The Washington DC 100

 

Greatest Political Evil

Illustration of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and the committee of five.
John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and the committee of five present their draft of the Declaration of Independence on June 28, 1776.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson met at the 1775 Continental Congress in Philadelphia and became close friends. They survived disagreements on many subjects, but on one they were aligned:

Adams once wrote: “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”

Jefferson wrote: “If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”

– Chris Schroder, The Atlanta 100

 

This Women’s History Month, Thank A Woman Who Left Her Imprint On You

With the woman who left her imprint on me, my mom Rita Drane.

Thumbing through the history books, you’ll find female scientists, astronauts, activists, politicians, writers and wealthy, influential entertainers (looking at you, Bey!).

But, you won’t see Rita Drane’s story. She managed a household, supported her husband and taught her children that knowledge and education are keys to success. She’d take her children by bus on weekly trips to the library to spend hours poring over the pages of books.

March is Women’s History Month. Take time this month to thank a woman who didn’t make the history books but left her imprint on you. I’m blessed to call Rita my mom.

– Renee Malone, APR, Publisher of The Memphis 100

 

On This Day: John Marshall’s Controversial Rise to Chief Justice

John Marshall by Henry Inman (1832), from the Library of Virginia The Washington DC 100's "On This Day in History" column is brought to you by the United States Capitol Society, uschs.org.

On January 31, 1801, John Marshall (1755-1835) received his commission as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Senate having given its “advice and consent” four days earlier.

As a lame duck appointment by a controversial administration, Marshall began under a cloud of hostility. But his landmark decisions earned new dignity for the Supreme Court and injected new energy to the federal government in defining its role vis-à-vis state authority.

His 34 years as chief justice (the longest of any) far exceeded the average 16-year tenure of those associate justices he joined on the bench.

– Hon. Ronald A. Sarasin, President, United States Capitol Historical Society

 

On This Day in History: Saddam Hussein Captured

On December 13, U.S. forces found their ace in the hole.

After the fall of Baghdad in April 2003, the U.S. military distributed decks of cards to soldiers stationed in Iraq. The 55-card decks – all face cards – were designed to help identify the country’s “most wanted.” Saddam Hussein’s photo adorned the Ace of Spades.

Nearly half the deck surrendered by the end of May, while Hussein continued to elude capture. The intense Operation Red Dawn culminated with the discovery of Hussein under a farmhouse near his hometown, Tikrit. President George W. Bush soon proclaimed to the world, “In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over.”

– Adam Croglia, Story Partners

 

On This Day: Founding of the Committee of Secret Correspondence

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

When the Second Continental Congress convened in 1775, the Revolutionary War was underway, with American soldiers disorganized, outnumbered and outgunned.

Anticipating a need for foreign assistance, the Congress created the Committee of Secret Correspondence. The Committee, charged with gauging European sympathy for American independence, was the fledgling country’s first foray into diplomatic relations and intelligence gathering – a precursor to today’s Department of State and CIA.

Founding member Benjamin Franklin’s connections and charm made him the perfect leader. Ultimately successful in procuring covert French aid, the Committee proved Franklin’s now-famous words true: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

– Kathy Jeavons, Senior Vice President, Story Partners

 

Across the Aisle: Where Partisanship Began

America wasn’t always this vitriolic. It need not be now. To prove it, we convened two former US Senators – one Democrat and one Republican – to kick off our eight-part video series.

“The House is designed by its nature to be partisan,” Saxby Chambliss said. “If you are in the minority party you basically have no say so … I truly did expect something different when I got to the Senate.”

“Historians have already written that the touchstone where it really began was Newt Gingrich and his Contract for America,” Wyche Fowler said. The two will offer solutions in upcoming episodes.

– Chris Schroder, SPR Atlanta

 

On this Day in History: Lincoln Reelected

"On This Day In History" will be a recurring feature in The Washington DC 100. Check back in the Nov. 29 edition for our next historical tidbit!

Elections are the cornerstone of a democracy, giving citizens an important voice in our future. In 1864, the Civil War’s fourth year, President Lincoln won 55 percent of the vote – with 212 electoral votes to Democratic challenger George B. McCellan’s 21.

But it’s perhaps most notable that the election was held at all. Before that, no country had ever held elections during a military emergency.

Lincoln himself said, “We cannot have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.”

– Kent Knutson, Vice President of Government Relations, The Home Depot; Board of Trustees, Ford’s Theatre

 

A Turkey’s Road to the White House

Bon Appétit! (or not)

Since the Truman Administration, the National Turkey Federation’s chairman has selected turkeys from the “Presidential Flock” for the First Family’s Thanksgiving. (President George H.W. Bush was the first to begin pardoning two birds.)

“The National Thanksgiving Turkey is raised the same as every other turkey, except for the one-on-one attention necessary to prepare for a Rose Garden crowd, the White House press corps and, of course, the leader of the free world,” said NTF President Joel Brandenberger. “The 2016 birds will spend their days as mascots cared for by Virginia Tech poultry science veterinarians and students.”

– Trudi Boyd, Story Partners