James Strom Thurmond (December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and as a United States Senator. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Thomas Albert Wofford ( September 27, 1908 - February 25, 1978) was a United States Senator from South Carolina. Lindsey Olin Graham (born July 9, 1955) is an American Politician from South Carolina. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Thomas Albert Wofford ( September 27, 1908 - February 25, 1978) was a United States Senator from South Carolina. The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the Head of state for the State of South Carolina. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January George Bell Timmerman Jr ( August 11, 1912 November 29, 1994) was a Democratic Governor of South Carolina from 1955 to Ransome Judson Williams ( January 4, 1892 January 7, 1970) was Democratic Governor of South Carolina from 1945 to 1947 James Francis Byrnes ( May 2, 1879 April 9, 1972) was an American statesman from the state of South Carolina. The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Warren Grant "Maggie" Magnuson ( April 12, 1905 – May 20, 1989) was a United States Senator of the Democratic Party John Cornelius Stennis ( August 3, 1901 – April 23, 1995) was a U Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. The States' Rights Democratic Party (commonly known as the Dixiecrats) was a segregationist, socially conservative Political party The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most Historians as the greatest election Upset in American history. Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Fielding Lewis Wright ( May 16, 1895 – May 4, 1956) was a Democratic politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Thomas Edmund Dewey ( March 24, 1902 – March 16, 1971) was the Governor of New York (1943-1955 and the unsuccessful Republican Henry Agard Wallace (October 7 1888 &ndash November 18 1965 was the thirty-third Vice President of the United States (1941&ndash45 the eleventh Secretary of The United States Progressive Party of 1948 was a political party that ran former Vice President Henry A The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1902 ( MCMII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Edgefield is a town in Edgefield County, South Carolina, United States. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Edgefield is a town in Edgefield County, South Carolina, United States. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. The States' Rights Democratic Party (commonly known as the Dixiecrats) was a segregationist, socially conservative Political party The Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC) is a United States -based mostly conservative Christian denomination Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1902 ( MCMII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives He also ran for the presidency of the United States in 1948 under the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party banner. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most Historians as the greatest election Upset in American history. The States' Rights Democratic Party (commonly known as the Dixiecrats) was a segregationist, socially conservative Political party He garnered 39 electoral votes in that election. The Electoral College consists of 538 popularly elected representatives who formally select the President and Vice President of the United States. He later represented South Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954 to April 1956 and November 1956 to 1964 as a Democrat and from 1964 to 2003 as a Republican. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. He served as Senator through his 90s, and left office at age 100 as the oldest serving and longest-serving senator in U.S. history (although he was later surpassed in the latter by Robert C. Byrd). This is a list of United States Congressmen by longevity of service Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. [1] Thurmond holds the record for the longest serving Dean of the United States Senate in U. The Dean of the United States Senate is the longest-serving (in consecutive terms United States Senator. S. history at 14 years. He conducted the longest filibuster ever by a U. A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body S. Senator in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Civil Rights Act of 1957, primarily a voting rights bill was the first Civil rights legislation enacted by Congress in the United States since He later moderated his position on race, but continued to defend his early segregationist campaigns on the basis of states' rights;[2] he never fully renounced his earlier viewpoints. States' rights refers to the idea in US politics and constitutional law, that U [3][4] He was the third U. S. Senator to reach age 100 but the only one to do it while still in office.
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Early life and career
James Strom Thurmond was born on December 5, 1902, in Edgefield, South Carolina, the son of John William Thurmond and Eleanor Gertrude Strom. Edgefield is a town in Edgefield County, South Carolina, United States. He attended Clemson College (now Clemson University), where he was a member of ΠΚΑ, graduating in 1923 with a degree in horticulture. History Pi Kappa Alpha is an international brotherhood composed of 210 student chapters 9 colonies and 120 alumni associations Horticulture is the art and science of plant cultivation Horticulturists (or horticuluralists) work and conduct research in the fields of Plant propagation He was a farmer, teacher and athletic coach until 1929, when he became Edgefield County's superintendent of education, serving until 1933. Thurmond read law with his father and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1930. He served as the Edgefield Town and County attorney from 1930 to 1938, and joined the United States Army Reserve in 1924. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. In 1933 Thurmond was elected to the South Carolina Senate and represented Edgefield until he was elected to the Eleventh Circuit judgeship.
After the outbreak of World War II, Judge Thurmond resigned from the bench to serve in the U. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including S. Army, rising to lieutenant colonel. Lieutenant Colonel ( Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grade 's spelling is a rank of Commissioned officer in the armies In the Battle of Normandy (June 6–August 25, 1944), he crash-landed his glider with the 82nd Airborne Division. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For his military service, he received 18 decorations, medals and awards, including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Valor device, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Belgium's Order of the Crown and France's Croix de Guerre. A military decoration is a decoration given to Military personnel or units for Heroism in battle or distinguished service A medal is usually a Coin -like sculpted object of metal or other material that has been engraved with an Insignia, Portrait or other artistic rendering The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding An oak leaf cluster or oakleaves is a common device which is placed on U The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery acts of merit or meritorious service The Valor device, also known as a combat distinguishing device, V-device, "V" device, and Combat V, is an award of the The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6 The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was first created in the year 1897 The Croix de Guerre (sometimes lowercase in French Croix de guerre, meaning "Cross of War" is a military decoration of both France and
Thurmond's political career began in the days of Jim Crow laws, when South Carolina strongly resisted any attempts at integration. The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted primarily but not exclusively in the Southern and border states of the United States between 1876 and 1965 Running as a Democrat, Thurmond was elected Governor of South Carolina in 1946 and supported the state's segregation laws. The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the Head of state for the State of South Carolina.
In 1948, after President Harry S. Truman desegregated the U. S. Army and proposed the creation of a permanent Fair Employment Practices Commission, Thurmond became a candidate for President of the United States on the third party ticket of the Dixiecrat Party, which split from the national Democrats over the proposed constitutional innovation involved in federal intervention in segregation. The Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC implemented US Executive Order 8802, requiring that companies with government contracts not discriminate on the basis of race The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by In a Two-party system of politics the term third party is sometimes applied to a party other than the two dominant ones The States' Rights Democratic Party (commonly known as the Dixiecrats) was a segregationist, socially conservative Political party Thurmond carried four states and received 39 electoral votes. One 1948 speech, met with cheers by supporters, included the following:listen
| “ | I wanna tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that there's not enough troops in the army to force the Southern people to break down segregation and admit the nigger race into our theaters, into our swimming pools, into our homes, and into our churches. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive | ” |
Thurmond ran for the U. S. Senate in 1950 against Senator Olin Johnston. Olin DeWitt Talmadge Johnston ( November 18, 1896 April 18, 1965) was a Democratic Party Politician from the U Both candidates denounced President Truman during the campaign. Johnston defeated Thurmond 186,180 votes to 158,904 votes (54% to 46%). It was the only statewide election Thurmond would ever lose.
In 1952, Thurmond endorsed Republican Dwight Eisenhower for the Presidency, rather than Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general A candidate is the prospective recipient of an Award or honor or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position for example to be elected This is about the mid-20th-century politician and diplomat for other American politicians so named see Adlai Stevenson (disambiguation. This led state Democratic Party leaders to block Thurmond from receiving the nomination to the Senate in 1954, forcing him to run as a write-in candidate.
Senate career
1950s
In 1954 he became the only person ever elected to the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate, campaigning, at the recommendation of Governor James Byrnes, on the pledge to face a contested primary in the future. The 1954 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 2, 1954 to select the next U A write-in candidate is a candidate in an Election whose name does not appear on the Ballot, but for whom voters may Vote nonetheless by writing in the James Francis Byrnes ( May 2, 1879 April 9, 1972) was an American statesman from the state of South Carolina. He resigned in 1956, triggering an election. He then won the Democratic primary--in those days, the real contest in South Carolina--for the special election triggered by his own vacancy. His career in the Senate remained uninterrupted until his retirement 46 years later, despite his mid-career party switch.
Thurmond supported racial segregation with the longest filibuster ever conducted by a single Senator, speaking for 24 hours and 18 minutes in an unsuccessful attempt to derail the Civil Rights Act of 1957. A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body The Civil Rights Act of 1957, primarily a voting rights bill was the first Civil rights legislation enacted by Congress in the United States since Other Southern Senators, who had agreed as part of a compromise not to filibuster this bill, were upset with Thurmond because they thought his defiance made them look bad to their constituents. [5]
1960s
Throughout the 1960s, Thurmond generally received relatively low marks from the press and his fellow Senators in the performance of his Senate duties, as he often missed votes and rarely proposed or sponsored noteworthy legislation.
As Thurmond was increasingly at odds with the Democratic Party, on September 16, 1964 he switched his party affiliation to Republican. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. In Politics, the term party-switching refers to any change in party affiliation of a partisan public figure usually one currently holding elected office He played an important role in South Carolina's support for Republican presidential candidates Barry Goldwater in 1964 and Richard Nixon in 1968. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Please DO NOT flip the colors -->The United States presidential election of 1964 was one of the most lopsided presidential elections in the history of the United States Please DO NOT flip the colors -->The United States presidential election of 1968 was a wrenching national experience and included the assassination of Democratic candidate South Carolina and other states of the Deep South had supported the Democrats in every national election from the end of Reconstruction to 1960. The Deep South is a descriptive category of cultural and geographic subregions in the American South. However, discontent with the Democrats' increasing support for civil rights resulted in John F. Kennedy barely winning the state in 1960. John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of After Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon Johnson's strong support for the Civil Rights Act and integration angered white segregationists even more. Goldwater won South Carolina by a large margin in 1964.
In 1968, Richard Nixon ran the first GOP "Southern Strategy" campaign appealing to disaffected southern white voters. In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to a Republican method of carrying Southern states in the latter decades of the 20th century and first decade of Although segregationist Democrat George Wallace was on the ballot, Nixon ran slightly ahead of him and gained South Carolina's electoral votes. George Corley Wallace Jr (August 25 1919 September 13 1998 was a Democratic Governor of Alabama for four terms (1963-1967 1971-1979 and 1983-1987 and ran for The Electoral College consists of 538 popularly elected representatives who formally select the President and Vice President of the United States. Due to the antagonism of white SC voters towards the national Democratic Party, Hubert Humphrey received less than 30% of the total vote, carrying only majority black districts. Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr ( May 27, 1911 &ndash January 13, 1978) was the thirty-eighth Vice President of the United States, serving
At the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, Thurmond played a key role in keeping Southern delegates committed to Nixon, despite the sudden last-minute entry of California Governor Ronald Reagan into the race. The 1968 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States was held in at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, A delegate is a member of a group representing an organization (e California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Thurmond also quieted conservative fears over rumors that Nixon planned to ask either Charles Percy or Mark Hatfield — liberal Republicans — to be his running mate, by making it known to Nixon that both men were unacceptable for the vice-presidency to the South. Charles Percy may refer to Charles H Percy (1919- United States Senator and businessman Charles "Don Carlos" Percy (1704-1794 Mark Odom Hatfield (born July 12 1922 is an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. Nixon ultimately asked Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew — an acceptable choice to Thurmond — to join the ticket. Spiro Theodore Agnew ( November 9, 1918 September 17, 1996) was the thirty-ninth Vice President of the United States (and the first
At this time, too, Thurmond took the lead in thwarting Lyndon Johnson's attempt to elevate Justice Abe Fortas to the post of chief justice of the United States. Abraham Fortas ( June 19, 1910 – April 5, 1982) was a US Supreme Court associate justice. Thurmond's devotion to the original structure of the federal Constitution, coupled with his general conservatism, had left him quite unhappy with the Warren Court, and he was happy simultaneously to disappoint Johnson and to leave the task of replacing Warren to Johnson's presidential successor, Richard Nixon. Earl Warren ( March 19, 1891 July 9, 1974) was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States and the only person ever elected thrice
1970s
Thanks to his close relationship with the Nixon administration, Thurmond found himself in a position to deliver a great deal of federal money, appointments and projects to his state. With a like-minded president in the White House, Thurmond became a very effective power broker in Washington. His staffers said that he aimed to become South Carolina's "indispensable man" in D. C.
In 1976, Thurmond was torn between wanting to support incumbent President Gerald R. Ford for the Republican nomination and making good on a promise he had given to Reagan back in 1968 to support him when he finally did run. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr (July 14 1913 December 26 2006 was the thirty-eighth President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 and the fortieth Vice President Ultimately, Thurmond remained neutral during the primary contest (which saw Reagan take South Carolina's votes).
In 1979, rather than support frontrunner Reagan for the 1980 nomination, Thurmond made the surprise announcement that he was backing former Texas Governor and Secretary of the Treasury John Connally, too a Democrat turned Republican, instead. Governors of Texas The United States Secretary of the Treasury is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, concerned with finance and monetary matters, and until John Bowden Connally Jr ( February 27 1917 June 15 1993) was a powerful American politician, serving as Governor As a result, despite his Judiciary Committee chairmanship, Thurmond had relatively little influence with the Reagan Administration.
Views regarding race
Thurmond would support extension of the Voting Rights Act and making the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday. Background See also [[Disfranchisement after the Civil War]] The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865 after the Civil War, abolished and prohibited Martin Luther King Jr ( January 15, 1929 April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, Activist and prominent leader Martin Luther King Jr Day is a United States Holiday marking the birthdate of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr [2] However, he never explicitly renounced his earlier views on racial segregation. [6][3]
Later career
Thurmond became President pro tempore in 1981, and held the largely ceremonial post for three terms, alternating with his longtime rival Robert Byrd depending on the party composition of the Senate. The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. On December 5, 1996, Thurmond became the oldest serving member of the U. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) S. Senate, and on May 25, 1997, the longest serving member (41 years and 10 months). Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar He cast his 15,000th vote in September 1998. He joined the minority of Republicans who voted for the Brady Bill. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1983( codified at, also known as the Brady Bill, passed as by the United States Congress, signed into law by President
Towards the end of Thurmond's Senate career, there was controversy over his mental condition. His supporters argued that while he lacked physical stamina due to his age, mentally he remained aware and attentive and maintained a very active work schedule in showing up for every floor vote. He stepped down as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the beginning of 1999, as he had pledged to do in late 1997. The Committee on Armed Services is a Committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the Resignation of a sitting chairman, even an elderly one, was highly unusual in the Senate. (Term limits for committee chairs adopted by the Republican Conference only forced some turnover years later and were not at issue in this case. ) The move suggested that Thurmond and/or his colleagues felt he was no longer capable of fulfilling that role.
Declining to seek re-election in 2002, he was succeeded by fellow Republican Lindsey Graham. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Lindsey Olin Graham (born July 9, 1955) is an American Politician from South Carolina. At Thurmond's hundredth birthday party in December 2002, Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott sparked controversy by praising Thurmond's 1948 candidacy for President, leading to Lott's resignation from his Leader post. Chester Trent Lott Sr (born October 9, 1941) is a former United States Senator from Mississippi and a member of the Republican Party Thurmond left the Senate in January 2003 as the United States' longest-serving senator (a record that has since been eclipsed by Byrd). On June 26, 2003, he died at 9:45 p. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. m at the age of 100, at a hospital in Edgefield.
Personal life
Marriages and children
Thurmond married his first wife, Jean Crouch (1926–1960) in 1947. She died of cancer 13 years later; there were no children. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled
He married his second wife, Nancy Janice Moore, Miss South Carolina of 1965, in 1968. He was 66 years old and she only 23. She had been working in his Senate office off and on since 1967. It is often said that he ran for president before she was born. This is false; however, he was old enough to be eligible. They separated in 1991, but never divorced. The two remained married and close friends until his death. He even considered resigning during his last term, but only if the Governor would appoint his wife to the seat as his replacement.
At age 68, Thurmond fathered his first legitimate child. His four children with Nancy are: Nancy Moore (1971–1993), who was killed when a drunk driver hit her in Columbia, S. C. ; James Strom Thurmond Jr. (1972– ); Juliana Gertrude (1974– ); and Paul Reynolds (1976– ), elected to the Charleston County Council in 2006.
Illegitimate daughter
Shortly after Thurmond's death on June 26, 2003, Essie Mae Washington-Williams publicly revealed that she was Strom Thurmond's illegitimate daughter. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian is killed during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Essie Mae Washington-Williams (born October 12, 1925) is the oldest daughter of the late United States Senator Strom Thurmond. In Common law, legitimacy is the status of a Child that is born to parents who are legally married to one another or that is born shortly after the She was born to a black maid, Carrie "Tunch" Butler (1909–1947), on October 12, 1925, when Butler was 16 and Thurmond was 22. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Thurmond met Washington-Williams when she was 16. He helped pay her way through college and later paid her sums of money in cash or, through a nephew, checks. These payments extended well into her adult life. [7] Washington-Williams has stated that she did not reveal she was Thurmond's daughter during his lifetime because it "wasn't to the advantage of either one of us"[7] and that she kept silent out of love and respect for her father. [8] She denies that there was an agreement between the two to keep her connection to Thurmond silent. [7]
After Washington-Williams came forward, the Thurmond family publicly acknowledged her parentage. Many close friends and staff members had long suspected this to have been the case, stating that Thurmond had always taken a great amount of interest in Washington-Williams and that she was granted a degree of access to the Senator more appropriate to a family member than to a member of the public.
Political timeline
- Governor of South Carolina (1947–1951)
- States Rights Democratic presidential candidate (1948)
- Eight-term Senator from South Carolina (December 1954–April 1956 and November 1956–January 2003)
- Democrat (1954–April 1956 and November 1956–September 1964)
- Republican (September 1964–January 2003)
- President pro tempore (1981–1987; 1995–January 3, 2001; January 20, 2001–June 6, 2001)
- Set record for the longest Congressional filibuster (1957)
- Set record for oldest serving member at 94 years (1997)
- Set the then-record for longest cumulative tenure in the Senate at 43 years (1997), increasing to 47 years, 6 months at his retirement in January 2003, surpassed by Robert Byrd in July 2006
- Became the only senator ever to serve at the age of 100
Other information
- A reservoir on the Georgia–South Carolina border is named after him: Lake Strom Thurmond. South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20 1917 is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. A centenarian is a person who has attained the age of 100 Years or more A reservoir is most broadly a place or hollow vessel where Fluid is kept in Reserve, for later use The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. Lake Strom Thurmond, also known as Clarks Hill Lake in Georgia, is a reservoir at the border between Georgia and South Carolina in the Savannah
- The University of South Carolina is home to the Strom Thurmond Fitness Center, the largest fitness complex on any college campus. This article is about the University of South Carolina in Columbia
- Charleston Southern University has a Strom Thurmond Building, which houses the school's business offices, bookstore, and post office. Charleston Southern University, founded in 1964 as Baptist College is an independent comprehensive university located in Charleston South Carolina.
- Thurmond Building at Winthrop University is named for him. Winthrop University (formerly Winthrop College is an American public four-year Liberal arts College in Rock Hill, South Carolina He served on Winthrop's Board of Trustees from 1936–38 and again from 1947–51 when he was governor of South Carolina.
- A statue of Strom Thurmond is located on the grounds of the South Carolina State Capitol as a memorial to his service to the state. The South Carolina State House is the state capitol building of the U
- Strom Thurmond High School is located in his hometown of Edgefield, South Carolina. Edgefield is a town in Edgefield County, South Carolina, United States.
- The Rev. Al Sharpton was reported on February 24, 2007 to be a descendent of slaves owned by the Thurmond family. Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton Jr (born October 3 1954 is an American Baptist minister political and civil rights / Social justice Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sharpton has asked for a DNA test. [9][10]
- The U. S. Air Force has a C-17 Globemaster named "The Spirit of Strom Thurmond". WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout
- The Strom Thurmond Institute is located on the campus of Clemson University. George H. W. Bush was on hand at the ground breaking ceremony while he was the Vice President.
Notes
- ^ "Robert Byrd to Become Longest-Serving Senator in History", Associated Press, June 11, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes
- ^ a b Noah, Timothy. "The Legend of Strom's Remorse: a Washington Lie is Laid to Rest", Slate. Retrieved on 2006-11-07. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat
- ^ a b Stroud, Joseph. "Dixiecrat Legacy: An end, a beginning", The Charlotte Observer, 1998-07-12, p. The Charlotte Observer, serving Charlotte North Carolina and its metro area, is the largest newspaper in terms of circulation in North Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. 1Y. Retrieved on 2007-09-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec (English)
- ^ "What About Byrd?", Slate, 2002-12-18. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Retrieved on 2007-09-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec (English)
- ^ Caro, Robert (2002). Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, New York: Knopf. ISBN 0-394-52836-0
- ^ "What About Byrd?", Slate, 2002-12-18. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Retrieved on 2007-09-17. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec (English)
- ^ a b c 60 Minutes interview, December 17, 2003
- ^ "Thurmond's Family 'Acknowledges' Black Woman's Claim as Daughter", Associated Press, December 17, 2003.
- ^ "Slavery links families", New York Daily News, February 25, 2007.
- ^ Santos, Fernanda (2007-02-26), “Sharpton Learns His Forebears Were Thurmonds’ Slaves”, The New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/nyregion/26sharpton.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/T/Thurmond,%20Strom&pagewanted=all>. Retrieved on 26 November 2007
Further reading
- "Abe Fortas: A Biography," by Laura Kalman: Yale University Press, 1990.
- Dear Senator : A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond by Essie Mae Washington-Williams, William Stadiem: Regan Books (February 1, 2005). Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ISBN 0-06-076095-8.
- The Dixiecrat Revolt and the End of the Solid South, 1932–1968 by Kari Frederickson: University of North Carolina Press (March 26, 2001). Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. ISBN 0-8078-4910-3.
- "The Faith We Have Not Kept," by Strom Thurmond: Viewpoint Books, 1968.
- Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond by Jack Bass, Marilyn W. Thompson: University of South Carolina Press (January 1, 2003). New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ISBN 1-57003-514-8.
- Strom: The Complicated Personal and Political Life of Strom Thurmond by Jack Bass and Marilyn W. Thompson: Public Affairs 2005. ISBN 1-58648-297-1.
- Strom Thurmond & the Politics of Southern Change by Nadine Cohodas: Mercer University Press (December 1, 1994). Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) ISBN 0-86554-446-8.
External links
- The Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University
- U.S. Senate historical page on Strom Thurmond
- SCIway Biography of Strom Thurmond
- NGA Biography of Strom Thurmond
Articles
- Strom Thurmond's family confirms paternity claim, By David Mattingly, CNN. com, December 15, 2003
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
Obituaries
- Tribute to Strom Thurmond from The State—June 26, 2003
- Strom Thurmond dead at 100, CNN, June 26, 2003
- Strom Thurmond Dead at 100, By James Di Liberto Jr. The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a Biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress as The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D , Fox News, June 26, 2003
- [1], Findagrave memorial. Find A Grave is a Website allowing its users to access maintain and expand an online Database of Burial records
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Thurmond, Strom |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Thurmond, James Strom |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Governor of South Carolina, United States Senator |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1902-12-5 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Edgefield, South Carolina |
| DATE OF DEATH | 2003-6-26 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Edgefield, South Carolina |
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