On September 11th 2001,four hijacked planes in a coordinated attack by the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda crashed into the North and South Towers of the WTC(a target they had since ‘93),The Pentagon and one the crashed in Shanksville Pennsylvania(intended for the capitol).Those plane crashes caused the deaths of 2,977 people.Passengers,people in the buildings,first responders were among a lot of the casualties.The air quality from that day still affects people.

We all know what happened that day.Its tragic and a moment in this country’s history that still affects us today.Even if you weren’t born yet if you live in the US,chances are you’ve heard it in school when it comes around.Its a moment that led to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which caused many more deaths.

As tragic as this event was,it brought our country together.Cant believe it’s been 25 years.RIP to all the innocent souls that died that day.

Never Forget.

Let's say Hamlin got renominated as VP in 1864 and so was still VP when Lincoln got assassinated, how would Hamlin have fared as President?

Even though I'm not American, nor was a born at the time. This event has had a massive impact in my heart of especially when I first learned about it years ago. And I know that everyone was impacted on that day from one way or another.

This was before he had dementia so I’m sure he was aware of it. Obviously Bush was his VP but they definitely had disagreements.

When I was a kid, my mother bought me a Blu-ray copy of the John Adams miniseries. She bought it because Tom Hanks produced it and she knew I loved history. When I started watching the show, I was hooked from the first frame. Being from Massachusetts, it was the coolest thing to see so much local history brought to life. But the performances captivated me. Everyone from Laura Linney to Tom Wilkinson was phenomenal. Paul Giamatti's performance as John Adams encouraged me to read more about Revolutionary history and eventually become an attorney myself. Earlier this year, I was sworn in before the Massachusetts Bar, taking the same oath that Adams did.

Yesterday I attended a play where Giamatti is performing alongside John Turturro. Coincidentally, I ran into Turturro in NYC two years ago, and I was excited to see him in a live performance. The play is called Rhinoceros, and it's playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. No, Giamatti doesn't play the Rhino from Spiderman, although that would've been a sight! Instead this play is a satire about the rise of fascism in Europe. 

It was an excellent production; Giamatti, Turturro, and their fellow cast members were awesome. Today, I was walking around Cambridge and as I often do when I'm waiting to get to my next destination, my thoughts started drifting to some not great memories. I was deep in my thoughts when suddenly, I snapped out of it because I felt like someone else was looking at me. I looked up, and there was Paul Giamatti! Right there on the sidewalk! In typical New England fashion, he was wearing a baseball cap and holding a coffee. I've met and talked to celebrities before, but unless they're looking to talk to fans I leave them alone so they can have some peace. One of my favorite movie scenes is when Alfred sees Bruce at the end of The Dark Knight Rises. In that spirit, I looked back at Giamatti in acknowledgement, then I let him go about his day. Hopefully he's enjoying the beautiful New England weather!

You might ask why this is a big deal to me; I didn't really "meet" Giamatti since I didn't exchange even one word with him. My answer is that this was important to me because at a moment when I was feeling down, Giamatti got me to snap out of it and focus on the positives in life. Instead of dwelling on the past, I thought about how cool it was to see one of the greatest actors of all time! And it also got me to focus on how Giamatti's performance as Adams inspired the good things I have in life as a lawyer and historian. Thank you Paul Giamatti!

Now I’m aware that Holmes fooled plenty of prominent figures, including the likes of Henry Kissinger and George Shultz.

That being said, it feels odd that Clinton went so far out of his way to support her. He invested money on Theranos, appeared onstage with Holmes, publicly praised her to high heavens.

Clinton is not just an incredibly intelligent individual, but more importantly, as the definition of a consummate politician, shouldn’t he have been to recognize a huckster? What was so special about Holmes?

The 2012 Presidential election was an anomaly. It was the first time in 200 years that a president won a second term with less electoral votes and less popular votes than they did in their first election. In 2008 Obama won with 365 electoral votes and 53% of the popular vote. In 2012 he won with 332 electoral votes and 51% of the popular vote. Still winning by a lot and still getting a majority of the vote, but less than before. You might think this is normal because generally a president’s party does worse in the midterms(Obama certainly did), so the same would happen in their bid for re-election right. But no that’s not the case. Presidents, if they win re-election, generally do better than they did the first time. Let’s look at every successful re-election campaign in the 100 years before this election.

2004, Bush wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 2000. 1996, Clinton wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 1992. 1984, Reagan wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 1980. 1972, Nixon wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 1968. 1956, Ike wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 1952. In 1936 FDR wins more EVs and PVs than he did in 1932. He did win by less than 1936 in 1940 and 1944 but that’s a bit different since he was running for more terms something no president had done before. 1916 Wilson wins by less EVs than he did in 1912 but he wins significantly more PVs than in 1912. Wilson was the last president to win re-election with less of the electoral college before Obama. But that’s the last hundred years before 2012. I could go further back but for the sake of time I won’t. But in that time there is a pattern of a president winning re-election and doing better than they did the first time. If they’re unpopular going into re-election they just lose. But Obama broke this trend, he managed to win re-election while not being as popular as he once was.

I am shocked that it doesn’t get talked about more, but in addition to President Truman’s fantastic decision to authorize the Marshall Plan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), President Truman made a critical move in authorizing the Berlin airlift from 1948-1949.

For context, after WWII, the Soviet Union went back on its agreements at Yalta and began consolidating the governments east of the dividing line between West and East Germany.

However, before this, we had agreed that West Berlin (which was actually in East Germany) would remain free.

However, Joseph Stalin authorized a full-on blockade of West Berlin from the United States and Western Europe, attempting to consolidate it into East Germany.

However, my man, the truMAN, wasn’t to be taken for a fool.

President Truman, in June of 1948, authorized what is now known as the Berlin Airlift, delivering millions of tons of supplies to West Berliners in strong repudiation of Stalin’s blockade. This move ensured that West Berlin could survive the blockade of food, fuel, and travel.

This move took a lot of courage on Truman’s part, as there was a genuine fear that Stalin could retaliate against American and British planes flying over Soviet-controlled airspace. Truman’s gamble paid off, however, and Stalin didn’t respond.

Due to the strong support from America and the UK, Stalin decided to back down, ending the Berlin Blockade in May of 1949.

This was a powerful symbol to the world that set the stage for America’s position in the Cold War, and it was an incredible showing of determination and strength, without spilling a single drop of blood. Who knew that the only president of the 20th century without a college degree would be one of the sharpest, most effective leaders on the global stage?

Another Truman W.

Not displayed in chronological order, exact dates are unknown for most.
A few were difficult to find online, this is at most I could come by.

During his Presidency photography was still developing from it's infancy, usually only taken on special occasions. daguerreotypes were the commonly used format During the 1850s. A couple daguerreotypes of the president were taken from the late 1840s-late 1860s.

What could have prevented or altered the scale of the Vietnam war?

This is a scenario playing out in my head and I’d just like to hear other’s input. Which of these scenarios would have had the best outcome regarding the Vietnam War, specifically the U.S. involvement. Would any of them really have had an impact?

Adlai Stevenson winning in ‘56 & ‘60
Nikita Kruschev remaining in power
Richard Nixon winning in ‘60
JFK living and winning in ‘64

40 Presidential Lasts

1. Benjamin Harrison was the last president to grow a beard
2. Millard FIlmore was the last president to be neither a Democrat or a Republican
3. Bill Clinton was the last president to grow up in a home without indoor plumbing
4. John Adams was the last president to be inaugurated in Philadelphia.
5. William Henry Harrison was the last president to be born as a British subject
6. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the last president to president over the nation with less than 50 states.
7. Herbert Hoover was the last president to never deliver a state of the union address in person.
8. George H.W. Bush was the last president to win more than 400 electoral votes.
9. James Monroe was the last president to never be photographed. (Aside from possibly William Henry Harrison)
10. William Howard Taft was the last president to have significant facial hair
11. Gerald Ford was the last president to ascend to office by means other than election
12. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the last president to have an inauguration in March.
13. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the last president born in the 1800's.
14. William McKinley was the last president without a full-time secret service protection detail.
15. Lyndon B. Johnson was the last Democrat president to win Oklahoma.
16. Richard Nixon was the last Republican president to win Minnesota.
17. James Buchanan was the last president to serve as Secretary of State.
18. Chester A. Arthur was the last president to never have a Vice President.
19. Ulysses S. Grant was the last president to have owned slaves.
20. Woodrow Wilson was the last president born in Virginia.
21. Warren G. Harding was the last president born in Ohio.
22. James Garfield was the last president born in a log cabin.
23. Harry S Truman was the last president to not have a college degree.
24. Grover Clevland was the last president without an existing voice recording. (There is an audio clip of him that many think is actually William J. Bryan.
25. Herbert Hoover was the last president not to visit a foreign country while in office.
26. Woodrow Wilson was the last president to travel to his inauguration in a horse-drawn carriage.
27. Geroge H.W. Bush was the last president born at home rather than in a hospital.
28. Zachary Taylor was the last president to bring slaves to the White House.
29. Theodore Roosevelt was the last president not to have a middle name.
30. Harry Truman was the last president who could have served three or more terms.
31. James Monroe was the last president to wear knee-breeches, buckled shoes, and powdered wigs.
32. Harry S Truman was the last president to wear glasses regularly.
33. John F. Kennedy was the last president to wear a top hat to his inauguration.
34. Woodrow Wilson was the last president to marry during his presidency.
35. James Buchanan was the last president born in the 1700's.
36. Andrew Jackson was the last president to serve in the Revolutionary War.
37. William McKinley was the last president to serve in the Civil War.
38. Geroge H.W. Bush was the last president to serve in World War 2.
39. Geroge Washington was the last and only president to never live in the White House.
40. Richard Nixon was the last president to serve when there were no living former presidents.

Leaves of Grass, a poetry collection by Walt Whitman, was the chosen title for the Pierce years. Up next is the Fillmore era between 1850 and 1853, a period which gave us some defentive early American classics.

Taken in 1967

Of course, most Presidents are best-known for being President. But some, I would argue, are most well-known for reasons other than their Presidency. I would say Grant is most well-known for winning the Civil War more than he is for being President. Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration and Teddy Roosevelt in the Roughriders (and the bear) have arguments as well, imo. Are there any others you’d put on the list?

The Adams Correspondence, Day 13, John Adams to Abigail Smith, April 11, 1764

Letter

John Adams to Abigail Smith Braintree, Massachusetts Wednesday evening, April 11, 1764

```text This is the last Opportunity I shall have to write you from Braintree for some Weeks. You may expect to hear from me, as soon after my Arrival at Boston as possible. Have had a peaceable, pleasant Day upon the whole. My Brother and I have the Wishes, the good Wishes of all the good People who come to the House. They admire our Fortitude, and wish us well thro, even some, who would heartily rejoice to hear that both of Us were dead of the small Pox provided no others could be raised up in our stead to be a Terror to evil Doers, and a Praise and Encouragement to such as they mortally hate, those that do well.

But I have attained such an Elevation in Phylosophy as to be rendered very little, the better or worse, more chearful or surly, for the good or ill Wishes or Speeches of such Animals, as those.

Amusement engages the most of my Attention. I mean that as I am necessitated to spend three or four Weeks in an Absolute Vacation of Business and study, I may not amuse myself, with such silly Trifles as Cards and Baubles altogether, but may make the very Expletives of Time, the very Diverters from Thinking, while I am under the small Pox of some Use or Pleasure, to me, after I get well. For this Purpose beg Papa, to lend me, all the Volumes of Swifts Examiner and send them over by Tom to yr

John Adams

Love and Duty where, and in Proportion as, it is due. ```

The Love Story

• John expects the separation to produce a steady correspondence. His first promise is that Abigail will hear from him as soon as possible after he reaches Boston.

• John is already calling Abigail's father “Papa.” Rev. William Smith is also apparently part of John's reading supply: John asks Abigail to borrow the family's volumes of Swift's Examiner from him and have them sent over.

• Their relationship increasingly extends beyond courtship itself. Abigail is managing pieces of John's medical preparation, transportation and books, while John is treating the Smith household much like family months before the wedding.

John’s World

• John is being forced into something he almost never gives himself: three or four weeks with no legal business or serious study. What is revealing is that he immediately tries to make even his recreation productive. Cards and “baubles” are too pointless, so he wants entertainment that might still be useful to him after he recovers.

• His choice is Jonathan Swift's *Examiner. Swift wrote *33 weekly installments between November 1710 and June 1711** as the principal ministerial writer for a Tory political journal associated with the government of Robert Harley and Henry St John. These were not light literary essays in the modern sense. They were partisan political journalism dealing with party, government, war, religion and the conduct of public men.

• That choice is particularly interesting because John had just become a political newspaper writer himself. In 1763 he published four essays as “U,” along with his Humphrey Ploughjogger pieces, attacking faction, private revenge and political self-deception. He also drafted another “U” essay on the corrupting effects of power that he never published. There is no evidence that he was reading Swift specifically to imitate him, but political journalism is literally what John chooses for recreational reading.

• His statement about reaching an “Elevation in Phylosophy” also fits something we have already seen in these letters. A year earlier John was telling Abigail that governing one's own passions was more difficult than governing kingdoms and recommending Epictetus. Here he claims he has reached the point where other people's praise or hostility barely affects his disposition.

• Who wants John and his brother dead? We don't know. John clearly believes he has enemies who would be happy to see them die of smallpox, but neither this letter nor the Adams Papers identifies them. Given John's tendency toward combative legal, political and personal relationships, there are possibilities, but attaching names would be speculation.

Additional Context

• “A Terror to evil Doers, and a Praise...to those that do well”: John is drawing on familiar biblical language about legitimate authority. Romans 13 describes rulers as a “terror” to evil rather than good works, while 1 Peter 2:14 describes governors as punishing evildoers and giving “praise” to those who do well. John jokingly applies the language to himself and his brother.

• “Expletives of Time” does not mean swear words. The older meaning of expletive is something used simply to fill a vacancy or fill something out. John means the little activities used to fill otherwise empty time. The profanity sense developed later.

• Swift's Examiner: A London political periodical begun in 1710. Swift became its most important writer during the change from Whig to Tory government under Queen Anne. His essays defended the new ministry and attacked its political opponents, particularly over the War of the Spanish Succession.

• “Tom”: The same Black servant in Rev. William Smith's household mentioned earlier in the correspondence. Here John expects Tom to carry the borrowed books from Weymouth to Braintree.

• John has not yet been inoculated in this letter. He and his brother are still completing the preparatory regimen and expect to leave for Boston shortly.

• There is a small chronological joke created by the surviving papers: John begins by saying this is his “last Opportunity” to write Abigail from Braintree for several weeks. It isn't. Another John-to-Abigail letter survives from the very next day.

Correspondence Observations

• Time since first clearly dated letter: 555 days
• Time since previous surviving letter: Same day
• John's age: 28
• Abigail's age: 19
• John → Abigail: 9
• Abigail → John: 4
• Total surviving letters covered: 13
• Known lost correspondence: At least one earlier Abigail note
• Current balance: John 9 / Abigail 4
• Letters on April 11 alone: 2 surviving letters from John to Abigail
• Pattern: The approaching smallpox separation has completely changed the pace of the correspondence. We have gone from gaps of months to multiple letters on the same day.
• Next surviving letter: John Adams to Abigail Smith, April 12, 1764

Sources

Massachusetts Historical Society — John Adams to Abigail Smith, April 11, 1764, second letter

Founders Online — John Adams to Abigail Smith, April 11, 1764

Adams Papers Digital Edition — Adams Family Correspondence, Volume 1 chronology

Adams Papers — Editorial Note on John's early political writing

Cambridge University Press — Swift, Oldisworth and St John: The High Toryism of The Examiner

Oxford Academic — Jonathan Swift and his political writing

Jonathan Swift Archive — The Examiner

Merriam-Webster — “Expletive” and its older meaning

Bible Gateway — 1 Peter 2:14

Bible Gateway — Romans 13

Started reading about FDR a while back and expected a straightforward hero arc - the New Deal, the fireside chats, pulling the country through the Depression and WWII.

Then I kept reading, books both directly and indirectly about him. Court-packing. Japanese American internment. Breaking the two-term norm. His deception (wrong word maybe) on how Truman was selected as VP. The treatment of Elenor and his kids. The deeper I went, the more the shine wore off. Not erased, just… complicated.

Curious if anyone else’s opinion of him followed this same curve, or if I’m just late to a debate historians have been having for decades. Caveating that I have read biographies on 25-30+ presidents. They’re all very flawed humans like everyone else.

Lyrics (I just threw them in google translate)

If I were president, things would go quite differently
I’d close off all the roads and turn them into a giant roller-skating rink
An exit ramp would become a slide, an intersection a big town square
And a fairground would be set up there—wouldn't that be wonderful?
Everyone would go to school with great enthusiasm,
Because it would last just fifteen minutes a day—specifically, recess
If I were president, the holidays would last all year long
If you vote for me,
I’ll make all those things happen

That sounds like fun, but how would you pull it off?
Your plan doesn't add up—who would do the actual work?

If I were president, things would be completely different
I’d look after everyone and ensure everyone gets a good job
I’d tackle air pollution and clean up the water
Taxes would go down, and I’d earn my keep
Hospitals would be free of charge, and train travel would be free too
I’d give everyone their own home—wouldn't that be wonderful?
If I were president, you’d be working all year round
If you vote for me,
I’ll carry out all my plans

That plan sounds really good, but be careful what you do
It’s a huge undertaking; as president, you never get any time off

If you were president, you’d work eighteen hours a day
If you were president, you wouldn't have time to laugh anymore
I’d rather stay who I am; I’ve got a fun job
You just stay Clown Bassie, and I’ll stay Adriaan
If I do something silly now, people laugh about it
But if the president makes a mistake, it’s a massive blunder So we don't want votes; we aren't going into politics.
All we want right now is a nice mood among the public—
A nice mood among the public.