Today in American history…The Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed by the U.S. Congress on September 24th and signed by President George Washington – which established the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court would serve as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until their death or retirement – which ever came first.

On September 24, 1789, President Washington nominated John Jay to preside as the Chief Justice. John Rutledge, William Cushing, John Blair, Robert Harrison and James Wilson were nominated to be Associate Justices.

On September 26, 1789, all six nominees were confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Pictured below is a portrait of John Jay, our very first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (picture credit: John Jay New York Historical Society)

Today in American history… Victoria Woodhull was born September 23, 1838 in Homer, Ohio.

Some interesting facts about Victoria Woodhull…

She was the first woman to run for the Presidency of the United States in 1872 as part of the Equal Opportunities Party – Frederick Douglass was her running mate!

She was very much a supporter and activist for women’s rights, labor reforms and believed that women should have the freedom to marry, divorce and to have children without the government interfering in their lives.

“They cannot roll back the rising tide of reform,” she often said. “The world moves.”

She was born into a dysfunctional family. Married young to an abusive husband and had two children – one who was born with lifelong health challenges. She divorced her first husband, married and divorced her second and finally married her last husband and resided in the UK until her death in 1927.

Other great accomplishments were along with her sister, they opened their own brokerage house – Woodhull, Claflin & Company – in 1870 and made a fortune at the New York Stock Exchange. The first woman to do this.

Also, On May 14, 1870, Victoria Woodhull used the money she and her sister had made from their brokerage to start a newspaper, Woodhull & Claflin’s Weekly, which published for the next six years. She was the first woman to own a weekly newspaper.

It goes to show what having guts and determination can do – an inspiring “rags to riches” story of how one woman, regardless of where she came from, wanted to and set out to change the world.

Today in American history…the US Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Today in American history…John F Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island on September 12, 1953.

The Waltons was a much beloved television series created by Earl Hamner, Jr about his family growing up in the depression era in the eastern slopes of the Shenandoah Mountains in rural Virginia.

It was a beautiful day to take a ride and visit The Waltons Museum, The Hamner Home and also John & Olivia’s Bed and Breakfast Inn located in the small scenic town of Schuyler, Virginia.

We first stopped at The Walton’s Museum and was so impressed by the wonderful items inside. Marlin is a HUGE fan of The Walton’s television show and was so excited when the wonderful staff allowed him to sit at the dining room/kitchen table.

Here are more pictures of the fabulous kitchen and dining area…

Here are some of the wonderful mementos along the walls in the museum

And here are some of John Boy Walton’s Bedroom…

The living room was so amazing. It’s as if we were stepping onto the set of the tv show.

Earl Hamner’s Camera Equipment

Grandma and Grandpa Walton with the old radio

Leaving the museum…

Visiting the Hamner Home. The family based on the tv show The Walton’s.

We then visited the wonderful John & Olivia’s Bed and Breakfast Inn

If you are ever in Schuyler, Virginia…I truly highly recommend visiting this quaint town tucked away in the Shenandoah mountains. Enjoy your visit partaking in all of the contributions of the Hamner family and the wonderful people in Schuyler. It was like stepping back in time for a brief few moments. A much needed respite from the business of our daily lives!

Today in American history…Thurgood Marshall becomes the first African American to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice on August 30,1967.

Today in American history…Martin Luther King gave his “I have a Dream Speech” on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963. To watch it in its entirety click here

Today in American history…Elizabeth Ann Seton was born on August 28, 1774 in New York. She would become the first American Catholic Saint in 1975 and was the founder of the Sisters of Charity.

Today in American history…Our 36th US President, Lyndon Johnson, was born on a farm near Stonewall, Texas.

Some of his lifetime accomplishments were:

***Elected to the US House of Representatives in 1937. His time in office was interrupted due to his service in WWII. He signed up for the Navy and won the Silver Star for bravery. Upon arriving home, he continued his service in the House until 1948 when he was elected and became a US Senator representing Texas.
***Became the US Senate’s Minority Leader in 1953.
***Became the US Senate’s Majority Leader in 1954.
***Selected and nominated as John F Kennedy’s Vice Presidential running mate in 1960.
***Became the US Vice President in 1961
***When President Kennedy died on November 22, 1963, President Johnson was sworn in as our Nation’s 36th US President.
***Officially elected to the Presidency by the American people in 1964.

As President, a few of his notable accomplishments were:

Created and pushed through legislation to create Medicare/Medicaid, Head Start, The Voting Rights Act and The Civil Rights Act.