These two people were not famous political leaders and didn’t do much to make their marks in history books…but to me…they are two of the most important and influential people in my life: My grandparents.

Today in history…Mario and Mary Marini were married in 1930 in a small town in Pennsylvania. My grandmother was born in the US to Italian/Austrian immigrants and my Grandfather was born in a small town near Florence in Italy. He stowed away to America (illegally!) as a young boy on a ship because he believed America was the land of bountiful opportunities. My grandparents met in a Speak-Easy and my great-grandfather was not thrilled with his daughters adoration for this tough Italian immigrant with gold teeth and tattoos. They fell in love, got married and well…the rest is history.

Here they are on their wedding day 90 years ago. Young and blissfully in love.

Happy anniversary Grandma and Grandpa! Much love to you in heaven.

Today in American History…the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment on January 31, 1865 to abolish slavery in the United States.

Today in American History…Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in 1882

Four years ago, on a wet snowy day, I decided to do what I loved – write about American History.

As a child, I was always fascinated by the stories of our founding fathers and mothers.

Growing up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, I discovered that there was so much history to be discovered. Spent many field trips at Mount Vernon, Bull Run and Robert E Lee’s House (aka The Custis Mansion) and being that we lived near Arlington National Cemetery – it was literally my playground. I spent many hours as a child walking through the graves studying the soldiers names and wanting to know each and every life story of the soldiers. I felt a kinship in a strange sort of way.

As a mother, I would bring my children to all of the historic sites in our area and always encouraged my children the importance of American history – which thankfully instilled in them their love for American history to this very day.

I come from a long lineage of Americans on my fathers side in Vermont. My grandfather, when asked where he was from, would never say he was an American but always proudly say “I’m a Vermonter.”

My great-great grandfather, George Husband, proudly served in the 8th Vermont Regiment during the American Civil War. He was injured at Cold Harbor and lost a leg.

My grandfather, Mario Marini, an Italian immigrant who became a proud Nationalized citizen to his beloved America, fought in the Pacific during World War II.

From the beginning of my deciding to write this blog, I wanted to jut share my excitement and love of American history. And this is how The Historical Homemaker was born – in January 2016.

To honor our anniversary, we are doing a giveaway of one of my favorite books. It truly is one of the best books ever written of the Lincoln marriage (good and bad!) and I know that you will enjoy every detail of it.

All you have to do is go to our Facebook page and like and share. We will do the drawing at 5PM EST on Friday.

Thank you for your continued support of me throughout the years. It means the world to me!

Much love,

Coleen

Aka your Historical Homemaker

We will never forget these courageous heroes

Julia Grant was born on January 26, 1826. Wife of our 18th President, President Ulysses S Grant. She loved her role as First Lady and enjoyed entertaining at The White House. She once said, “My life in the White House was like a bright and beautiful dream.”

Julia Grant was the first First Lady to write an autobiography for publication (The portrait was done by Matthew Brady, famed Civil War photographer)