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The First Women’s March on Washington
The 1912 election was contentious and a dark horse candidate took the White House. (Please see our post on the Bull Moose Party for more details http://www.historynaked.com/bull-moose-party/ ) In the aftermath of that election, there were still social issues which had not been settled. The cause of women’s suffrage had been in play since the late 19th century, which persistent and courageous groups making strides on local levels. However, it was not enough. They had been fighting for 60 years with minimal progress on a national level. Something was big needed. Enter the National American Woman Suffrage Association and Alice Paul. Alice organized an enormous march on Washington in support…
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The Green Fairy – Absinthe
Its precise origins are unknown but it has its roots throughout history. Absinthe is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (“grand wormwood”), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. It traditionally has a natural green colour but may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as “la fée verte” (the green fairy).The medical use of wormwood dates back to ancient Egypt, and is mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus, c. 1550 BC. Wormwood extracts and wine-soaked wormwood leaves were used as remedies by the ancient Greeks. Moreover, there is evidence of the existence of…
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Ludwig the Mad King
The Wittelsbachs ruled Bavaria and in a landscape of mentally unstable royals, they were a special breed. Ludwig was born into a family rife with eccentricities if not downright psychosis. His aunt Alexandra was convinced she had swallowed an entire grand piano made of glass. That just lets you know what we are dealing with. Ludwig was born to Maximilian II and his wife Princess Marie of Prussia at Nymphenburg Palace. They were a mismatch pair even though they were cousins as Maximilian was Catholic and Marie was Protestant. Marrying cousins is never a great idea, however, in a family rife with mental illness it’s a disaster. When both Ludwig and…
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Emperor Norton I of the United States
So those of us here in the United States go to the polls today. Wouldn’t it be just easier if we just had an emperor? According to one man in San Francisco, we did and it was him. On September 17, 1859, Joshua A. Norton declared himself the “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico”. Who was this illustrious emperor and why haven’t we heard of him? Joshua A. Norton was born February 4, 1819, probably in Scotland. Not much is known about his early life, but before settling in San Francisco he lived in Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope and was a member of the Cape…
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony- Best Friends with a Mission
Different cultures have different takes on the rights of both genders; however, in 19th century America, women did not have many rights. They were considered the “weaker sex” and inferior to males both physically and mentally. Women were supposed to confine their activities to taking care of a the home for their husbands and children. Married women could not legally own anything as ownership of all possessions reverted to their husbands. A lady could not travel without a male escort and certainly could not give a speech in public. It goes without saying that at this time, women could not vote. Into this society, two women came together and through…
