Today in American history…Our 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison, was born on August 20, 1833. Did you know his grandfather was also a President? Benjamin Harrison was the grandson of William Henry Harrison – who served as the 9th U.S. President. The only grandfather-grandson in US history to serve as President.

Today in American history…Florence Harding was born on August 15, 1860 in Marion, Ohio. She was the very first First Lady to vote in a Presidential election on Nov 2, 1920 (women had just received the right to vote due to the 19th Amendment of the US Constitution which was ratified on August 18, 1920. She was a great supporter of women’s rights and veterans causes. She also loved animals and was an active animal rights activist. Mrs. Harding also wore the latest bright colored fashions of the day as worn by the ‘flappers’ which brought her much criticism.

This cute little boy was born today in 1874. Who was he?? 🤔

Today is National Rice Pudding Day! In honor of this special day here is a fantastic recipe in Mary Randolph’s famous cookbook (ps. today is also her birthday – born today in 1762).

Who does not love Rice Pudding! It’s such a yummy, succulent comfort food and really warms the heart (and taste buds). As a child, this was one of my favorite desserts – my grandmother in Vermont used to even add a dash of maple syrup (if you are from New England you tend to add maple syrup to a lot of things 😂)

Today in American history…Edith Roosevelt was born on August 6, 1861. She married her childhood sweetheart, Teddy, in 1886. Her husband once made the following remarks to William Taft:

“I take the keenest pride in seeing Mrs. Roosevelt at the head of the White House—a gentlewoman, who gives to all the official life…an air of gracious and dignified simplicity, and who with it all is the ideal of a good American wife and mother who takes care of her six children in the most devoted manner…Mrs. Roosevelt comes a good deal nearer my ideal than I do.”

Today in American history…Robert Todd Lincoln was born on August 1, 1843. Named in honor of his maternal grandfather, he was the first child (and the only child of theirs to live to adulthood) of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln.

Robert Lincoln had an interesting life and career – he even served under a few Presidents. He served in the Civil War as a Captain in the U.S. Army under Ulysses S. Grant. He also served as Secretary of War in the James Garfield and Chester Arthur administrations. Under the Benjamin Harrison administration, he served as Minister to the U.K.

A little known strange fact is that he was physically close in proximity to a few of the Presidential assassinations. He was nearby at the White House the evening his father was shot and with his father at the Peterson House when his father succumbed to his injuries. He was also at the scene of the Garfield assassination and nearby when McKinley was shot.

Robert Lincoln was at the dedication of The Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922. He was a loyal son and staunch protector of his fathers legacy.

He lived to be 82 years old and passed away on July 26, 1926 at his estate, Hildene, in Manchester, Vermont.

Robert Todd Lincoln is the only family member not buried in the Lincoln vault in Springfield, Illinois and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.