ses·qui·cen·ten·ni·al/ˌseskwisenˈtenēəl (dictionary.com) We study it in school. We visit the memorials and battlefields. We reenact it. The Civil War in America was a seminal turning point in America's history. This year in April we marked the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War, the shots fired on Fort Sumpter in Charleston harbor. What else can we learn from 1861?
In 1861, the United States of America (Union) instituted the first income tax. The Revenue Act of 1861 imposed a three percent tax on incomes over eight hundred dollars. Designed to help fund the expenses of the war, it was a flat rate tax. This was repealed in 1862 and replaced by a progressive rate tax which was to terminate in 1866. Obviously, 1866 was not the end of the income tax debate in America. For more information on this subject, check out The Great Tax Wars: Lincoln to Wilson by Steven Weisman (336.242 Weisman).
OTHER
EVENTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST IN 1861-The Pony Express, which began in April of 1860, ended in October of 1861 when the Pacific Telegraph line was completed.
Serfdom was abolished in Russia.
Louis Pasteur begins working on the germ theory of disease, eventually leading to the process of pasteurization.
The Gatlin Gun, a hand-cranked machine gun, is invented. (The idea being that fewer soldiers would be needed on the battlefield.)
The kinematoscope, a precursor to the cinema, is invented.
EVENTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST IN 1861-The Pony Express, which began in April of 1860, ended in October of 1861 when the Pacific Telegraph line was completed.Serfdom was abolished in Russia.
Louis Pasteur begins working on the germ theory of disease, eventually leading to the process of pasteurization.
The Gatlin Gun, a hand-cranked machine gun, is invented. (The idea being that fewer soldiers would be needed on the battlefield.)
The kinematoscope, a precursor to the cinema, is invented.
For the next four years, throughout our nation, there will be Civil War battlefields to visit, reenactments to view, and historical events to remember. Take the time to visit our history through fact and fiction.
RECOMMENDED FICTION-
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara
The Long Roll by Mary Johnston
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
March by Geraldine Brooks not to be confused with The March by E.L. Doctorow (also recommended)
The Starbuck Series by Bernard Cornwell
Gettysburgh Trilogy by Newt Gingrich
Note-for those of you signing up for the Adult Summer Reading program at MPL, these books are historical fiction and would account for one of your genre reads.
