Grand Old Partisan

the Georgia Republican Party celebrates its 142nd anniversary

On this day in 1867, the Republican Party of Georgia was established at a convention in Atlanta.  More than 30% of the delegates were African-Americans.

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

Ronald Reagan honors immigrants

On this day in 1986, at a ceremony re-dedicating the Statue of Liberty, President Ronald Reagan honored immigrants from all nations who come "to build a new world of peace and freedom and hope."

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

Republicans passed the Land Grant College Act

On this day in 1862, Rep. Lot Morrill (R-VT) won passage of his Land Grant College Act by the Republican-controlled 37th Congress.  The law established colleges and universities throughout the United States.  Federal land would be distributed to state institutions of higher learning.  By law, they would be open to African-Americans as well as whites.  The University of Illinois and Iowa State University are among the dozens of institutions to benefit from the GOP's Land Grant College Act.

Lot Morrill would later be elected to the U.S. Senate and then would serve as Secretary of the Treasury in the Ulysses Grant administration.

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

the assassination of President James Garfield

On this day in 1881, a crazed gunman shot President James Garfield (R-OH) at a Washington, DC train station.  The president had been walking arm-in-arm with the Speaker of the House, James Blaine (R-ME).  Garfield would die of his wounds a few weeks later.

At the time, the Republican Party was divided into two factions, the hard-line Stalwarts and the moderate Half-Breeds.  The 1880 Republican presidential ticket had paired Garfield, a Half-Breed, with a Stalwart running mate, Chester Arthur.  After shooting Garfield, the assassin shouted "I am a Stalwart!  Arthur is now president!"

There was no evidence that anyone had conspired with the gunman, who soon met his Maker at the end of a rope. 

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

the Transcontinental Railroad was a Republican achievement

The 1860 Republican National Convention, in its platform, called for building a railroad to the Pacific.

On this day in 1862, the Republican-controlled 37th Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act, establishing the transcontinental continental railroad.  The bill, written by U.S. Rep. Samuel Curtis (R-IA), was signed into law later that day by President Abraham Lincoln (R-IL).

The man honored with driving the golden spike to complete the railroad was a Republican and former Governor of California, Leland Stanford.  In 1856, Stanford had co-founded the California Republican Party.  He would later serve in the U.S. Senate and found Stanford University.

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.

Theodore Roosevelt charges up San Juan Hill

On this day in 1898, Col. Theodore Roosevelt led his Rough Riders in a charge against Spanish troops atop San Juan Hill, overlooking Santiago.  Alright, it was actually Kettle Hill, but still...

The bloody battle effectively ended Spanish control of their Cuban colony and brought the Spanish-American War to a close.  Roosevelt became a national hero, and a few months later he was elected Governor of New York.

Interestingly, American troops who were liberating Cuba took to mixing the local rum with cola -- and called the drink the cuba libre, or "free Cuba."

Michael Zak is a popular speaker to Republican organizations around the country, showing office-holders, candidates and activists how they would benefit tremendously from appreciating the heritage of our Grand Old Party.  Back to Basics for the Republican Party is his acclaimed history of the GOP from the Republican point of view.  Each day, his Grand Old Partisan blog celebrates more than fifteen decades of Republican heroes and heroics.  See www.republicanbasics.com for more information.