iluvmichele
April 23rd, 2005, 6:30am
Watched a very interesting show on the History Channel last night called April 1865 ~ the month that changed America. Learned some very interesting things about our history that I didn't know. For example ~
1. Back in the 1860's, Washington DC was called Washington City.
2. Although Lee surrendered to Grant on April 7, 1865, the war didn't really end until May of 1865.
3. I learned how truly compassionate the following people really were; Robert E. Lee, William Tecumseh Sherman, Ambraham Lincoln.
4. What a scoundrel Jefferson Davis was.
5. That Lincoln planned to go back home to practice law after his second administration. (can you imagine? No fat $ speaking tours :laugh: )
6. When the founding fathers drafted the Constitution, they put in place a provision, in case a President died while in office. That provision called for the VP to assume the duties on a temporary basis, until a new President could be elected. When William Harrison died in office (after serving only a month) John Tyler, the VP decided he wanted no part of being a temporary President and strong armed the Congress into appointing him the President. When Lincoln was assasinated, VP Andrew Johnson, decided what was was good for the Tyler was good for him. He went to every member of Congress and had them sign a pledge that he would be the President.
7. Interestingly enough, Johnson was not Lincoln's VP during his first term, Hannibal Hamlin was (who??). The reason that Lincoln chose Johnson was that he was from a secession state; Tennesee and had been loyal to the North during the war. Lincoln knew that the war was coming to an end and he thought that by putting Johnson on his ticket (which he caught much grief for from his party; BTW Johnson was a Democrat; Lincoln a Republican (the 1st GOP prez), it would make it easier for Lincoln to implement his plan of bringing the South back into the Union. However, Johnson turned out to be a real hard ass concerning the South and he wanted revenge, not unity.
It is on again this morning at 11AM EST. If you can catch it (2 hours) it is really quite fascinating.
1. Back in the 1860's, Washington DC was called Washington City.
2. Although Lee surrendered to Grant on April 7, 1865, the war didn't really end until May of 1865.
3. I learned how truly compassionate the following people really were; Robert E. Lee, William Tecumseh Sherman, Ambraham Lincoln.
4. What a scoundrel Jefferson Davis was.
5. That Lincoln planned to go back home to practice law after his second administration. (can you imagine? No fat $ speaking tours :laugh: )
6. When the founding fathers drafted the Constitution, they put in place a provision, in case a President died while in office. That provision called for the VP to assume the duties on a temporary basis, until a new President could be elected. When William Harrison died in office (after serving only a month) John Tyler, the VP decided he wanted no part of being a temporary President and strong armed the Congress into appointing him the President. When Lincoln was assasinated, VP Andrew Johnson, decided what was was good for the Tyler was good for him. He went to every member of Congress and had them sign a pledge that he would be the President.
7. Interestingly enough, Johnson was not Lincoln's VP during his first term, Hannibal Hamlin was (who??). The reason that Lincoln chose Johnson was that he was from a secession state; Tennesee and had been loyal to the North during the war. Lincoln knew that the war was coming to an end and he thought that by putting Johnson on his ticket (which he caught much grief for from his party; BTW Johnson was a Democrat; Lincoln a Republican (the 1st GOP prez), it would make it easier for Lincoln to implement his plan of bringing the South back into the Union. However, Johnson turned out to be a real hard ass concerning the South and he wanted revenge, not unity.
It is on again this morning at 11AM EST. If you can catch it (2 hours) it is really quite fascinating.