Theodore Roosevelt shut down the post office in Indianola, Mississippi - this day 1902 - because it refused to accept a black woman as postmaster. This bigotry reared its ugly head despite the fact that Minnie Cox had already been a postmaster since 1891 (more) 
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Cox, known for her professionalism and dedication, worked long hours and payed late rent on post office boxes to help her customers. She even personally paid for a post office telephone so citizens could call to see if they had any mail to pick up.
Cox, known for her professionalism and dedication, worked long hours and payed late rent on post office boxes to help her customers. She even personally paid for a post office telephone so citizens could call to see if they had any mail to pick up.
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But as the post-Civil War policy of reconstruction—which had helped Blacks find work in the deep South—faded in the early 20th century, white citizens in Indianola argued that a good job such as postmaster should be held by whites. A petition called for Cox to resign (more)
But as the post-Civil War policy of reconstruction—which had helped Blacks find work in the deep South—faded in the early 20th century, white citizens in Indianola argued that a good job such as postmaster should be held by whites. A petition called for Cox to resign (more)
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At outraged President Roosevelt heard about this and said Cox would stay on the job. He then ordered mail service eliminated until white citizens relented. But fearing for her safety, Cox moved away. Roosevelt ordered his Atty Gen. to prosecute those who had threatened her
At outraged President Roosevelt heard about this and said Cox would stay on the job. He then ordered mail service eliminated until white citizens relented. But fearing for her safety, Cox moved away. Roosevelt ordered his Atty Gen. to prosecute those who had threatened her
John F. Kennedy, a 42-year old Senator from Massachusetts, said he would run for President - this day in 1960. He would go on to become youngest POTUS ever elected (though VP Theodore Roosevelt was even younger when he took over after McKinley's assassination in 1901)
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Some Democrats, notably former President Harry Truman, said Kennedy was too young and inexperienced. JFK responded that after naval service during WWII, he had served 14 years in Congress - more than Truman himself
Some Democrats, notably former President Harry Truman, said Kennedy was too young and inexperienced. JFK responded that after naval service during WWII, he had served 14 years in Congress - more than Truman himself
This Day 1974:
As the United States reeled under a crippling Arab oil embargo—which hammered the U.S. economy and caused severe shortages of gasoline—President Nixon signed a bill lowering the U.S. speed limit to 55 mph. He also asked - (more)
As the United States reeled under a crippling Arab oil embargo—which hammered the U.S. economy and caused severe shortages of gasoline—President Nixon signed a bill lowering the U.S. speed limit to 55 mph. He also asked - (more)
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Americans to drive less and for gas stations to close for 27 hours on weekends. Nixon also called for limits on commercial air travel, and during the holidays urged citizens not to hang Christmas lights nytimes.com/1973/11/25/arc…
Americans to drive less and for gas stations to close for 27 hours on weekends. Nixon also called for limits on commercial air travel, and during the holidays urged citizens not to hang Christmas lights nytimes.com/1973/11/25/arc…
A President who cracked down on the Russians:
This day in 1980, President Carter - outraged over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, asked to Senate to table deliberation of SALT II—a nuclear arms control treaty—with the Kremlin. He also ordered the U.S. ambassador home and...
This day in 1980, President Carter - outraged over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, asked to Senate to table deliberation of SALT II—a nuclear arms control treaty—with the Kremlin. He also ordered the U.S. ambassador home and...
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...cut off exports of food to the U.S.S.R. In a more controversial move, Carter also ordered an American boycott of the Summer Olympics, which were scheduled to be held that year in Moscow. The U.S. quietly began sending military aid to anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan
...cut off exports of food to the U.S.S.R. In a more controversial move, Carter also ordered an American boycott of the Summer Olympics, which were scheduled to be held that year in Moscow. The U.S. quietly began sending military aid to anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan
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