her life spans antebellum america to the progressive era of the early 20th century. a supporter of women's rights and deeply interested in partisan politics, she and president james garfield entered the white house on march 4 1881, after a very close election. however, what plans she had as first lady were soon cut short by an assassin's bullet. good evening, and welcome to c-span's series "first ladies: influence and image." tonight we'll learn about lucretia garfield. and after the assassination, the next person to come into the white house, chester arthur, who did so without a first lady, and we'll learn how he handled that. to help us understand this interesting period in american history, carl anthony, who is the historian at the national first ladies library in canton ohio, he's also the author of "america's first families." well, carl anthony, the circumstances of the garfields' election in 1880 really helped to seal the president's fate. so tell us the story of where the party politics were at that time. anthony: well, you know, so many of the large issues th

her life spans antebellum america to the progressive era of the early 20th century.upporter of women's rights and deeply interested in partisan politics, she and president james garfield entered the white house on march 4, 1881 after a very close election. however, what plans she had as first lady were soon cut short by an assassin's bullet. good evening, and welcome to "first ladies: influence and image." after the assassination, the next person to come into the white house, chester arthur, did not have a first lady. to help us understand, we have carl anthony. he is the author of "america's first families." the circumstances of james garfield's election helped to seal the president's fate. tell us the story of where the party politics were at the time. guest: so many of the large issues that had continued in post-civil war era were really in large mode put to rest. the transcontinental railroad by this time had been completed the troops had been removed from the south during reconstruction. a lot of focus was basically on power and money, and that struggle within t

kingdom in nicaragua, these are adjusting events that they quite a bit about the politics of antebellum america. one of the big research questions that i think is still waiting to be answered is what is it that connects the filibustering of the 19th century, this proslavery effort to expand united states and 1898 when the united states really enters the war between cuba becoming independent, and spain. what is it that connects these, anyone looking for a dissertation, that is a good one. ask minas katherine stout with st. louis university and you guys set me up nicely, actually am a 20th century historian. i study social movements in the u.s. south of the british caribbean since world war ii. i particularly look at how the civil rights movement and the decolonization of many of the british caribbean countries were interlinked. i'm wondering how we can help push this narrative forward or missed on the conversation because i was really excited, each of you were representing a different century. i'm wondering if we get thing about ideas in the 20th century i love how you unpacked exceptionalism an

america, you really do get a feel of what real true patriotism is. >> and that was charles kelly from the country music group lady antebellum. here are some other folks you might recognize on why they're proud to be americans. >> the spirit of the american people. you know, american people believe that they can accomplish anything. and it's just part of our culture. it's part of our dna. >> what makes me proud to be american? it's so many things. i mean, but obviously you know, to have the opportunity to pursue my happiness. >> i'm so blessed to just be an american woman. i wake up in the morning and i get to do what i want with my day. i get to do what i want with my life. that's a privilege and a luxury that so many people are denied. >> so many things. i mean, it's the opportunities of the country. this country's given us. and the fact that we are an immigrant nation. we can bring in a lot of things under a big tent when we're at our best. >> the spirit and freedom of the country and being able to express. >> it's a wonderful country. we're very lucky to live here. >> troops, bob saget here. happy, safe, healthy fourth of

america, you really do get a feel of what real true patriotism is. >> and that was charles kelly from the country music group lady antebellum.are some other folks you might recognize on why they're proud to be americans. >> the spirit of the american people. you know, american people believe that they can accomplish anything. and it's just part of our culture. it's part of our dna. >> what makes me proud to be american? it's so many things. i mean, but obviously you know, to have the opportunity to pursue my happiness. >> i'm so blessed to just be an american woman. i wake up in the morning and i get to do what i want with my day. i get to do what i want with my life. that's a privilege and a luxury that so many people are denied. >> so many things. i mean, it's the opportunities of the country. this country's given us. and the fact that we are an immigrant nation. we can bring in a lot of things under a big tent when we're at our best. >> the spirit and freedom of the country and being able to express. >> it's a wonderful country. we're very lucky to live here. >> troops, bob saget here. happy, safe, healthy fourth of july.