On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 22, 1802, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, wife of the nation’s first president, died of a severe fever at age 70, in the small, third-floor bed-chamber at Mount Vernon that she had moved to after her husband’s death in 1799. In the extended period of her bereavement, her health declined steadily, and a visitor to Mount Vernon in 1801 remarked, “She speaks of death as a pleasant journey.” Although technically America’s first “First Lady” that term was not in presidential jargon at the time George Washington served as Commander in Chief, and she was instead referred to simply as “Lady Washington.” A year after Washington died, his widow freed all slaves previously under his ownership and closed up their former bedroom on the second floor of the expansive residence, moving to a small room on the third floor. She was interred beside the “Father of Our County” on the grounds of the estate.” [Historic Alexandria]
Memorial Day Travel Forecast — “In its Memorial Day Weekend travel forecast, AAA said a record 45 million Americans are expected to travel 50 or more miles from home for Labor Day Weekend, Most of them — 39.1 million — will be driving. All modes of travel are expected to increase this year.” [Patch]
