u/SignalRelease4562

On October 6, 1817, with President James Monroe officiating, the cornerstone was laid for the first building on the University of Virginia grounds. Former presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison looked on, as did various dignitaries and many curious townspeople. The University, however, did not yet exist. The building under construction was that of Central College.

Sources: https://academics.umw.edu/jamesmonroepapers/biography/chronology/#:~:text=presided%20at%20laying%20of%20cornerstone%20of%20University%20of%20Virginia

https://www.monticello.org/encyclopedia/construction-university-1817-1826#:~:text=On%20October%206,Central%20College.

https://www.monticello.org/encyclopedia/timeline-founding-university-virginia#:~:text=On%20October%206,truly%20heroic%20acts.%E2%80%9D

https://colonnadeclubuva.com/about/#:~:text=On%20October%206%2C%201817%2C%20the%20cornerstone%20of%20the%20University%20of%20Virginia%20was%20placed%20at%20Pavilion%20VII%20in%20a%20ceremony%20attended%20by%20Presidents%20Jefferson%2C%20Madison%2C%20and%20Monroe.%20Originally%2C%20the%20Pavilion%20was%20used%20as%20a%20library%20before%20serving%20as%20home%20to%20three%20professors%20in%20succession.

The Convention met from October 5, 1829 – January 15, 1830, and elected former president James Monroe of Loudoun its presiding officer.

Sources: https://academics.umw.edu/jamesmonroepapers/biography/calendar/october/#:~:text=5%20October%201829%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0%20took%20seat%20as%20president%20of%20Virginia%20constitutional%20convention

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Constitutional_Convention_of_1829%E2%80%931830#:~:text=The%20Convention%20met%20from%20October%205%2C%201829%20%E2%80%93%20January%2015%2C%201830%2C%20and%20elected%20former%20president%20James%20Monroe%20of%20Loudoun%20its%20presiding%20officer.

Image Sources: https://juhaszillustration.com/editorial-art-2/

https://juhaszillustration.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Founders-and-Drinking.jpg

I bought the book James Monroe: An Illustrated History by Daniel Preston on Amazon because I was curious to see what pictures and illustrations of James Monroe I would see and learn more about him and the pictures. Also, it was the last “New” condition book on Amazon and bought it on time.

The book I bought it from: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1575101386/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1575101386&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Picture 1: James Monroe 1817 Goodwill Tour

Picture 2: James Monroe 1824-1825 Painting by Rembrandt Peale

Picture 3: James Monroe Painting (Close Up) by Rembrandt Peale

Picture 4: James Monroe 1818 Painting by Charles Wilson Peale

Picture 5: James Monroe Painting by Robert Walter Weir

Picture 6: James Monroe Engraving by Alonzo Chapel

Picture 7: James Monroe Visited the Connecticut Asylum in 1817

Picture 8: James Monroe Statue in Rapid City, South Dakota

Picture 9: James Monroe (Old Version) by Two Party Opera

Picture 10: Era of Good Feelings (James Monroe) by Dana Ellyn

James Spence Monroe (1799-1800), the second of the Monroe children, only lived to be 16 months old. His death left the family devastated. He is buried in Richmond.

One day later, he wrote a letter to James Madison about the death of his son.

Sources: https://academics.umw.edu/jamesmonroepapers/biography/james-spence-monroe/

https://academics.umw.edu/jamesmonroepapers/biography/chronology/#:~:text=28%20September%201800,Spence%20Monroe%20died

https://highland.org/monroe-timeline/#:~:text=1800%20%E2%80%93%20September%2028%2C%20death%20of%20James%20Spence%3B

https://www.reddit.com/r/James_Monroe/comments/1lqzaok/monroes_heartbreaking_letter_about_the_death_of/

On this same date in 1808, the Monroes had cause to celebrate. Their daughter Eliza married George Hay, a prominent Virginia lawyer, who was 21 years older than Eliza. They proved to be a well-matched and companionable couple. George Hay eventually became a close confidant of James Monroe.

Monroe was pleased with the match. "Her connection with Mr Hay was every way agreable to us. To great talents in his profession & of a political nature, & perfect morality, he adds the most amiable qualities of the domestick kind. We live near each other a circumstance which will keep us much more in this town than we shod otherwise be."

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158458984418636&set=pb.100063868425537.-2207520000

https://academics.umw.edu/jamesmonroepapers/biography/calendar/september/#:~:text=Spence%20Monroe%20died-,28%20September%201808,-Eliza%20Monroe%20married

https://highland.org/monroe-timeline/#:~:text=1808%20%E2%80%93%20September%2C%20marriage%20of%20Eliza%20to%20George%20Hay%20at%20Highland

Image Source: https://www.zazzle.com/era_of_good_feelings_coaster-256440418236789862?srsltid=AU7gw4WUtJNuduonLeyPXQl1ubXLrFwBq2tC6pnP42YxdH3hwkje4YJW

From left to right: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Mr. Beat, Chris from Vlogging Through History, James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams

When I was looking at Tails' Skypatrol's release date, I noticed that it shares the same day with James Monroe, my favorite US President, and it made me really surprised to see my favorite character's game release and my favorite President's birthday happen on the same day (April 28th)!

1st Picture: r/Presidents was created on April 13th, 2009, and it lands on Thomas Jefferson's 266th birthday.

2nd Picture: My favorite Sonic character, Tails, had a game called "Tails' Skypatrol" released on April 28, 1995, which lands on James Monroe's (my favorite President's) 237th birthday!

3rd Picture: James K. Polk and Warren G. Harding share a birthday on November 2nd! James K. Polk on November 2nd, 1795 and Warren G. Harding on November 2nd, 1865.

4th Picture: Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th, 1872, which also lands on the 46th death anniversary of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and the 41st death anniversary of James Monroe.

5th Picture: Barack Obama's Reddit account was created on August 27th, 2012, which also lands on Lyndon B. Johnson's 104th birthday.

6th Picture: Jimmy Carter died on December 29th, 2024 and it lands on Andrew Johnson's 216th birthday.

The Presidents that are featured in this Two Party Opera Comic.

George Washington and James Madison

Source of the Comic: https://www.twopartyopera.com/comic/forethought/

Listen, we've still got four more months before we say goodbye to the 250th and we're gonna make it count! And you know what? Probably nobody would be more excited about the 250th than the subject of this week's collections spotlight, the Marquis de Lafayette.

Throughout his political career, James Monroe consciously evoked the aim and the spirit of the Revolution. Bringing General Marquis de Lafayette back to the United States was one of the instrumental ways that Monroe reminded the public of his own connection to the nation’s founding conflict--and its heroes. From July 1824 to September 1825 Lafayette travelled the country as "The Nation's Guest" to much fanfare. This commemorative transfer-printed platter offers a glimpse at the excitement over this important event in Monroe’s president. On it, you can spy galloping mounted officers, celebratory cannon-fire over the bustling harbor, and a large, waving American flag.

There are many such souvenirs from Lafayette's visit, but this one is particularly special because it was owned by Monroe himself. How would the kids say it? Kinda chic to own a souvenir of an event you made happen?

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1432180258870060&set=a.548112680610160

Source: https://www.philipsemanorhall.com/cochran-collection