Monday, October 15, 2012

President Dwight D. Eisenhower


Dwight D. Eisenhower
Click Here to view the US Mint & Coin Acts 1782-1792
34th President of the United States
Under the Constitution of 1787
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961

DAVID DWIGHT EISENHOWER was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas, as the third of seven sons born to David Jacob and Ida Elizabeth Stover Eisenhower. The couple initially met at Lane University, a United Brethren school located in Lecompton, Kansas. Although neither of Eisenhower's parents hailed from Kansas originally—his mother's family had relocated from Virginia, while his father's roots traced back to Pennsylvania—they married in 1885. Within three years of their marriage, the young family resettled in Denison, Texas, where Dwight was born. However, when Dwight was still an infant, the Eisenhowers relocated once more, this time returning to Abilene, Kansas, where his father had secured a position as a mechanic at the Belle Springs Creamery. It was in Abilene that the Eisenhowers raised all six surviving sons, as sadly, their seventh son passed away in infancy.


Both Eisenhower’s parents were deeply religious, his father stern and his mother warm and loving. They raised much of their own food in a large garden, selling the surplus for cash. The boys worked to earn spending money and had regular chores to do around the house. The Eisenhowers encouraged their children to be self reliant and independent.




Both of Eisenhower's parents were deeply devout, with his father characterized as stern and his mother as warm and affectionate. They instilled values of self-sufficiency and independence in their children, cultivating a large garden to provide much of their own food, and selling surplus produce for extra income. The boys were expected to contribute by working for spending money and completing regular household chores.

Young Eisenhower attended local schools, where he maintained average academic performance except in history, his favored subject. However, he excelled in sports, notably as an outfielder in baseball and a tackle in football, demonstrating a passion for athletic endeavors. After graduating from Abilene High School in 1909, he joined his father at the creamery. Both Dwight and his older brother, Edgar, aspired to attend college but faced financial constraints. They devised a plan where they alternated years working to pay for the other's education. In 1909, Dwight was able to contribute over $200 to support Edgar's schooling. The following year, Dwight pursued a free education through the U.S. Naval Academy, aiming to continue his athletic pursuits. Despite passing the entrance exam, he discovered he was too old for admission but secured an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point instead, despite lacking a strong interest in military life. At West Point, he maintained an average academic record and gained attention from sports journalists for his performance as a halfback on the Army football team. However, a knee injury during the season dashed his football aspirations, causing emotional turmoil. Despite contemplating resignation, Eisenhower persevered and graduated in 1915, ranking 61st in a class of 164.

In September 1915, Eisenhower was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he met Mamie Geneva Dowd, hailing from a wealthy Denver family, and embarked on a courtship. Despite initial reservations from Miss Dowd, Eisenhower's persistence led to their marriage on July 1, 1916. The couple had two sons: Dowd Dwight (1917 – 1921) and John Sheldon Dowd (1922 – ).


Eisenhower's military career was marked by steady advancement and notable achievements. He began his service with the Infantry until February 1918, transitioning to the Tank Corps until January 1922. Over the years, he earned promotions, rising from First Lieutenant on July 1, 1916, to Captain on May 15, 1917, and to Major (temporary) on June 17, 1918. On October 14, 1918, he was further promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (temporary). However, by June 30, 1920, he reverted to the permanent rank of Captain, only to be swiftly promoted to Major on July 2, 1920.

In January 1922, Eisenhower assumed the role of executive officer to Brigadier General Fox Conner in the Panama Canal Zone. Under Conner's mentorship, Eisenhower's understanding of military strategy deepened significantly. Impressed by Eisenhower's abilities, Conner facilitated his attendance at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where Eisenhower graduated as the top student in a class of nearly 250 in 1926. Following this success, he briefly served under General John J. Pershing before enrolling in the Army War College, where he once again graduated first in his class in 1928. Eisenhower continued to excel in various staff assignments, serving under Generals Douglas MacArthur and Walter Krueger.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, General George C. Marshall summoned Eisenhower to Washington to head the War Plans Division. Eisenhower's leadership capabilities became even more evident when he commanded the Allied Forces landing in North Africa in November 1942 and assumed the role of Supreme Commander during the D-Day invasion of France in 1944. Subsequently, from 1945 to 1948, he served as Chief of Staff of the Army. Eisenhower retired as a five-star general in 1948 and penned his memoirs, titled "Crusade in Europe."

On June 7, 1948, Eisenhower was inaugurated as President of Columbia University, where his popularity soared due to his distinguished war record and his approachable personality. Despite bipartisan pressure to run for the presidency in 1948, Eisenhower declined, opting to serve at Columbia until 1950 when he took leave to command the newly formed NATO forces.





In April 1952, Eisenhower declared his intention to seek the Republican nomination for President. Despite a narrow margin, he secured the nomination on the first ballot, leading to a sweeping victory for the Dwight D. Eisenhower/Richard M. Nixon ticket in the presidential election held on November 4, 1952. The Republican ticket secured 442 Electoral College votes compared to the Democratic ticket led by Adlai E. Stevenson, which garnered only 89 votes.

Eisenhower's military background proved to be both an advantage and a constraint during his presidency. While he demonstrated a knack for administrative efficiency, he faced challenges in addressing national issues. Nonetheless, he excelled in delegating responsibilities, enabling him to focus on broader matters. He believed in solving problems at the local level rather than through sweeping federal programs.





Serving two terms as President from January 20, 1953, to January 20, 1961, Eisenhower oversaw the end of the Korean War and navigated crises in Lebanon, Suez, Berlin, and Hungary. He championed the Atoms for Peace initiative, witnessed the addition of Alaska and Hawaii as states, and addressed civil rights issues. Despite grooming Nixon as his successor, Eisenhower struggled to translate personal loyalty into support for the Republican candidate.




After retiring to his small farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Eisenhower remained active, raising cattle and spending winters in Palm Springs, California, where he enjoyed playing golf. He continued to receive honors and served as an advisor to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson on international matters. In August 1965, Eisenhower suffered a severe heart attack, limiting his public engagements. He endorsed his former Vice President, Richard M. Nixon, in the 1968 presidential election, a year in which his grandson, David Eisenhower, married Nixon's daughter Julie. Eisenhower experienced another heart attack in the summer of 1968 and spent his final months at Walter Reed Army Hospital, where he passed away on March 28, 1969.   


The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America 


Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents 
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776


September 5, 1774
October 22, 1774
October 22, 1774
October 26, 1774
May 20, 1775
May 24, 1775
May 25, 1775
July 1, 1776

Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America

George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783



Continental Congress of the United States Presidents 
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781

July 2, 1776
October 29, 1777
November 1, 1777
December 9, 1778
December 10, 1778
September 28, 1779
September 29, 1779
February 28, 1781



Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789

March 1, 1781
July 6, 1781
July 10, 1781
Declined Office
July 10, 1781
November 4, 1781
November 5, 1781
November 3, 1782
November 4, 1782
November 2, 1783
November 3, 1783
June 3, 1784
November 30, 1784
November 22, 1785
November 23, 1785
June 5, 1786
June 6, 1786
February 1, 1787
February 2, 1787
January 21, 1788
January 22, 1788
January 21, 1789


Presidents of the United States of America

D-Democratic Party, F-Federalist Party, I-Independent, R-Republican Party, R* Republican Party of Jefferson & W-Whig Party 


(1789-1797)
(1933-1945)
(1865-1869)
(1797-1801)
(1945-1953)
(1869-1877)
(1801-1809)
(1953-1961)
 (1877-1881)
(1809-1817)
(1961-1963)
 (1881 - 1881)
(1817-1825)
(1963-1969)
(1881-1885)
(1825-1829)
(1969-1974)
(1885-1889)
(1829-1837)
(1973-1974)
(1889-1893)
(1837-1841)
(1977-1981)
(1893-1897)
(1841-1841)
(1981-1989)
(1897-1901)
(1841-1845)
(1989-1993)
(1901-1909)
(1845-1849)
(1993-2001)
(1909-1913)
(1849-1850)
(2001-2009)
(1913-1921)
(1850-1853)
(2009-2017)
(1921-1923)
(1853-1857)
(20017-Present)
(1923-1929)
*Confederate States  of America
(1857-1861)
(1929-1933)
(1861-1865)

Chart Comparing Presidential Powers Click Here

United Colonies and States First Ladies
1774-1788


United Colonies Continental Congress
President
18th Century Term
Age
09/05/74 – 10/22/74
29
Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
Henry Middleton
10/22–26/74
n/a
05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
30
05/25/75 – 07/01/76
28
United States Continental Congress
President
Term
Age
07/02/76 – 10/29/77
29
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
Henry Laurens
11/01/77 – 12/09/78
n/a
Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
21
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
09/29/79 – 02/28/81
41
United States in Congress Assembled
President
Term
Age
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
03/01/81 – 07/06/81
42
07/10/81 – 11/04/81
25
Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
11/05/81 - 11/03/82
55
11/03/82 - 11/02/83
46
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
11/03/83 - 11/02/84
36
11/20/84 - 11/19/85
46
11/23/85 – 06/06/86
38
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
06/06/86 - 02/01/87
42
02/02/87 - 01/21/88
43
01/22/88 - 01/29/89
36

Constitution of 1787
First Ladies
President
Term
Age
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
57
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
52
Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
September 6, 1782  (Aged 33)
n/a
March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
40
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
48
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
50
December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
n/a
February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
n/a
March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
65
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
50
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
23
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
41
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
60
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
52
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
46
n/a
n/a
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
42
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
54
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
43
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
45
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
48
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
n/a
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
21
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
56
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
28
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
49
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
40
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
47
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
52
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
43
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
60
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
44
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
54
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
48
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
60
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
56
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
31
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
50
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
56
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
56
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
49
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
59
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
63
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
45
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
54
January 20, 2009 to date
45



Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America

Philadelphia
Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
Philadelphia
May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
Baltimore
Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
Philadelphia
March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
Lancaster
September 27, 1777
York
Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
Philadelphia
July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
Princeton
June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
Annapolis
Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
Trenton
Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
New York City
Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
New York City
October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
New York City
March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
Philadelphia
Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800       
Washington DC
November 17,1800 to Present




Book a primary source exhibit and a professional speaker for your next event by contacting Historic.us today. Our Clients include many Fortune 500 companies, associations, non-profits, colleges, universities, national conventions, PR and advertising agencies. As a leading national exhibitor of primary sources, many of our clients have benefited from our historic displays that are designed to entertain and educate your target audience. Contact us to learn how you can join our "roster" of satisfied clientele today!



 
Hosted by The New Orleans Jazz Museum and The Louisiana Historical Center



Historic.us

 
A Non-profit Corporation

Primary Source Exhibits


727-771-1776 | Exhibit Inquiries

202-239-1774 | Office

202-239-0037 FAX 

Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals

Naomi@Historic.us
Stan@Historic.us

Primary Source exhibits are available for display in your community. The costs range from $1,000 to $35,000 depending on length of time on loan and the rarity of artifacts chosen. 

Website: www.Historic.us


     
U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here

The United Colonies of North America Continental Congress Presidents (1774-1776)
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)