Category: History Nuggets

President Franklin D Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill light the US National Christmas Tree in 1941

History Nuggets: FDR lights White House Christmas after declaring war

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“President Franklin D. Roosevelt (standing) and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (right) speak from the south portico of the White House while lighting the official tree on Christmas Eve, 1941.”  Imagine the heavy hearts and trepidation for the world at this time.

Although the war began with Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland in September 1939, the United States did not enter the war until after the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.  The United States declared war against Japan the next day, December 8, 1941.

Inspirational photo by White House Archives

 

Official 2016 White House Ornament - Fire Truck Pumper

History Nuggets: 1929 Christmas Eve Fire in the White House

Published on by Lucas Pam3 Comments

In 1929 a fire broke out on Christmas Eve in the White House during a party for staff and their children.   As flames licked the walls of West Wing offices, 130 firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. The next year, President Herbert Hoover sent toy fire trucks to some of his young guests.

The 2016  Official White House Christmas Ornament was a replica of the many “pumpers”that worked furiously from hydrants up to five blocks away from the White House to supply the water necessary to combat the flames.

Photo by the White House Historical Society

Vintage Christmas compliments of Pinterest. Table tree with candles lite and children playing around their toys and the tree.

History Nuggets: 1889 First White House Christmas Tree

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President Benjamin Harrison and his family introduced the first indoor White House Christmas tree in the upstairs oval room, the family’s private parlor.  The White House at this point lacked electrical power, so the family decorated their tree with candles…as many did.   The People’s House received electricity in 1891.

Benjamin Harrison, (1833 – 1901), 23rd President of the United States  and  the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, created the only grandfather-grandson duo to hold the office.

What was happening in 1889?…Eiffel Tower opens, commemorates French Revolution…Dakotas, Montana and Washington admitted to the union…Bayer introduces aspirin in powder form (Germany).

Inspiring photo by Pinterest

Photo of a child dragging a christmas tree compliments of Pinterest

History Nuggets: 1903 – Christmas tree smuggled inside the White House

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President Theodore Roosevelt and his wife hosted a carnival at the White House for more than 500 children. They served a favorite of many past presidents — ice cream molded into the shape of Santa Claus. President Roosevelt did not approve of chopping down evergreens, so he banned them from the White House. However, his son smuggled in a tree and hid it in the sewing closet.

Theodore Roosevelt, 1858 – 1919, the 26th president of the United States (1901–09).

Inspirational photo by Pinterest

A snowball glistening in the sun

History Nuggets: White House snowball fight

Published on by Lucas Pam8 Comments

Christmas in 1834 brought no snow to Washington, DC. However, that did not stop President Andrew Jackson from having a snowball fight inside the White House for his children and his friends children. The party was lively with dinner, games and singing…ending with throwing snowballs made of cotton on the ready for a friendly rumpus.

What was happening in 1834?…In August…Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire…In October…1st black to obtain a U.S. patent, Henry Blair, for a corn planter…In November… Delmonico’s, one of New York’s finest restaurants, provides a meal of soup, steak, coffee and half a pie for 12 cents.

Wooden barrels and wooden crates

History Nuggets: Mayflower Pilgrims and home brew

Published on by Lucas Pam4 Comments

Beer was key…beer was safer to drink than water especially aboard ship. So yes, the Mayflower Pilgrims carried their beer across the Atlantic…

William Bradford mentioned their need for beer when he recalled the day they set out for what would be known as Plymouth:

“So in the morning, after we had called on God for direction, we came to this resolution — to go presently ashore again and to take a better view of the two places which we thought most fitting for us; for we could not now take much time for further search or consideration, our *victuals being much spent, especially our **beer.”

Original source:  William Bradford’s daily journal.

*Victuals – provisions, food

**Out of beer, the Pilgrims were forced to live off water. Beer was viewed as a health drink. It was fairly low on alcohol and didn’t make one sick like the water from many streams and wells in Europe.  Cheers!

Inspirational photo by Pixabay

 

 

Pilgrim man and woman in black and white

History Nuggets: Colorful Pilgrims

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Pilgrim men did not wear black breeches, square white-collar and cuffs, wide buckled belts, black steeple hats with a buckle, nor did Pilgrim women wear full black skirts, white aprons and dark capes. Pilgrim adults and children wore bright solid colors since their religion did not object to colorful clothing.

The Pilgrims, in fact, wore a wide variety of colors. We know this because when a person died, an inventory stated their belongings  for the purpose of probate: and the color of garments often appeared.   For example, long-time church member, Mary Ring, died in Plymouth in 1633, and her estate included a “mingled-color” waistcoat, two violet waistcoats, three blue aprons, a red petticoat, a violet petticoat, blue stockings, and white stockings. In addition, she owned gray cloth, blue cloth and red cloth, ready to make additional clothing. Plymouth’s Church Elder William Brewster, who died in 1644, owned green pants, a red cap, a violet coat, and a blue suit. And Governor William Bradford, when he died in 1657, owned a green gown, violet cloak, and a red waistcoat.  Fascinating…

Inspirational photo by Pixabay

The Mayflower mast and crow's nest

History Nugget: Pilgrim Babies

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Oceanus Hopkins (1620— c. 1626) was the only child born on the Mayflower during its historic voyage which brought the English Pilgrims to America. A boy, Peregrine White, was born on board, after arriving in America, as the ship lay at anchor.  Thanks be to God.

Inspirational photo by Pixabay

 

Oil painting of the First Thanksgiving with a dog enjoying the celebration

Brodie barks about dogs at the First Thanksgiving

Published on by Lucas Pam2 Comments

We’re beginning to get ready for our Thanksgiving celebration.  Lots to do for humans and tons of things for a golden dog like me to watch while they do it.  The deliciously different smells in the kitchen…the unusual movements…the special serving pieces that make different noises when placed on the table…the real wax candles that smell of spices…the gaiety in the air and the smiles…it’s starting.

Makes my golden mind wonder about those two dogs… an English Mastiff and a Springer Spaniel…that some historians say crossed over the Atlantic in 1620 on The Mayflower and according to journals…attended the first feast shared by the new settlers and the Wampanoag tribe.

So, as we prepare for giving thanks and being grateful, I’m feeling humbled by the sacrifices these people made and the tradition that came as a result of their persistent fortitude.  Watch and listen…

A covered walkway at The University of Virginia

Haiku: Steps

Published on by Lucas Pam4 Comments

Walk in the foot prints
Know the past through your own steps
Walk through history

Haiku by PamelaWLucas 10/5/17

Inspirational photo taken by Ashley Morgan Lucas at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 9/30/17

The University of Virginia will celebrate its bicentennial of the laying of its cornerstone on October 6, 1817, in a Masonic ritual attended by current and former Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe.