December 31, 1860 (Monday)

Cold

The year 1860 had seen the first African American to perform at the White House.  Patents had been filed for the first internal combustion two-stroke engine and a carbon filament incandescent lamp.  William Jennings Bryon was born this year.  Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States.  South Carolina seceded from the Union in December. 

Slavery ended in the Netherland Indies, Brahms' 2nd Serenade in A premiered, organized baseball played for the first time in San Francisco, Japan's first ambassador arrives in the United States, the pony express began between St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA, the Democratic convention divides over slavery, the Oxford evolution debate is held, first railroad reaches Kansas, Queen of Hawaii arrives in New York, British and French troops capture Beijing, telegraph between Los Angeles and San Francisco, first aerial photo taken from a balloon in Boston, 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Lincoln and tells him to grow a beard, first British golf open, 'Rip Van Winkle' premiers in New York City, first inter-club soccer match in England, and first iron-clad warship set sail in Britain. 

With all this activity around the world, in the United States a "freezing of ideas" has shaped the debate throughout the year.  And ideas only harden as the cold becomes more bitter. 

There was no hope of thawing, although many thought some compromises would eventually be struck.  There were no " Chinook winds" this time around.  The bitter Arctic Winds gripped the country.  The long harsh winter of the Civil War began with a subtle movement of troops and an over-anxious South--a quick-freeze of sorts.  And before one knew it, our country was in a "blizzard."  And although the war would last over 4 years, the "cold war" would last over a century until a thawing spring of Civil Rights legislation in the 1960's would begin a new chapter of "spring in America." 

As we close out this year on our journey together, may the "hearth" of our homes keep fresh the precious thoughts of Liberty which have guided our Country for nearly 4 centuries.  In ten years we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims.