Mark Loves History

Today in History, January 16, 1861: “The Crittenden Compromise”. Senator John J. Crittenden, former Kentucky Governor, US Representative, and US Attorney General, had put forth the Crittenden Compromise in a last ditch effort to prevent Civil War. The nation had been arguing over the abomination of slavery since it’s inception; and “compromise” had been made before, with the Missouri…

Sail on, O Ship of State! In the midst of foreign wars in 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt won a third term as US President. It had been a hard fought campaign.  Learning that the loser in the campaign, Wendell Wilkie, was headed to London to gain info on the war, FDR invited him to the White House. They chatted amicably, and FDR asked the Republican to deliver a handwritten note to Prime…

Today in History, October 27, 1964: While campaigning for Barry Goldwater to be president, actor Ronald Reagan gave a speech entitled “A Time for Choosing” which would come to define the American conservative movement for years to come. Reagan’s inspiring words would also show him to be the “Great Communicator” and launch him into the California governor’s office and eventually the…