Today in American history…First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, was born on July 28, 1929 in Southampton, New York.

“Even though people may be well known, they hold in their hearts the emotions of a simple person for the moments that are the most important of those we know on earth: birth, marriage and death.” – Jacqueline Kennedy

Today in American history…Mary Todd Lincoln passed away on July 16, 1882 in Springfield, Illinois. She passed away in her sister’s home – the same home in which she married the love of her life, Abraham Lincoln, on November 4, 1842.

She was most likely the most maligned and misunderstood First Lady in U.S. history.

She was the First Lady during the Civil War and was continually falsely accused of being a traitor being that she was originally from the Southern state of Kentucky and had family that were fighting for the Confederacy. Her allegiance to the United States was always in question for those who disliked her.

She also suffered from mental illness which only increased after the horrible death of her husband. She suffered the loss of her three children at early ages and her only surviving child, Robert, had her institutionalized in her later years.

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…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)

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…President William Henry Harrison’s inauguration was held on March 4, 1841 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. He still holds the record for giving the longest inauguration speech of 8,445 words. Unfortunately he was also the first President to pass away in office on April 4, 1841 which made his term the shortest in American history.

Also today, President George Washington’s second inauguration was held on March 4, 1793 at Congress Hall in Philadelphia. His inauguration speech remains the shortest on record.

Today in American history…future President Ronald Reagan married Nancy Davis in Los Angeles on March 4, 1952.

“When I say my life began with Ronnie, well, it’s true. It did. I can’t imagine life without him.” – Nancy Reagan

“The nicest thing a girl ever did for me was when a girl named Nancy married me and brought a warmth and joy to my life that has grown with each passing year.” – Ronald Reagan

Today in American history…President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States of America on March 3, 1931.

Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” on September 14, 1814 after he personally witnessed the massive overnight British assault of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812 and he observed in awe that Fort McHenry’s flag survived the massive assault by the British.

Today is National Old Stuff Day. Here is a picture of my grandparents, Mario and Mary Marini, on their wedding day on February 22, 1930.

And here I am wearing my grandmothers wedding dress in 2021. I am so lucky to have been given this special gift to me by my beloved mother.

Do you have special family heirlooms and relics? I believe it’s so special to have these.