Happy Thanksgiving! Image: from someone’s eBay page. Sorry, that’s the best I can do.

I’m an Army guy myself, but right now I’m proud to fly a “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag more associated with the Navy. It’s my BlueSky profile banner now. Please use it for yours if you wish. Let’s get as many people as we can to do so. It’s a small thing, but even small things matter right now.

In every generation, there comes a time when you must publicly declare which side you’re on. That time is now. Tell me: where do you stand? Think carefully, for your answer to this question will redound to the ages… Does listening to an audiobook count as reading? Image: ReadingPartners.org.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was born 193 years ago today: Nov. 26, 1832. She was a doctor, Civil War surgeon, and women's dress reform advocate, but is best known as America's only female Medal of Honor recipient. Here's a great 2019 We're History article about her from author R.E. Fulton.

I hereby present to you the 2026 America the Beautiful annual pass to national parks & federal recreation lands. I am not making this up. Per Department of the Interior, this is what the 2026 pass looks like. And more good news: June 14 is a fee free day for “Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday.”

In early Oct. 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for a national Day of Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of Nov., which that year fell on Nov. 26 (162 yrs ago today). Here’s a link to more information on Lincoln and Thanksgiving from Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

A MAGA we can all get behind. M ake A merica G arfield A gain Image: Library of Congress.

Image credit: Navyonline.com.

“The people—the people—are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts—not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.” ~Abraham Lincoln, speech in Kansas, Dec. 1859. Image: Library of Congress.

My friends and former colleagues at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum get all the credit for this one. I don’t think they’ll mind if I share it. If you’re so inclined and happen to be on any of these platforms, please follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.

Was Zachary Taylor the first assassinated president? Taylor, 12th POTUS, was born on this day 241 years ago: Nov. 24, 1784. Taylor died in office on Jul. 9, 1850. Here's an article I wrote about the theory he'd actually been poisoned, which led to his body's exhumation for arsenic testing in 1991.

Beautiful Lake Erie sunset this evening. This picture would’ve been much better if I’d gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.

“Death by Lightning” fans: please enjoy my interpretation of the fight for the 1880 Republican presidential nomination in convenient meme form.

“It would at least be decent to wait until the grass is green on the graves of our murdered patriots.” ~Congressman James A. Garfield, 8/5/1865, on the prospect of former Confederates being seated as members of Congress. Image: Architect of the Capitol. www.aoc.gov/explore-capi....

Hey everyone, I’m really worried about one of our dogs. She just can’t seem to relax.

Today is the 62nd anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. Here’s an interview I did several years ago with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder—the Dallas businessman who inadvertently filmed the assassination. Her book “Twenty-Six Seconds” is excellent.

Okay, for all you “Death by Lightning” fans… Here’s Part II of a two-parter I wrote years ago on President Garfield’s assassination. I posted Part I earlier today. These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”

Calling all “Death by Lightning” fans…Here’s Part I of a two-parter about President James A. Garfield’s assassination. I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).

My favorite t-shirt. And my favorite fact. I got it from the online store of the National World War I Museum if you’re interested in getting one of your own. shop.theworldwar.org

The Lake Erie shoreline near my neighborhood this afternoon.

Since James Garfield is getting a lot of attention these day thanks to “Death by Lightning” on @netflix.com, I’m sharing some older pieces I wrote about him and others of his era. If you’re wondering why I called my book on the 1880 election “The Last Lincoln Republican,” this one’s for you.

Today is both James Garfield’s birthday AND Gettysburg Address anniversary. This 11/13/1863 letter from Maj. Gen. Garfield to OH Gov. David Tod is Garfield’s negative RSVP to Tod’s invitation to attend Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery dedication…at which Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address. Image: LOC.

President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on this day 162 years ago: Nov. 19, 1863. Here’s a link to a great video by @hcrichardson.bsky.social that explains what Lincoln said and what it meant for America.

James A. Garfield, 20th POTUS, was born in Ohio on this day 194 years ago: Nov. 19, 1831. He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.” Image: Library of Congress.

From 2021: one of my favorite reviews of my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.” Belated thanks to Civil War Monitor magazine and review author Dr. Brian Matthew Jordan!

Am I proud of myself for coming up with a snarky name for my one massive 99-hour Spotify playlist? Yes. Yes I am.

“The peace we seek and need means much more than mere absence of war. It means the acceptance of law, and the fostering of justice, in all the world.” ~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct. 31, 1956. Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Seems like a good policy. @hcrichardson.bsky.social

Three job interviews this week!

Here’s me yesterday on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live. We’re talking about my years as James A. Garfield Nat’l Historic Site’s Tweetmaster General and the time I offered Taylor Swift $250 & a coffee mug to play one of our summer concerts. Shockingly, she never responded.

I had a great time this morning on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live! We talked a lot about the new @netflix.com James A. Garfield series “Death by Lightning.” Here’s a clip. More to follow the next day or two. Thanks to Alexis for having me on!

I have no opinions on fashion. Except sports uniforms. The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, and Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers) all need to go back to their 1980s-era uniforms. Now you kids get off my lawn.

I’ve gained 3,000 followers in the past week. I’d like to think it’s because of my brilliance and wit, but ultimately it’s about 98% thanks to @hcrichardson.bsky.social and @alexiscoe.bsky.social. Then 1% my brilliance and wit and 1% people who thought I was someone else.

Good Sunday morning to everyone! Just a reminder…at 10 a.m. (Eastern) today I’ll be on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study, Marry, Kill” Substack Live to talk about James A. Garfield, “Death by Lightning,” and anything else that comes up. Please watch if you’re interested!

Now that federal employees are back to work, I’ve heard from my friends & former colleagues at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. They tell me their general delivery email & voicemail inboxes are full of messages supporting me & demanding my reinstatement. That is very humbling and gratifying.

Because I am young and hip, I know this is a Taylor Swift reference. That’s right, isn’t it? Well done, @alexiscoe.bsky.social. I’ve always loved my 19th century bearded/sideburned presidents with a side of pop culture.

And I'm somehow not done! Join me and the great Todd Arrington on Sunday, 10am EST on Study, Marry, Kill. alexiscoe.substack.com/publish/post... bsky.app/profile/btar...

Mark your calendars for 10 am (Eastern) this Sunday, Nov. 16! I’ll be appearing on my friend Alexis Coe’s Substack Live to discuss the new James A. Garfield Netflix series “Death by Lightning!” My thanks to @alexiscoe.bsky.social for this kind invitation. This should be fun!

“Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.” ~Presidential candidate James A. Garfield, Jul. 12, 1880. Photo: Library of Congress.

As a @pirates.com fan, it’s nice to have something to get excited about.

I’m happy that my friends & former colleagues in the National Park Service and National Archives & Records Administration are finally able to go back to work today! Despite what some would have you believe, federal civil servants are some of the most dedicated & hardworking people you’ll ever meet.

Agree. Thanks to @protectparks.bsky.social for this excellent graphic.

"People are what count. A sympathetic understanding of the aspirations, the hopes and fears, the traditions and prides of other peoples and nations, is essential to the promotion of mutual prosperity and peace." ~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, May 25, 1956. Photo: Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Since this week brought us both the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps (Nov. 10) and Veterans Day (Nov. 11), here’s a We’re History piece I wrote several years ago about a famous Marine family—and just how much some give in service to our nation.

Amen.

Since today is Veterans Day, here’s a piece I wrote ten years ago about the history of the holiday we now mark every Nov. 11. I was fortunate to write several articles for We’re History, one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s great public projects. Go to werehistory.org to read lots of great articles.

Happy Veterans Day to all my brother and sister veterans out there. You’re all my heroes. A few old photos from my days in the 2-27 Infantry (Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry Division (Light), U.S. Army, 1995-1998. @usarmy.bsky.social

Thanks for the very kind words, @benjaminepark.bsky.social!

For all you fans of the new @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” here’s the table of contents for my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.” It covers much of the ground the series explores. It’s published by the University Press of Kansas.

Any historians active on Tik Tok? I have avoided that platform, but I wonder if there’s a need for some incisive historians on there putting out good history content. My better half suggested this to me months ago but I didn’t really give it much thought. Oh, and asking for a friend, of course.