President Andrew Johnson’s Impeachment Trial
President Andrew Johnson was acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial on May 26, 1868, narrowly escaping removal from office by one vote. Johnson’s presidency had been marked by contentious relations with Congress, particularly regarding policies of Reconstruction and the treatment of the defeated Southern states after the Civil War. His trial, the first impeachment of […]
Martha Jones Becomes First Black Woman to Receive U.S. Patent
On this day in 1868, Martha Jones of Amelia County, Virginia, became the first Black woman to receive a U.S. patent. Her invention, a cutting-edge improvement in the corn husker and sheller, showcased not only her ingenuity but also her courage in breaking through the racial and gender barriers of her time. Jones’ achievement is […]
The United States House of Representatives Votes to Impeach President Andrew Johnson
A historic moment in American politics occurred on February 24th, 1868, as the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson on charges of high crimes and misdemeanors. Johnson’s impeachment trial in the Senate would follow, shaping the course of Reconstruction-era politics.