James Buchanan shuffled off this mortal coil on June 1, 1868 (156 years ago on this day.) Buchanan regularly ranks among the worst of the Presidents ratings done by historians and scholars, usually finishing in last place. He is criticized for his weak and ineffective response to the coming of the secessionist crisis, his obsequiousness to the ( Read more... )

In 2022, the movie Amsterdam opened in movie theaters. It was loosely based on an alleged plot that is said to have occurred in 1933, which became known as the Business Plot. The hero of the story of the real life plot was also a military hero and an interesting historical figure with the unusual name of General Smedley Darlington Butler. (Robert ( Read more... )

On March 2, 2012 author Seth Graeme-Smith released his fantasy novel entitled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was part of a series of novels (called Quirk Classics) in which the author transformed either classical literature or historical characters, injecting an element of monsters into the story. For example, another title by this author was ( Read more... )

[This article was recently posted on January 2nd of this year as part of another series. It is reposted because of its relevance to our current series on the Great Depression.]

In 2022, the movie Amsterdam was loosely based on an alleged plot that is said to have occurred in 1933, which became known as the Business Plot. The hero of the story of ( Read more... )

In May and June of 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (who later became colloquially known as "the Queen Mum") toured Canada and the United States, in an effort to lobby US support for the allied cause in what was certain to soon be a war with Germany. This was the first visit of a reigning British monarch to North America, although before ( Read more... )

(Originally posted on May 9, 2018 as part of a series entitled Movie and TV Presidents.)

The 2010 HBO movie The Special Relationship has Dennis Quaid demonstrating his great range as an actor in his portrayal of President Bill Clinton, portrayed in the movie at a time when the Lewinsky scandal is unfolding. The movie showcases Michael Sheen ( Read more... )

Maria Luisa Caterina Cecilia Cosway was an Italian-English artist and educator. Born Maria Hadfield, she had studied art under Violante Cerroti and Johann Zoffany if Florence and from 1773 to 1778, she copied Old Masters at the Uffizi Gallery. She was talented enought to be elected to the Academia del Disegno in Florence in 1778. She also went to ( Read more... )

Originally posted on April 5, 2013 as part of a series about portrayals of Presidents in movies and television shows entitled The Presidents in Movies.

Path to War is a 2002 HBO movie about President Lyndon Johnson and his trials and tribulations as the Vietnam War became out of control on his watch. The movie starred the prominent British actor ( Read more... )

In May and June of 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (who later became colloquially known as "the Queen Mum") toured Canada and the United States, in an effort to lobby US support for the allied cause in what was certain to soon be a war with Germany. This was the first visit of a reigning British monarch to North America, although before ( Read more... )

As a member of the Continental Congress representing his home state of Virginia, thirty-three year old Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. After Jefferson left Congress in 1776, he returned to Virginia and served in the legislature. He was elected as his state's governor from 1779 to 1781. Jefferson was the ( Read more... )