Top 10 Significant Presidential Elections in American History

Source: http://americanhistory.about.com |

Will the 2008 presidential election be considered one of the most significant presidential elections in US history? It is impossible to judge the importance of any presidential election until time has passed. However, the election is truly an historic one with the nomination of the first African-American candidate by a major political party. In order to be included in this list of the top ten presidential elections, a significant event had to impact the election's outcome or the election needed to result in a significant shift in party or policy.

1. Election of 1800

This presidential election is the most significant in US history because of its far reaching impact on electoral policies. The electoral college system from the Constitution broke down allowing Burr, the VP candidate to be in contention for the presidency against Thomas Jefferson. It was decided in the House after twenty-six ballots. Significance: The 12th Amendment was added changing the electoral process. Further, a peaceful exchange of political power occurred (Federalists out, Democratic-Republicans in.)

2. Election of 1860

The presidential election of 1860 demonstrated the necessity of taking a side on slavery. The newly formed Republican party adopted an anti-slavery platform that led to a narrow victory for Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest president in US history and also set the die for secession. Individuals who once associated with the Democratic or Whig parties yet who were anti-slavery realigned to join the Republicans. Those who were pro-slavery from the other noncommittal parties joined the Democrats. Significance: The election of Lincoln was the straw that broke the camel's back and led to the secession of eleven states.

3. Election of 1932

Another shift in political parties occurred with the presidential election of 1932. Franklin Roosevelt's Democratic Party came to power by forming the New Deal coalition that united groups that previously had not been associated with the same party. These included urban workers, northern African-Americans, Southern whites, and Jewish voters. Today's Democratic Party is still largely comprised of this coalition. Significance: A new coalition and realignment of political parties occurred that would help shape future policies and elections.

4. Election of 1896

The presidential election of 1896 demonstrated a sharp division in society between urban and rural interests. William Jennings Bryan (Democrat) was able to form a coalition that answered the call of progressive groups and rural interests including the indebted farmers and those arguing against the gold standard. William McKinley's victory was significant because it highlights the shift from America as an agrarian nation to one of urban interests. Significance: The election highlights the changes that were occurring in American society at the turn of the 19th century.

5. Election of 1828

The presidential election of 1828 is often pointed to as the 'rise of the common man'. It has been called the 'Revolution of 1828'. After the Corrupt Bargain of 1824 when Andrew Jackson was defeated, an upwelling of support arose against back room deals and candidates chosen by caucus. At this point in American history, the nominating of candidates became more democratic as conventions replaced caucuses. Significance: Andrew Jackson was the first president not born of privilege. The election was the first time that individuals began to fight against corruption in politics.

6. Election of 1876

This election ranks higher than other disputed elections because it is set against the backdrop of Reconstruction. Samuel Tilden led in popular and electoral votes but was one shy of the necessary votes to win. The existence of disputed electoral votes led to the Compromise of 1877. A commission was formed and voted along party lines, awarding Rutherford B. Hayes(Republican) the presidency. It is believed that Hayes agreed to end Reconstruction and recall all troops from the South in exchange for the presidency. Significance: The election of Hayes meant the end of Reconstruction.

7. Election of 1824

The Election of 1824 is known as the 'Corrupt Bargain'. The lack of an electoral majority resulted in the election being decided in the House. It is believed that a deal was made giving the office to John Quincy Adams in exchange for Henry Clay becoming Secretary of State. Significance: Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but lost because of this bargain. Significance: The election's backlash catapulted Jackson to the presidency in 1828. Further, the Democratic-Republican Party split in two.

8. Election of 1912

The reason why the presidential election of 1912 is included here is to show the impact that a third party can have on the outcome of an election. When Theodore Roosevelt broke from the Republicans to form the Bull Moose Party, he hoped to win back the presidency. His presence on the ballot split the Republican vote resulting in a win for the Democrat, Woodrow Wilson. This would be significant because Wilson led the nation during World War I and staunchly fought for the 'League of Nations'. Significance: Third parties cannot necessarily win American elections but they can spoil them.

9. Election of 2000

The Election of 2000 came down to the electoral college and specifically the vote in Florida. Because of the controversy over the recount in Florida, the Gore campaign sued to have a manual recount. This was significant because it was the first time the Supreme Court got involved in an electoral decision. It decided that the votes should stand as counted and the electoral votes for the state were awarded to George W. Bush. He won the presidency without winning the popular vote. Significance: The after-effects of the 2000 election can still be felt in everything from constantly evolving voting machines to greater scrutiny of elections themselves.

10. Election of 1796

After George Washington's retirement, there was no unanimous choice for president. The presidential election of 1796 demonstrated that the fledgling democracy could work. One man stepped aside, and a peaceful election occurred resulting in John Adams as president. One side effect of this election which would become more significant in 1800 was that due to the electoral process, arch-rival Thomas Jefferson became Adams' Vice President. Significance: The election proved that American electoral system worked.

The 10 Top Dinosaur Discoveries of 2010

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Top 10 Most Important Ancient Discoveries in London

Source:http://heritage-key.com | Beneath the vast urban sprawl of London, there’s literally layer-upon-layer of rich archaeological history. It tells the story of a city with origins that stretch back as far as 47 AD – and the Roman occupation of Britain – and a site of human settlement that’s many thousands of years older still.
Because of the densely-packed architectural layout of central London – site of Roman Londinium and Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic – most archaeological digs have had to take place opportunistically during building or other engineering works. They’ve turned up some fascinating finds – such as the evidence of the warpath of Queen Boudicca in 60 AD, found during work on the Jubilee Underground line, and the remains of the old Anglo-Saxon city, unearthed ahead of the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden between 1996 and 1998.
We take a look ten of the most important ancient discoveries made in London to date. If you think there are any important finds that we’ve missed, as ever, leave us a comment at the bottom.

1. Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre at the Museum of London

Location: Guildhall, City of London
Year of discovery: 1985
Description: The remains of a Roman amphitheatre were uncovered beneath London’s medieval Guildhall during ambitious archaeological excavations carried out between 1985 and 1999. The structure – in use from the 1st to the 4th century AD – was the largest of its kind in Roman Britain.

2. Tomb of an Anglo-Saxon King

Location: Prittlewell, Southend
Year of discovery: 2004
Description: The array of extraordinary goods found in this Anglo-Saxon grave – including bronze cauldrons, gold foil crosses, glass jars, copper buckles, a sword and a shield – have led archaeologists to conclude that it must have been the final resting place of a very important individual, possibly even a king. Two possible Anglo-Saxon monarchs have been suggested – King Saebert, who converted to Christianity in 604 AD and died in 616 AD, or King Sigeberht II, who converted in 653 AD.

An archaeologist getting good and mucky in the dig for London's oldest wooden structure. Picture - Archaeology South-East.

3. London’s Earliest Timber Structure

Location: Greenwich, South East London
Year of discovery: 2009
Description: A 6,000 year-old (that’s 500 years earlier than Stonehenge) wooden platform or trackway, found buried 4.7 metres deep in a peat bog adjacent to Belmarsh Prison. It would have used by prehistoric settlers to cross tricky boggy-patches when heading out into the Thames wetlands to hunt and gather food.

4. Anglo-Saxon London

Location: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Year of discovery: 1996-1998
Description: Ahead of a major renovation works of the Royal Opera House, archaeologists were given a unique opportunity to investigate part of the area of old (6-9th century AD) Anglo-Saxon London – or Lundenwic. They discovered evidence of a far more substantial, well laid-out, and densely populated city than previously had been considered, with a grid system of roads, a money economy and a population of 10-12,000.

5. First Foundation of Roman London

Location: No 1. Poultry, City of London
Year of discovery: 2000
Description: London’s most expensive archaeological dig – undertaken by the Museum of London Archeological Service (MOLAS) – took place during the construction of the controversial No 1. Poultry Building. It was worth every penny, since several significant discoveries – including a wooden drain along the main Roman road – were made. Dated to 47 AD using dendrochronology, it’s thought to give the date of the founding of Roman Londinium.

6. Boudicca’s Revenge Across the Thames

Location: Just south of London Bridge, Southwark
Year of discovery: 1995
Description: The extent of Queen of the Brittonic Iceni tribe Boudicca’s bloody revolt against the occupying Romans during in the 1st century AD was believed to have spread no further south than the Thames (see our video about Boudicca's bloody history here).

That was, until the discovery of a layer of burnt ash and timber along the route of a Roman road in Southwark (found during the tunneling of the Jubilee Underground line) dating from around 60 AD – the time of Boudicca’s rampage, which saw the slaughter of around 70 000 Romans and the burning of Londinium.

7. Anglo-Saxon Cemetery

Location: Covent Garden
Year of discovery: 2008
Description: The discovery of this Anglo-Saxon cemetery – in the area of Lundenwic (an area roughly approximate with the city's West End) – forced archaeologists to reassess the age of Anglo-Saxon London. Previously it was thought to have been founded in 650 AD, but radiocarbon dating of remains found in the graveyard forced that estimate back 100 years, to 550 AD. The quality of some artefacts discovered also suggested that the settlement was relatively wealthy and cosmopolitan from its first days.

8. Roman Cathedral

Location: Tower Hill, Tower Hamlets
Year of discovery: 1995
Description: Built out of masonry reused from other buildings in the late Roman period – between 350 AD and 400 AD – and burned down in the 5th century AD, this Roman cathedral must have been massive. Its remains suggest it was like a larger version of the church of St Thecla in Milan – the biggest church in the then-capital of the Roman Empire. It may have been erected by Magnus Maximus, western emperor between 383 AD and 388 AD.

The remains of a Roman bridge were found near London Bridge. Image credit - Wally Gobetz.

 

9. Roman Bridge

Location: Near London Bridge, City of London
Year of discovery: 1981
Description: This massive pier base of a Roman bridge, discovered in the Thames, is believed to be the remains of the original London Bridge. It would have been made from wood, and proven vital to supplying important settlements further north – such as Colchester – from landing points in southern England. Around this crossing point, Londinium began to spring-up.

10. The King’s Highway

Location: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Year of discovery: 1996-1998
Description: One of the key parts of Anglo-Saxon Lundenwic found during the excavation of the Royal Opera House was the so-called King’s Highway. This was a solid gravel road, a metre thick (far superior to its many side-roads) that would have been built and maintained at the public’s expense and function as the city’s main thoroughfare.

 

Top 10: Remarkable Shipwreck Discoveries

Source: http://totallytop10.com |
What is lost at sea usually stays that way. But every now and then discoveries are made. Here are ten remarkable shipwrecks you might not have heard of. Most of them have become famous wreck diving spots so for all you divers and maritime history nuts; Enjoy!

10. RMS Rhone

The RMS Rhone was one of the first iron hulled ships and it was used to transport mail, cargo, and passengers between the Caribbean and England. In 1867, the ship wrecked during a hurricane of the coast of Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands. The wreck is now a very popular dive site; the hull is encrusted with coral and a variety of marine life inhabits the wreck.

9. SS Thistlegorm

In 1941, this British Merchant Navy ship was sunk by a German bomb in the Egyptian Red Sea. The wreck was discovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau in the early 50s and later became a popular dive site. Trucks, motorcycles, rifles, and many other items can be found when exploring the ship’s holds.

8. SS Yongala

When this passenger ship got hit by a cyclone on March 23, 1911, it sank and all 122 passengers perished in the waters off the coast of Cape Bowling Green, Australia. This 110 meter long ship is one of the largest shipwrecks and is visited by over 10,000 divers every year due to the vast array of marine life.

7. Rainbow Warrior

This Greenpeace-owned ship was intended to lead a protest against French nuclear testing in French Polynesia. However, on July 10, 1985, French intelligence agents sabotaged these plans by detonating two bombs and sinking the ship. The wreck is now popular with divers, dolphins and manta rays are common sights.

6. SS President Coolidge

This 199 meter long luxury ocean liner sunk in 1941 when it hit a mine in the South Pacific, off the coast of Vanuatu. It is now a popular dive spot because the ship is mostly intact and lies in relatively shallow water.

5. Fujikawa Maru

Truk Lagoon in Micronesia is the home to many shipwrecks, including this Japanese freighter that was sunk in 1944 by a torpedo. Divers come to see the hold full of Zero fighter planes and the other assorted artifacts, including fossilized sake bottles.

4. USS Oriskany

In May 2006, this former US Navy aircraft carrier was deliberately sunk in the Gulf of Mexico, 37 km off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. At 275 meters long, it is the world’s largest artificial reef.

3. L.R. Doty

This wooden steamship disappeared near Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 25, 1898, during a violent storm on Lake Michigan. It was recently discovered, 112 years later, on June 25, 2010. Divers found the wreck, along with its cargo of corn, perfectly preserved by the cold fresh waters. In addition, at 90 meters below the surface, it is deep enough that the wreck is not disturbed by storms.

2. Skeleton Coast

This section of the Atlantic coast in Namibia is littered with the remains of thousands of ships that have wrecked due to the heavy surf and even heavier winds. Many of the wrecks are at least partially covered by sand and some are completely buried, with only the mast visible. While it was once a treacherous place, Skeleton Coast National Park is now a popular tourist area, due to the shipwrecks, as well as the variety of wildlife that can be found further inland.

1. Whydah Galley

This 31 meter long galley was the flagship of the pirate Sam “Black Sam” Bellamy. On April 26, 1717, the Whydah Galley was pummeled by a heavy storm and sunk off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The wreck was discovered in 1985, along with the thousands of artifacts on board. The ship’s inscription, “THE WHYDAH GALLEY 1716“, makes this wreck the only positively identified pirate shipwreck in history.