The First U.S. Patent – By Daniel Sheridan
#OTD, July 31, 1790, the very first American patent, which George Washington signed, was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer. Abraham Lincoln believed that the invention of the printing press, the discovery of America, and the American patent system brought about the most significant advances in human civilization. The #Constitution provides for patent laws in Article 1, Section 8, which reads, “Congress shall have power to…promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…” [...]
The Story of Presidents’ Day – By Daniel Sheridan
"To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." These are the words of Henry Lee upon the death of our first President, George Washington. Americans throughout the 1800s, cherishing those words, unofficially and spontaneously celebrated the Father of their Country's birthday every February 22, his actual birthday. President Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1879, signed a law making the day an official holiday, and it became a national federal holiday in 1885, known simply as Washington's Birthday. The holiday has changed in two ways since President Hayes signed it [...]
The Land of Lincoln and the Thirteenth Amendment – by Daniel W. Sheridan
Listen Now! #OTD, January 31, 1865, Americans make amends as Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment, consistently applying the words of the Declaration of Independence, that “all men are created equal.” I was sharing with my daughter the story of the Thirteenth Amendment since my home state played a significant role in its passage. Illinois instructed its congressional delegation to vote for the Thirteenth Amendment, and President Abraham Lincoln signed it on February 1st. Then the amendment went to the States for ratification. The amendment reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party [...]
Ulysses S. Grant: Union General & 18th President “Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties”
American Minute with Bill Federer
What better way to celebrate SB150 than a cemetery tour!
Location: City Cemetery, 214 North Elm Street, South Bend, IN What better way to celebrate SB150 than a cemetery tour featuring key citizens of South Bend's past? "Have You Been to Historic South Bend City Cemetery?" is the launch event for this new self-guided heritage tour. This event is a first-ever tour of City Cemetery with reenactors portraying persons buried within City Cemetery. Meet Vice President Schuyler Colfax, Abraham Lincoln, town co-founder Lathrop Taylor, Pharrow Powell, Col. Norman Eddy, Pvt. John Auten, Patriots Peter Roof and Isaac Ross, just to name a few. This event will take place from 1:45 to 4 p.m., and will be [...]
History of Abraham Lincoln
Written by Tyler D. Age 14 Posted on April, 2012 Abraham Lincoln was an honest, courageous, and truthful man who served like a king. But even before becoming a man, he carried these values with him as a child. He made Thanksgiving an official holiday, needing a day for the North to be thankful for the victories they achieved. Ten nights before his assassination, Lincoln had a dream that was later proclaimed prophetical by his wife after his death on April 25, 1856. He was greatly grieved by the nation after his death as the people called him “Father Abraham†[...]