Entries by Our Lost Founding

Letters, Life, and Liberty

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson first met at the 1775 Continental Congress in Philadelphia. They became close friends despite the “different conclusions we had drawn from our political reading,” as Jefferson put it. In fact, they worked together on the “Committee of Five” to draft the Declaration of Independence. The two founders maintained their friendship until Jefferson became president in 1801. Outgoing President Adams, hoping to ease the transition of power, made political appointments consisting of […]

November 9, 2018 /0 Comments/by

Lost Lincoln and Kennedy Link

On this day in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln is elected to a second term. Also on this day, in 1960, John F. Kennedy is elected president. Of course, with the Civil War and the Cold War respectively, both presidents faced significant challenges. Sadly, both presidencies ended in assassination, and the list of supposed links between the two is legendary. As we look back on revered presidents like Lincoln and Kennedy, we see that Americans tend to triumph […]

November 8, 2018 /0 Comments/by

Abraham Lincoln elected President, and adjusting to our “present difficulty”

On this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States. Thus, he became the first Republican to win the presidency. “The best way” The following is a timely and timeless quote from his first inaugural address, the following March: “Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty. […]

November 6, 2018 /0 Comments/by

Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd: Love is Eternal

On this day in 1842, during their second engagement, Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Anne Todd at her sister’s home in Springfield, Illinois. Episcopal minister Reverend Charles N. Dresser officiated their marriage ceremony. Mary’s gold wedding ring was inscribed with the words “A.L. to Mary, Nov. 4, 1842. Love is eternal.” Although, the rainy day seemed to capture the storminess of their courtship and marriage. Please continue reading below the family portrait. First, the Lincolns were […]

November 4, 2018 /0 Comments/by

President James K. Polk: High Duties and humility

On this day in 1795, James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, is born in Pineville, NC. During Polk’s  presidency, America’s territory grew substantially and reached the west coast of the continent. Polk also kept his promise to be a one-term president and did not run for reelection. High duties Here are the closing paragraphs of his inaugural address: “Although in our country the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by […]

November 2, 2018 /0 Comments/by
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Martin Luther King Jr. recognized with Federal Holiday

On this day in 1983, President Ronald Reagan signs the bill designating a federal holiday to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January, close to his birthday on the fifteenth. Let Freedom Ring Next, what follows are several excerpts from President Reagan’s Remarks on Signing the Bill: “Dr. King had awakened… a sense that true justice must be colorblind, and that among white and black Americans, as he put it, […]

November 2, 2018 /0 Comments/by

The State of Nevada : Battle Born, All for Our Country

On this day in 1864, the United States Congress admits “Battle Born” Nevada as the 36th state in the Union. Notice the timing toward the end of the Civil War: statehood was indeed ‘battle born.’ Additionally, “Battle Born” is one of the state’s mottos, and it appears on the state flag. By strategically appointing territorial officials, President Abraham Lincoln had put in place the support he needed for reelection. This also helped secure votes for […]

October 31, 2018 /0 Comments/by

John Adams and John Jay

On this day in 1779, the Continental Congress appoints John Adams to lead the negotiation of peace and commerce treaties with Great Britain. He was eventually joined by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay. Speaking of Jay, it was also on this day in 1779 that he is appointed minister to Spain in order to gain support for the American Revolution and the recognition of American independence. Both were part of the Commission that […]

September 27, 2018 /0 Comments/by

Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation

On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issues presidential order number 95. It was his preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, setting a date of January 1, 1863 for the freedom of more than 3 million slaves. “Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of […]

September 22, 2018 /1 Comment/by

Bombingham, and “a beautiful, beautiful thing for all generations…”

On this day in 1963, a bomb made of fifteen sticks of dynamite is planted in the basement of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. It explodes during Sunday morning services, killing four young girls. Their names were Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins (all 14 years old), and Denise McNair (11). Birmingham endured three church bombings in the eleven days since a federal order to integrate Alabama’s school system. As a result, the city […]

September 15, 2018 /0 Comments/by

Abigail: “in a state immutable and happy”

Two years ago today, I learned that God took our daughter Abigail Home to be with Him. This is the post I wrote the following day, while at the hospital awaiting her delivery: On Sunday, September 16th, 1775, Abigail Adams writes a letter to her husband, Founding Father, and future President John Adams. She makes her trust in God perfectly clear, and gives “thanks… to that Being who restraineth the pestilence,” even while living with the “daily […]

August 15, 2018 /0 Comments/by