Archive for November, 2007
« Previous EntriesLincoln Tomb “Going Green”
Friday, November 30th, 2007The State Journal-Register in Springfield is reporting that the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site is “going green.” No, poor upkeep is not to blame. The change is part of the state’s “new energy-efficient, ‘green guidelines,’” for construction projects. The historic site’s heating and air-conditioning systems will receive a fascinating upgrade, which relies on geothermal energy. [...]
New Opinion Piece on the Alleged "Lincoln at Gettysburg" Photo
Thursday, November 29th, 2007You may recall that I recently weighed-in on the newly discovered photo of “Lincoln” at Gettysburg. Since that time, I have not seen anything to dim my initial skepticism. Nevertheless, I want to call your attention to an opinion piece that appeared yesterday in the New York Times. Verlyn Klinkenborg accepts that the man in [...]
More Speculation on Lincoln’s Genetic Defect
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007Yesterday’s story about Abraham Lincoln and the rare genetic defect, Men 2B, is alive and well. The story has been picked up in newspapers across the country and around the world. The Seattle Times simply reprinted the original Washington Post story, as did the Contra Coast TImes in Walut Creek, California, but the story was [...]
A Doctor Speculates on Lincoln’s Genetic Defect
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007Move over Marfan’s Syndrome and make way for MEN 2B, short for “multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B.” That’s right. Dr. John G. Sotos, a California doctor and an armchair historian to boot, has just announced that Lincoln suffered from one of the rarest genetic abnormalities known to man. Let me be clear with this one. [...]
“Ain’t I a Woman?”
Monday, November 26th, 2007Isabella Baumfree was born a slave in New York around 1797. Before she turned ten, her owner sold her. Two years later, she was sold again. Eighteen months later, she was sold yet again. And then she escaped. “I did not run off, for I thought that wicked,” she later said, “but I walked off, [...]
The Controversial Bixby Letter
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007If you’ve seen Saving Private Ryan, then you’re familiar with one of the most famous condolence letters in American history. On this day in 1864, a letter was sent from the White House to Lydia Bixby of Boston: Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov. 21, 1864. Dear Madam,—I have been shown in the files of the War [...]
“These Political Fiends are Not Half Sick Yet”
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007The president-elect did not want to issue a public statement. What was left to say? He won a free and fair election. His speeches, as well as the Republican Party platform were already in circulation. If the secessionists were not willing to abide by the results of the election, they would hardly be willing to [...]
A New Image of Lincoln at Gettysburg?
Monday, November 19th, 2007Abraham Lincoln did not leave Washington very often, but on this day in 1863, the president was in a small town in Pennsylvania. He accepted an invitation to speak at the new Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Though his speech lasted less than two minutes, the Gettysburg Address remains the most significant speech in American [...]
“I Am Not at Liberty to Shift My Ground”
Friday, November 16th, 2007The advice kept on coming. Well-meaning individuals wanted the president-elect to issue some sort of a statement to the South. The editor of the Missouri Republican begged Lincoln to gather some of his speeches together and have them published in the New York Tribune and the Chicago Tribune. He hoped the speeches would “put you [...]
An Astonishing Legal Document
Thursday, November 15th, 2007I’ve never heard this story before and I’m hoping someone out there can give me some help. On February 6, 2006, Heritage Auction Galleries sold an astonishing legal document. No, Abraham Lincoln’s name does not appear on the document, nor did he write a word of it. In fact, he had nothing to do with [...]
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