History Matters in March: Books That Illuminate the Past

ARLINGTON, Va. - EntSun -- by Michael F. Bishop for David Bruce Smith's Grateful American Book Prize

The Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln

On March 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated for a second presidential term. The day was cold and dreary, but the nation– exhausted from the Civil war–waited for him with anticipation. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered in the damp and muddy grounds on the east front of the Capitol, now topped by its new gleaming dome.

For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends Lincoln's Greatest Speech by Ronald C. White, Jr.
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The Boston Massacre

On March 5, 1770, shots were heard in Boston, Massachusetts, which stirred a revolution.

The Seven Years' War with France had left Britain with enormous debt. To recover costs, Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765 and the Townshend Acts in 1767, to impose duties on imported goods such as tea, glass, paper, and paint. Colonists, especially in Boston, protested under the slogan "no taxation without representation," viewing these measures as violations of their rights as Englishmen. Riots and attacks on customs officials followed, prompting the British to station troops in Boston in 1768 to enforce order and protect officials. The presence of soldiers—often poorly paid and quartered among hostile civilians—heightened friction, with frequent brawls between the troops and the town.

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For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends The Boston Massacre: A Family History by Serena Zabin.
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History Matters is a feature courtesy of the Grateful American Book Prize. For more book recommendations, information about the annual award, or to submit a book for the 2026 Grateful American Book Prize, visit https://gratefulamericanbookprize.org/.