history

history

The Christmas Eggnog Riot

The Christmas Eggnog Riot

, Matt Dilworth
In 1802, West Point Military Academy was founded, a pathetic joke of a military institution whose lax recruitment standards, negligible resources, and few teachers contributed little to the nation’s safety.  Then the War of 1812 happened, and losing the White House to the British convinced Congress that it would be prudent to train better officers and soldiers.  In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer was appointed as superintendent.  Thayer was a hero of the War of 1812 who had studied in France, and a man known for strict discipline in every sense of the word – both military and personal.  He quickly moved to change the character of the institution, and the character of the men who graduated. He created a stable four-year … Continued
A little dose of presidential trivia

A little dose of presidential trivia

, , , Library Resources
Election season is the best season, even more than pumpkin spice latte season, football season or spider season   Imagine raking leaves, drinking hot apple cider, munching on donuts and getting ready to participate in democracy – it’s one of the great American fall traditions.  Here are a handful of fun facts to take to the polls. Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms? In 1888, the unpopular Democratic president Grover Cleveland lost to his Republican challenger Benjamin Harrison (incidentally, Harrison was also the last president to wear a beard.)  The election proved contentious, with Harrison losing the popular vote but winning the electoral college. While Harrison was a decent speechmaker and had a firm grip on policy … Continued
It Takes More Than That to Kill the Bull Moose

It Takes More Than That to Kill the Bull Moose

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
In 1912, a former U.S. President, after being out of office for a term, became a Presidential candidate, and that candidate was shot by a would-be assassin at the outset of a campaign speech.  The former President was Theodore Roosevelt, nicknamed ‘the Bull Moose’, and he had been fighting a bitterly contested campaign.  He himself succeeded an assassinated President; when William McKinley was shot in 1901 Roosevelt had ascended to the Presidency, winning it again in his own right in 1904.  Retiring from public office, he was succeeded in 1908 by William Howard Taft, but over the years, Roosevelt had come to despise the man.  The feeling was mutual.  Roosevelt had come to Milwaukee on the evening of October 14th, … Continued
World of Almanacs

World of Almanacs

, , books, Library Resources
Curious about the weather this July? Want to learn more about astrological signs and planetary movements? Reach for an almanac and celebrate Read an Almanac Month! Almanacs are a treasure trove of information, meticulously compiled to provide readers with a broad spectrum of knowledge. While these books have existed in various forms since the dawn of astronomy, the first printed version appeared in Europe in 1457. From detailed weather forecasts and celestial events to practical advice and historical facts, almanacs offer a rich blend of information that has been invaluable for centuries. One of the most prominent features of an almanac is its weather forecasts. These forecasts, often presented for the entire year, offer insights into expected weather patterns, temperature … Continued
McClure’s Magazine and the birth of investigative journalism

McClure’s Magazine and the birth of investigative journalism

, , , Uncategorized
It’s 1893, and the United States is in the middle of an economic panic.  People are rushing to the banks, eager to take out all their money before it becomes worthless.  The national unemployment rate hovers near 18%, and hundreds of companies and banks go out of business.  Into this inauspicious moment, a new magazine eager to forge a new idea of American letters prints its first issue.  For thirteen years, the irrepressible Samuel S. McClure helmed an enormously talented staff whose work helped bring forth a new era of journalism. Samuel McClure (the middle name Sidney was added later) was born in Ireland on February 17, 1857.  His family became impoverished with the death of his father when he … Continued