Abraham Lincoln's Patent

Photo courtesy 123rf.com

Abraham Lincoln invented a floating dry dock, and had it patented.  For more information click here.  What did you learn today?

Beginnings: U.S.A. and C.S.A.

Map of Southern United States courtesy Gutenburg.org

On this day in 1789, George Washington and John Adams were elected first president and vice-president of the United States of America. 

Sixty-two years later, on this day in 1861 delegates from six Southern states met in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States of America.  Two weeks later, on February 18 the provisional Congress of the C.S.A. made Jefferson Davis provisional president.

For more information click here and click here.

Haunted White House

Photo courtesy CherylHarness.com

In addition to many former presidents, presidents' wives, a black cat, and a British soldier, probably the most widely reported spectre to haunt the White House is Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).  Many guests of the White House, including Queen Wihelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962), has reported seeing him in rooms or in the halls.

Not only have ghosts been reported just sitting or walking in the White House, some have been seen hard at work.  Abigail Adams (1880-1962), wife of John Adams (1735-1826), used to do her own laundry, and has been reported hanging her laundry in the East Room to dry just as she did during the time she lived in the White House.

For more information, see this topic on the websites of Suite101.com, Haunted-Places.com, and History.com.  Also see the book by Cheryl Harness, Ghosts of the White House (photo above).

Can You Recite the Aeneid By Heart In Latin?

Photo:  Public Domain

James Garfield (1831-1881), 20th president of the United States of America, was a great intellect.  In addition to his accomplishments both greater and lesser, he could recite the entire Aenid by heart in Latin!

For more information, see the interview with Candice Millard about her book, Destiny of the Republic.