Many factors enabled a fledgling Republican Party to capture the White House in 1860 but a chief reason may have been the division of the Democrats into three parties.

Mar 15, 2009 - Michael Streich

The 1860 U.S. presidential election was one of the most contentious ever. Four candidates vied for the nation's highest office. The underdog, Abraham Lincoln, won.

Mar 12, 2009 - Ashley Waggoner

Although adversaries during the Illinois Senate race as well as the presidential campaign of 1860, Lincoln & Douglas fought together to preserve the Union.

Apr 13, 2010 - Michael Streich

Galbraith on the Tualatin River, originally settled by pioneers in 1852, continued to enjoy economic growth and development in the 1860's and 1870's.

Feb 3, 2011 - Lynne Thompson

A 422-acre campus features four museums, four historic homes, living history demonstrations and an important battlefield.

Nov 20, 2009 - Mike Virgintino

Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois had coveted the presidency for many years yet the events of 1860, focusing on the expansion of slavery, would deny him that dream.

Mar 26, 2010 - Michael Streich

HMS Warrior 1860 revolutionised ship building forever as the world's first iron hulled warship. Her journey from ship of the line to museum is a fascinating one.

Jul 9, 2009 - Cheney Anne Markun

Three viable contenders, in the Primaries, belonged to an interesting set of minority groups; Women: Hillary Clinton, African-American: Barack Obama, Aged: John McCain.

Feb 29, 2008 - Roger Saunders

The National Museum of Scotland dedicates a special exhibition to this Scot, a daring Naval Commander and fiery Member of Parliament.

Oct 7, 2011 - Valerie Wilson

Chicago has hosted over a score of national political conventions--but the most important was the first. Abraham Lincoln went on to become President.

Jun 28, 2010 - Eric Niderost

The ability to compromise reflects the genius of the democratic system but in 1860 it failed due to party extremists, leading the nation into Civil War.

Jul 30, 2011 - Michael Streich

American Presidential elections generally produce a clear preference among candidates. But the winners of close races have produced history-altering results.

Oct 31, 2008 - David Hornestay

These two Presidential elections where the most momentous in American history. One election helped to cause the Civil war, the other held during it.

Jul 8, 2010 - Mark Bunn

A year ago Britain's pundits had written Prime Minister Gordon Brown's political obituary, now it seems he may hang onto his job with the help of others

Apr 26, 2010 - Rupert Taylor

The U.S election on November 4, 2008, will be historic in its own right as Americans choose either the first black man as President or a woman as Vice President.

Oct 31, 2008 - Kathy Quan

An unusual border dispute, the birth of the auto industry, and the birth of the Republican party are defining moments in history for the state of Michigan.

Jan 31, 2011 - Marquis Canaday

Few presidential elections have been quite as close, as dramatic or as controversial as the 1960 election between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy turned out to be.

Mar 4, 2008 - Isaac M. McPhee

The entrenched nature of the Plantation Complex meant that any effort to "reconstruct" the southern social order would be fraught with difficulty.

May 4, 2011 - Douglas Harvey

Revolutionary War History abounds in New Jersey. It seems fitting that battlegrounds would provide a rich history for a governor's mansion named "Drumthwacket".

May 21, 2009 - Eleanore Whitaker

The election of Abraham Lincoln started a Southern stampede towards secession and the creation of a Confederacy. But Southerners were not always united.

Jun 28, 2010 - Eric Niderost