How about a ball in honor of George Washington's birthday -
The original version of the holiday was in commemoration of George
Washington's birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency).
Washington, according to the calendar that has been used since at least the
mid-18th century, was born on February 22, 1732. According to the old style
calendar in use back then, however, he was born on February 11. At least in
1796, many Americans celebrated his birthday on the 22nd while others marked
the occasion on the 11th instead.
By the early 19th century, Washington's Birthday had taken firm root in the
American experience as a bona fide national holiday. Its traditions
included Birthnight Balls in various regions, speeches and receptions given
by prominent public figures, and a lot of revelry in taverns throughout the
land. Then along came Abraham Lincoln, another revered president and fellow
February baby (born on the 12th of the month). The first formal observance
of his birthday took place in 1865, the year after his assassination, when
both houses of Congress gathered for a memorial address. While Lincoln's
Birthday did not become a federal holiday like George Washington's, it did
become a legal holiday in several states.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Agnes Gawne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:03 PM
Subject: [h-cost] 1867 Washington DC Fashion question
My brother sent me a question about fashion in 1867 - specifically
regarding a ball in Washington DC. Do any of you have any idea why an
1867 woman would powder her hair or wear a blue ribbon around her neck?
Here is the original quote. It's taken from the letters of John Hay. He
was Abraham Lincoln's private secretary all during the Lincoln
administration and then got sent to France as a diplomatic attache during
the Johnson administration. He wrote about the ball in DC in February
1867 when he'd just returned from Paris.
begin quote:
"February 11. Mrs. Sprague gave a beautiful ball. The ladies who
danced the Cotillon, and many who did not, had their hair powdered a
la marquise. I have never seen so beautiful and picturesque a
roomful. Some of the most striking were the Hostess herself (with
whom I danced), the Hoyts, Miss Romain Goddard, Miss Haggerty, and
Mrs. Banks, who was very correctly dressed, even to the extend of the
blue ribbon around the neck, a little refinement in which she was
alone -- Miss Kinzie, a fresh Western beauty and a superb danseuse.
Mrs. Sumner and Miss Hooper, though not powdered, were beautifully
dressed."
:end quote
I have my theories but I don't want to influence any of your answers as
they are just theories.
Thanks,
Agnes
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