Constitution Daily Blog
Civil War
On this day, Lee surrenders at Appomattox
On this day, Confederate General Robert E. Lee agreed to surrender his Army of Northern Virginia, marking a symbolic end to the…
The cotton gin: A game-changing social and economic invention
On this day in 1793, young inventor Eli Whitney had his U.S. patent for the cotton gin approved, an invention that would…
On this day, the Confederate Constitution is approved
On March 11, 1861, delegates from the newly formed Confederate States of America agreed on their own constitution. And much of it…
Hiram Revels: The first African American congressman
On this day in 1870, a Black politician was seated in the United States Senate for the first time, but only after Republican…
The last insurrection case considered by Congress
An obscure incident involving the 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause is getting some new attention in the lead-up to…
On this day, Grant names little-known Waite as Chief Justice
On January 19, 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant nominated little-known Ohio lawyer Morrison Waite to replace Chief Justice Salmon…
10 fascinating facts about Woodrow Wilson
On the occasion of his birthday, Constitution Daily looks at some unusual facts related to one of the more controversial…
Remembering Zachary Taylor: Military hero, obscure President
On November 24, 1784, future President Zachary Taylor was born in Virginia. Taylor became an unexpected obstacle to slavery’s…
Chester Alan Arthur’s brave, short presidency
Fewer leaders had lower public expectations than Chester Alan Arthur, but fewer people knew the 21st President was dealing with a…
On This Day, Abraham Lincoln is elected President
On November 6, 1860, voters in the United States went to the polls in an election that ended with Abraham Lincoln as President, in…
