February 1: Battle Hymn of the Republic

On this date in History .... 1862:

The Atlantic Monthly magazine publishes the words to Julia Ward Howe’s poem-turned-song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, which became the most popular song of the Civil War.

 

Previously, Union soldiers had sung the song “John Brown’s Body” but so did the Confederate, with slightly different words.  Howe and a minister friend thought there should be more uplifting words.  Howe, already a published poet, took up the challenge and wrote the poem/song. 

 

Two years before her death, she became the first woman elected to the

American Academy of Arts and Letters.  She was married to Samuel Howe, who founded the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston.

 

Jim Nabors sings "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

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January 31: Germany Resumes U-Boat Attacks

On this date in History .... 1917:

Germany announces they will again begin unrestricted warfare in the Atlantic with their submarines, known as U-Boats. 

The American stance of remaining a neutral in the Great War was wearing thin with the sinking of the Lusitania and an Italian ship with 27 Americans. Three days after Germany’s announcement, an American ship, the Housatonic was sunk.

On February 22, the U.S. Congress appropriated $250 million to ready America for war. In March, Germany sank four more U.S. merchant ships.  On April 6, the House of Representatives endorsed the Senate’s declaration of war and “America formerly entered WWI.”

January 30: Assassination Attempt on Andrew Jackson

On this date in History .... 1835:

The first attempt to assassinate a United States President was tried against President Andrew Jackson.

 

Richard Lawrence discharged 2 separate pistols in the House chamber of the U.S. Congress during a funeral service honoring Rep. Warren Davis of So. Carolina. Both weapons misfired.  Jackson began beating Lawrence with his walking stick until members of Congress pulled Jackson off of him. 

 

 

Lawrence was subdued by other members of Congress, (including Congressman Davy Crockett), arrested, found to be insane & sent to a mental hospital.

Jackson was certain that Lawrence had been paid by political opponents to kill him but this was never proven. 

100 years later, the Smithsonian did a test-fire on the guns used by Lawrence and determined that the odds of BOTH guns misfiring was 1 in 125,000.

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January 29: School Prohibited German to be Taught

On this date in History ..... 1918:

The Indianapolis Public Schools voted to ban the teaching of German in public schools. 

 

This was a common reaction going on around the country in response to the German factor in WWI, even though German-American communities “were among the oldest and most widespread ethnic groups in the state.” It became illegal for German newspapers to continue to print or to disburse anything German thru the mail.

 

 It was during this time period that those of German descent and anything German began to “Americanize” themselves, changing names, such as the small town in eastern Indiana (near my hometown) changing its name from “East Germantown” to “Pershing”, the name of the great WWI General. For many MANY years, the city went by both names, as shown by this city limits sign.

 

Footnote:  In my own personal history, I can see how the spelling of my family name evolved over the generations.  In a local cemetery, I can see the original family who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1840s spelled our last name as "Toschlage".   Later, I can find it on tombstones spelled "Toschlag".  It since evolved to the current spelling as "Toschlog".

 

January 28: First Jewish Nomination to Supreme Court

On this date in History ..... 1916:

Woodrow Wilson nominates the first Jewish person to the Supreme Court. 

 

Louis Brandeis, born in Louisville, KY, to Jewish immigrant parents, was a Harvard graduate at the age of 20 with the highest grade average in the college’s history.

 

As a lawyer, he fought against large corporations, monopolies and corruption. When he was financially secure, be began taking cases for no pay, earning the name “A Robin Hood of the law”. He set a precedent in evidence presentation when he used expert testimony from those in other professions to support his case(s). 

 

His court nomination was bitterly contested as many thought he was brilliant but as a crusader for social justice, he was considered dangerous. But he was considered even more dangerous than the norm because he was (1) incorruptible and (2) Jewish.  

 

He was confirmed and became one of the most influential justices to serve on the court.

January 27: US bombs Germany

On this date in History ..... 1943:

Americans make the first bombing raid against Germany.

 

65 bomber planes from the 8^th Air Force departed from their England base. 53 planes made it to the destination where 22 German planes were shot down.  Americans only lost 3 planes in return.  

 

The 8^th Air Force became famous for their precision bombing raids, often called “the greatest air armada in history.” The nickname seems to be well deserved.

 

“The Eighth’s personnel also earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, 850 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts, 46,000 Air Medals. Many more uncounted awards were presented to the 8th AF veterans after the war. There were 261 fighter aces and 305 gunner aces in the Eighth in World War II; 31 of those fighter aces exceeded 15 or more aircraft kills.” (all quotes source: mightyeighth.org)

 

A museum to commemorate the MIghty Eighth is located in Savannah Georgia.

January 26: Tennessee and Prohibition

On this date in History .... 1838:

Tennessee passes the first prohibition law.  No longer could “spirituous liquors” be sold and those who did would be fined “at the discretion of the court” with the monies going to support schools.  In 1919, the state’s General Assembly voted almost unanimously for the 18^th Amendment (Prohibition).

However the terrain in Tennessee made it ideal for making moonshine and with easy untaxed money to be made, law officials were easily bribed. This type of corruption (which was not limited to Tennessee by any means) made it fashionable to flaunt the law. 

Although Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Tennessee remains in a minority of states that still prohibit the Sunday sale of whiskey, tequila and other distilled spirits. Moore County, the home of the Jack Daniels distillery, is located in a dry county, prohibiting this whiskey from being sold in the county in which it is made. However, a state law was passed to permit a distillery to sell one “commemorative” product and the Jack Daniels Distillery has one blend of whiskey in a commemorative bottle which can be sold locally.