History Blog

Finally Number 1

The Number 1 Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 1.Burning River Cleveland (June 22, 1969). The Cuyahoga River caught fire - or at least debris and combustible fluid floating in the river caught fire.  The event did not gather much attention, since the river had caught fire at least 9 times before and since […]

Now for Number 2

The 2nd Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 2.The Toledo-Michigan Border War Toledo (1835). In 1835, a long-standing dispute between Ohio and the Michigan Territory over a section of Ohios poorly-drawn northern boundary boiled over, with both sides sending in militia. An attempted arrest in Toledo by the Monroe County, Michigan deputy sheriff of […]

Now for Number 3

The 3rd Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 3. Ohio Admitted to the Union... in 1953 Columbus (1953). In 1953, during festivities celebrating Ohio's sesquicentennial, Ohio's congressional delegation asked the National Archives for the formal resolution declaring Ohio's admission to the Union.  When no resolution was found; it was discovered that such a resolution […]

Now for Number 4

The 4th Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 4. Escape Columbus (November 27, 1863). Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his command were captured on July 26, 1863, near Salineville, Ohio, after a long raid stretching from Kentucky, into Indiana and all across southern Ohio.  Morgan and most of his officers were imprisoned at […]

Now for Number 5

Now for Number 6

The 6th Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 6. Traitor Runs for Governor Canada (1863). Clement Vallandingham, a Congressman from Dayton, opposed the Civil War.  He was voted out in 1862, but continued to make speeches calling for the end of the war on the basis that secession was acceptable and slavery was Constitutional.  In […]

Now for Number 7

Now for Number 8…

The 8th Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is 8. Newark Board of Trade Finds a Curious Way to Save An Earthwork Editors Note: You may have noticed that this blog posting was originally posted yesterday as the number 10 Most Embarrassing Moment in Ohio's History. The original title, Well Celebrate the Moonrise on the […]

Now for Number 9…

And the countdown begins with 10

The Tenth Most Embarrassing Moment of Ohio History is... 10. Ohio Antiquities are Treasured in London Chillicothe (January 1864). Edwin Davis, Chillicothe physician and co-author with Ephraim Squier of Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley (the first publication of the Smithsonian Institution), after being unable to interest the Smithsonian or any other American museum or […]