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Today in History
History's Happenings for May 26
Johnson Impeachment Fails
In a storm of political intrigue, President Andrew Johnson, who had succeeded President Lincoln upon his assassination three years earlier, was impeached by the House of Representatives in the spring of 1868. Johnson was accused of firing Secretary of War Edward M. Stanton, who had powerful friends in Congress, and who had been protected in his job by the recent Tenure In Office Act. While a capable Secretary of War, Stanton had been a disloyal subordinate for Lincoln, and was even worse for Johnson, who had retained Lincoln's cabinet. Thus Johnson was accused of breaking the law -- of "high crimes and misdemeanors". In his subsequent trial in the Senate, presided over by Chief Justice Salmon Chase, the needed two-thirds majority to convict failed by one vote, and Johnson was acquitted.
Martin Luther Banned by Edict
(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
Confederate Army in the West Surrenders
(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
First Oil Strike in Middle East
(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
Evacuation of Dunkirk Begins
(Stay tuned for a write-up on this event.
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