The Emancipation Proclamation

Air Force One

A TRIP TO

THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

Simi Valley, California is the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library which is about 20 minutes from Casa Contreras. This weekend was the beginning of the Library's exhibit of the actual Emanicipation Proclamation which for my Sicilian friends is one of the most important documents in United States history.

Our son Mike and I, two history buffs, had to go see it Saturday.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. Most people believe that this document freed all the slaves but this is not accurate. It actually freed all the slaves still living in areas in rebellion to the United States on that date. Thus, for example, it lists 13 parishes in Louisiana as exceptions to this Proclamation because U.S. armed forces now controlled them.

These singers greeted us as we walked into the Library's Main Courtyard

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States

serving from 1981 to 1989.

President Reagans Statue

Nancy Reagan eerily seen here was the Nation's First Lady.

"Rosie" the Spy

To tie in with the Emancipation Proclamation's Civil war theme, The Library had several Civil War re-enactors on duty to add a little authenticity of the day. "Rosie" was a widow and a spy for the Confederacy who would get sent to jail twice. Eventually she would drown when her boat capsized as she was wearing a dress with a considerable amount of gold sown into it.

The American Civil War started in 1861 and ended in 1865.

Nancy Reagan was known as a VERY classy dresser.

This dress is made out a popular Tartan plaid. 

The couch in our computer room shows that we must have GREAT taste too!

The Library's re-creation of the President's Oval Office has this sign as you enter.

President John Adams must be disappointed by the last 8 years.  

The Gipper

Ronald Reagan's most famous acting role may have been as Notre Dame's All-American running back George Gipp.

Mike's reflection in the glass case protecting George Gipp's actual Notre Dame letterman sweater.

I'm actually smaller that this representation of the U.S. Federal Budget!

But this statue was made before the recent government bail-outs.

LENINADE? For sale in the Reagan Pub? Incredible!

A piece of the Berlin Wall

President Reagan's Grave

A Civil War Re-Enactor... COOL BEARD!

A Civil War Surgeon

De-Briefing

After three hours viewing all the displays, including Air Force One, we had to sit down and discuss what we had just witnessed by going to the nearby, world famous eatery, The Hat. 

Mike Digs In!

What makes The Hat so good? FRENCH DIPPED PASTRAMI SANDWICHES!!! Pass the HOT mustard please!

Calcio Catania!

When we got home, we found Calcio Catania battling Atalanta in Catania! We were glued to the TVset the rest of the afternnon!

I didn't see anybody I knew in the crowd shots.

An injured Catania calcio player... how is that possible?

Catania eventually won by a final score of, are you ready for this, 1-nil!

Incredible!!!