Today in American history…Martha Washington was born on June 2, 1731 on her parents plantation, Chestnut Grove, in the Colony of Virginia. She was married to the first President of the United States, George Washington, and was often referred to as “Lady Washington” being that the term “First Lady” wasn’t used until several years after her death.

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” Martha Washington

Today in American history…President John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Today in American history…President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at the hands of John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. President Lincoln was attending the play, Our American Cousin, when he shot at 10:15 PM. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was sitting by his side as well as their guests in the Presidential box, Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée Clara Harris.

He passed away the following morning at The Peterson House, located across the street from Ford’s Theater, at 7:22AM.

Today in American history…Sandra Day O’Connor, America’s first woman Supreme Court Justice (1981- 2006), was born in El Paso, Texas on March 26, 1930.

Today in American history…the anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was published on March 20, 1852.

Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and the also the second best-selling book of the 19th century (following the Bible).

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is often credited with aiding to fuel the abolitionist cause of the 1850’s. In the first year of its publication it sold 300,000 copies in the United States.

Today in American history…Franklin Delano Roosevelt married Eleanor Roosevelt on March 17, 1905 in New York City. She was escorted down the aisle by her uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt (Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Today in American history…James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, Virginia. He would become our 4th US President (1781-1783) and is known as the “Father of the Constitution” for his crucial role in drafting the US Constitution and was the also the author of the US Bill of Rights.

It was a wonderful day visiting Harpers Ferry National Historical Park today.

My husband and I visited the historic firehouse where the infamous abolitionist John Brown was captured during his raid on the townwhich occurred from October 16-18, 1859.

John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry was an effort on his behalf to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over the United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He was captured and hence put on trial for treason and executed via hanging by the Commonwealth of Virginia on December 2, 1859. Some say that this was the first “shot” of the Civil War.

On a lighter note, we enjoyed our visit to True Treats Historic Candy which is the only historic confectionary in America. We enjoyed tasting George Washington Carver’s original recipe for peanut brittle and it was fantastic! We also enjoyed a much needed respite along the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers.

I hope that you had a wonderful Sunday 🇺🇸

Today in American history…Jane Appleton Pierce was born on March 12, 1806 in Hampton, New Hampshire. She served as our First Lady when her husband, Franklin Pierce, became our 14th US President (1853-1857).

“I have known many of the ladies of the White House, none more truly excellent than the afflicted wife of President Pierce. . . . She was a refined, extremely religious, and well-educated lady.” – Mrs Robert E. Lee

“…I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” – Abigail Adams in a letter to her husband John Adams dated March 31, 1776.