Cup of Joe

I will be leading the Historic Washington Dickens Christmas Walk beginning this weekend.  One of the most interesting stories on our tour is about Josephus Daniels, Jr., who was born and spent his early childhood in Washington. 

Many North Carolinians know the Daniels family through their connections to the Raleigh newspaper, the "News and Observer", but few remember that President Woodrow Wilson appointed Daniels Secretary of the Navy during WWI.  Mr. Daniels spent his time reforming the department.  He enlisted more chaplains on ships and banned the drinking of wine and beer on vessels.  The strongest drink allowed by Secretary Josephus Daniels was coffee, so sailors began referring to the drink as a cup of Joe.