Several Democratic candidates have announced their intentions to seek The Office.  

Trump ran against Biden, lost the election BUT was unwilling to allow a peaceful transition in leadership WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES GREAT!!  Our leaders don't get into office and SET UP A DICTATORSHIP or some other form of government where the leader believes God died and left him in charge!  When elected presidents have served their terms, they leave the White House peacefully and go home!!

At any rate, after the January 6th, 2021 insurrection that Trump instigated, the election results were certified.  Certification is a part of this nation's election process WHICH IS ANOTHER THING THAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT!!

If you were asked who is the best American President, how would you answer?  This is my answer,

Abraham Lincoln Was the Best American President.

– Agree or Disagree?

* * *
Question: Have you ever stood in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln housed in the Lincoln Memorial located in Washington, D.C.?

Answer: Yes. It was awe-inspiring. Learn the history behind the building of this national monument. Historic Places: Abraham Lincoln Memorial
* * *

Question: Have you ever seen the movie “Lincoln” starring Daniel Day Lewis as honest Abe?

Answer: No. However, I heard that Mr. Lewis' performance was stellar. No surprise. Have never known him to ever deliver a shoddy performance. He was outstanding in “The Last of the Mohicans”. Would not expect him to be any less outstanding if given an opportunity to showcase his amazing acting ability in a movie about one of the most beloved presidents of the United States. It's on my watch list.
* * *
Let's try one more Q & A.

♦♦♦♦♦♦

Background Info:

What did William Henry Harrison (1841); John Tyler (1841 – 1845); Zachary Taylor (1849 – 1850); and Millard Fillmore (1850 – 1853) have in common? They were Whigs who served as American presidents. The Whigs is a U.S. political party that existed from 1834 to 1856 and then opted for dissolution or rather chose to merge with the Republican party. Under the strength of these united partisans, Abraham Lincoln was elected the first Republican POTUS.

Quora.com is a Q & A website for intelligent discussion. It was formed by a group of people who used to work for Facebook. It's a place that is – in my mind – much like the coffee shops or pubs where university students and academics hang out or similar to Mars Hill where the great minds of ancient Rome liked to gather and discuss and debate and hypothesize and theorize and philosophize and … sometimes say stuff that doesn't make any sense, according to Cicero.

One of the questions put forward was:

Why do some people consider Abraham Lincoln
the best president?

Took a stab at responding to this question.

Answer submitted by Treathyl Fox aka cmoneyspinner on Quora.

Image credit: Raphael, St Paul Preaching in Athens (Mars Hill) – Date: 1515; Wikimedia Commons

Content also published at BlogJob.com, June 24, 2017

• Lincoln

The Last of the Mohicans

Best Selling Books About Abraham Lincoln

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Bush Jr. and Obama

Final post in this series: 
 
POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan to Bush Sr. and Clinton …


 
* * * 

43 rd POTUS, George Bush Jr. (2001 – 2009) 
 
Not being disrespectful but there are lines from a Disney animated film that sum up my thoughts about this administration. 
 
A young deer had received wise advice from his mother, but she had to remind him of her instructions by having him repeat what she had told him. 
 

• Momma Deer: “Now Thumper! What did I tell you?” 

• Young Deer named Thumper: (Heaves a huge sigh before speaking.) “If you can't nothing good … (Another huge sigh.) … don't say nothing at all.” 

 
* * * 

44 th POTUS, Barack Obama (2009 – Present) 
 
“Change has come to America.” Indeed. That “change” will be leaving come January 2017.  No doubt your intentions were honorable and the custodians of American history will likely make a special effort to ensure that the record accurately reflects the highlights of your administration – the good, the bad and the “questionable”. 
 
* * * 

So that's it! Presidential DOTs on my timeline from 1955 to 2016. Still proud to be an American; anchored by the belief and knowledge that this country must be standing because of the grace of God. 

 

glitter-graphics.com
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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Jr. and Obama".

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American Presidents During My Lifetime: George Bush Sr. and William "Bill" Clinton

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan  …


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41st POTUS, George Bush Sr. (1989 – 1993)
 
Was working for the federal government in Washington, D.C., at the time. Bush Sr.'s years in office as POTUS – 1989 through 1993 - coincided with a time of personal crisis for my husband, my young children, and me. Because of our “present distress”, didn't really focus much on what was happening in the world of politics, except if it was a “Bush agenda item” that was in some way work-related. Do remember that the campaigning FOR the presidency took on a ruthless and vicious tone. Once elected, however, Bush Sr. said something about being glad it was over and moving toward “a kinder and gentler America” . You'll have to ask him directly where he was coming from with that statement. Recollections of that time period in my life are very blurry. 
 
* * * 

42nd POTUS, William Clinton (1993 – 2001)

 
People say things got much better for the general population during Clinton's years in the Oval Office. Sadly, only thing that pops out of my memory box is a brew ha ha about him getting a B.J. from a White House intern and cries for his impeachment. And … uuummm … ??? Oh yeah! Lots of Saturday Night Live comedy skits. 
 
Around about the same time, things did start getting better for my family and life was becoming less stressful and distressful. But the changes or improvements can not be attributed to whoever the leader of the nation was. It's the leader of the Fox family who gets full credit for turning things around. We weathered the storm with my husband at the ship's helm and he steered us through perilous and treacherous “waters”. 
 
We passed through and survived to meet and greet POTUS Number 43. Next! 
 

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Sr. and Clinton".

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American Presidents During My Lifetime: Ronald Reagan

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to … 


* * * 

40th POTUS, Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1988)

 

Mr. Reagan truly desired or aspired to be the president. He spent years trying to accomplish this objective. Finally. One day. It happened. He got himself elected. He was inaugurated on the very same day I started working for the United States Customs Service, now known as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
He wasn't too keen on funding health, education and welfare or social programs like that. Just because Jesus said “The poor ye have always with you”, that doesn't mean those in poverty should be a priority budget item. 
 
He wanted to privatize functions like the postal service. 
 
He was really enthusiastic about space and defense programs. But when the Iran Contra Affair occurred, he told the American people he didn't know a thing about it. He has since departed this life but - if speaking honestly - I was never fully convinced he didn't know. Too late now to split hairs over it. 
 
All of America is glad - whether we agree with his decisions or not - that he survived an attempt on his life. The shooter wasn't even politically motivated. The idiot guy was just trying to impress a girl. A girl he didn't even know! God spared Mr. Reagan's life. Amen!

That's my recall/wrap-up of MY opinions and views of Reaganomics and his policies. 
 
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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Reagan".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to …

• Similar to my previous post, combining these next two POTUS Dots also.

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38th POTUS, Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977)

 
Served as Vice-President with Nixon and was then elected as President. He pardoned Nixon and some of US were not too happy about that. The overall sentiment went something like:

• Dirty rotten crooked scoundrel politicians!! Q)Y*X}{@#!R{(TB# … Good old boys network! … (&_R #c ybB6T-!!& &% … etc.

 
Nothing else memorable to report about this administration. Either it was a quiet time or he was a quiet man. Not in the spotlight very often. (O.o) 
 
* * * 

39th POTUS, Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)

 
What with Watergate Scandal, Spiro WHO?, and Ford WHO?, and then a Presidential pardon after all of the uproar … the American people started asking a different type of “WHO” question: 
 

• “WHO out there is an honest politician?”

 
Someone suggested:

• “Well there is this peanut farmer who goes to church every Sunday.”

 
Americans are like: “Fine! Vote him in!”
 
After all, he can't be any worse than a dishonest politician. Right?
 
The mild-mannered Mr. Carter encouraged energy conservation; and he was (and still is) a principled man of peace who succeeded in getting two political leaders of countries – not known for being BFFs – Israel and Egypt - to actually shake hands and publicly agree on a peace accord. Regardless of what actually happened after that, he meant it for good .


* * *


My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Ford and Carter".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to ...

• Will have to combine these next two POTUS Dots. Not a lot to extract by way of recollection for one of them. 

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36th POTUS, Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969)

 
As Vice-President for John F. Kennedy, he had to step into the shoes of the slain President and pick up where he left off, continuing to move America forward. My memories of this administration are dominated by all the public protests against the Vietnam War , and by a lot of really good music during that time period containing song lyrics inspired by the various significant political issues of the day. Want to hear the songs of that generation just listen to the some of the background music for the movie Forrest Gump, which starred Tom Hanks.
 
Of course, my memories include the Civil Rights Movement . It's a perfect day to mention this important milestone in America's history because the date of this post - January 18, 2016 - is also being celebrated as MLK Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, notable Civil Rights activist. 

• President Lyndon Johnson shakes hands with Dr. King after the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. | History.com 

 

• A Beautiful Dream - Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) | medium.com

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37th POTUS, Richard Nixon (1969 – 1974)

 
The Watergate Scandal and Spiro WHO? Remember people saying that about the man Nixon chose to serve with him as Vice-President. Spiro T. Agnew. One would think that with a name like that a person would try to do something more memorable than avoid paying their income taxes. At any rate, Gerald Ford was chosen to take Agnew's place as VEEP and still people kept asking: WHO?? Seems nobody knew him either! (O.o) 

See related and more detailed blog post on Nixon.

Nixon Dots on My Timeline (An Opinion Piece)

 

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Johnson and Nixon".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: John F. Kennedy

Continuing to follow the dots on my timeline which started with Eisenhower . 
 
* * *  
 
35th POTUS, John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963) - What do I recall? 
 

 

The grown folks around me sure thought he was a good POTUS. Didn't know much but saw no reason to disagree with them. Have always believed that this man would have been one of the best presidents. But we will never know as he was cut down by an assassin's bullet or bullets. To this day, the identity of his murderer or murderers have never been confirmed. But the day he was shot is etched in my memory forever. People – the adults, that is, in my neighborhood were showing a range of emotions: sorrow, shock, despair, anger, dread. My older sister made a scrapbook of newspaper clippings – everything she could find about JFK. Sadly, don't know what happened to it. Wish I had kept it. Its historical value would have been priceless. 
 
Kennedy's assassination completely changed my understanding of this thing called “politics” in America, and in the world. Politics is dangerous! Not only dangerous but confusing. To want to get rid of a bad leader – like a ruthless dictator or a really cruel monarch - that's understandable. Not saying that's the right thing to do. But to kill a good leader? That is so clearly and obviously wrong. WHY?? Does this mean the good really do die young?? (O.o) 
 
Thoughts from a child's heart. ♥

 
Next two POTUS Dots:  Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon

* * *

My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Kennedy".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Dwight D. Eisenhower

It's 2016. Another election year in the United States of America. Thought this might be a good time to look back. For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, American presidents are voted in by the people. Although if you believe in the gospel according to Senator Bernie Sanders, that's a myth. Big Money runs this country. It runs the campaign process. It runs the Congress. This is not America. This is the Roman Empire.

But let's just say - for purposes of my posts - the ideal democracy does exist and the real power does rest with the GAP (general American public) and the people do elect their leaders in America. Here's how it works. Leaders are elected. They get to serve for no more than two terms, 4 years each, 8 years top. Then they leave and they can't come back! Most citizens, like me, are OK with this arrangement. Additionally, most citizens, like me, will probably live through about 8 to 10 presidents in their lifetime. 

This is my intro to a series of posts that will be published where I take a look back at the presidential DOTS on my timeline. Won't be drawing from what is written about these fearless leaders in the history books. Just going to try to see what can be drawn from my memory. 

* * *

Beginning with the 34th POTUS, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served from 1953 to 1961. You could say my DOT is on his timeline since, my birth occurred during his time of service, close to the end of the year 1955. 

Only thing in my memory about this administration was that his daughter got married. No. That's not a political act. It's not politics at all. But … back in my time, children were taught not to speak when grown folks were talking and only thing I can recall grown folks talking about was the fact that his daughter was getting married. 

Guess that's an indicator that times during 1953 to 1961 weren't too too bad. (???) 

It's a guess from a person who was between the ages of: Newborn to 6 years. (O.o) 

That's it! Not much extracted. Next post? Next POTUS DOT?  John F. Kennedy

* * *



My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Eisenhower".

Remembering September 11, 18 Years Later: My Remembrances: Joie de Vivre Magazine (Reblog)

(Reblogging from my partner blog, Joie de Vivre Magazine.)

Remembering September 11, 18 Years Later?   This is what I remember. There are no words to express my sorrow for the memory of what happened ...

Remembering September 11, 18 Years Later: My Remembrances

Remembering, honoring, hoping, praying. #NeverForget911 #NeverForget https://t.co/EZNFzbWwDK

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 11, 2019

For Book Lovers : The Jefferson Key: A Novel by Steve Berry

Internationally known, Steve Berry, is a New York Times bestselling author who has published numerous novels and short stories. His works have been translated into 40 different languages and are circulated in 50+ countries. His writings are available in all formats: Kindle Edition, Paperback, Hardcover, Audible Audio Edition, audio CD and audio cassette. They make for good reading or good listening!  "The Jefferson Key" debuted on the Indiebound’s Indie Bestseller List for the week ending May 29, 2011.

The Jefferson Key: A Novel

EXCERPT from Publisher's Summary: “Four United States presidents have been assassinated - in 1865, 1881, 1901, and 1963 - each murder seemingly unrelated and separated by time.

But what if those presidents were all killed for the same reason: a clause in the United States Constitution - contained within Article 1, Section 8 -that would shock Americans? …”

Presidents of the United States of America | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

"A complete list of all United States presidents in chronological order, with birth and death dates and links to related content."

American Presidents | Representing The Whigs

The Whig was a U.S. Political party that was in existence from 1834 to 1856. Four of the active and influential members of the party served as the President of the United States.

No More Whigs

The Whig was a U.S. Political party that was in existence from 1834 to 1856. It was formed in opposition to the Democratic party. They favored higher tariffs and a liberal interpretation of the Constitution. The members eventually united with the Republicans and their party, as we know of it in history, was no more.

It was formed in opposition to the Democratic party. They favored higher tariffs and a liberal interpretation of the Constitution. The members eventually united with the Republicans and their party, as we know of it in history, was no more.

- William Henry Harrison (1841) -
We will never of he would have served our country well because he died one month after taking office of pneumonia.

- John Tyler (1841 – 1845) -
Tyler opened up trade with China and signed bills admitting Florida and Texas to the Union.

- Zachary Taylor (1849 – 1850) -
Respected as a war hero. “Old Rough and Ready” was his nickname. Before he could implement his policies concerning the exclusion of slavery from newly acquired lands, he died.

- Millard Fillmore (1850 – 1853) -
Fillmore delayed the debate over slavery by agreeing to The Compromise of 1850 which gave each newly acquired territory the “liberty” to decide, on their own, whether they would be a slave-state or a free-state. We of course know that the final decision was settled by the American Civil War.

Image credit: By N. Currier (firm), New York [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons




Presidents’ Day is celebrated every third Monday in February in the USA. Almost everyone knows all about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Just sharing a few tidbits about some of our less talked-about American presidents.

Content above first appeared at TreasurePen.com, Feb 13 2014.

U.S. History Timeline: From Washington to Tyler

Jackson and Monroe were not the only ones who made time for romance. All of the others had romantic involvements that resulted in marriages. The first names of the First Ladies from Washington to Tyler are as follows (with husband's initals and the wedding date): Martha (G.W. - January 6, 1759); Abigail (J.A.

U.S. History Timeline: After Lincoln, Before Coolidge

by cmoneyspinner The Republican party was formed in 1854 by antislavery groups. Members of the Whigs, Free-Soilers and Know-Nothing parties merged their ideals of freedom with others in this new party that opposed slavery.

Presidents Who Served First as Vice-Presidents

What do American Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, and Calvin Coolidge all have in common with each other? Two things. These nine men served as Vice-Presidents before becoming Presidents; and they are no longer with US.

Americans Love Their Firsts (Republish to Remind and Refocus US)

We Americans love our “firsts”. When Obama was elected, it was said and is still being said and will continue to be said, he is “the first African-American” to hold the highest office in the land!! Toot! Toot!!!

What do you expect from US? We're still a baby country experiencing our “first steps” in many ways. When a baby takes his or her first steps doesn't everybody applaud the monumental achievement and encourage the little one to keep on going forward?? So let US blow our horn!

George Washington was, of course, our 1st POTUS.

Abraham Lincoln was our 1st Republican POTUS.
- Sadly he was also our 1st POTUS to be assassinated.

Andrew Johnson was the 1st POTUS to be impeached, but he was not removed from office (narrowly escaped).

Ulysses S. Grant was the 1st American since George Washington to hold the rank of full general.
- He was also the 1st to publish his “Personal Memoirs”.

Theodore Roosevelt was the 1st to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 1st (and only) POTUS to serve 3 terms.

John F. Kennedy was the 1st Roman Catholic ever elected as President.

Lyndon Johnson was the 1st to nominate an African-American (Thurgood Marshall) for the Supreme Court.

Richard Nixon was the 1st of our country's leaders to be impeached who had to go home!

Ronald Reagan was the 1st POTUS to appoint a woman (Sandra Day O'Connor) to the Supreme Court.
- By God's grace, he was also the first to survive an assassination attempt by John W. Hinckley, Jr.


So there you have just a few remarkable “first moments” in the history of the United States of America.



* (Just an aside trivia note: Ronald Reagan and Bob Marley share the same birth date, February 6th. Marley died in 1981, the same year as the failed attempt on Reagan's life.)


Image credit: Public domain.

* * More Interesting Trivia: * *
- In 1872, Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to run for President of the United States.
- 100 years late in 1972, Shirley Chisolm was the first black woman to run for President.

***
Original Post, Feb 22, 2014 at TreasurePen

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