The Promise That Changed History: How One Grandson Helped Restore Jefferson Davis’s Citizenship
In the quiet of a family home, a young man made a pinky promise to his grandmother — a promise that would one day take him to the halls of Congress, the White House, and into the pages of American history.
That young man was Dr. Howard Edward Haller, great-great-grandson of Jefferson Davis. His mission? To restore the full rights of citizenship to his ancestor — a right that had been stripped away in the aftermath of the Civil War and never returned.
For more than 13 years, Dr. Haller worked tirelessly: making calls, sending letters, visiting Washington D.C. over 50 times, and building relationships with some of the most influential senators and representatives of the day.
A Promise Kept
Howard’s journey began in the mid-1960s with research and quiet determination. But the real momentum came in the 1970s, when a growing number of lawmakers — from both sides of the aisle — agreed it was time to close this long chapter of American history.
In 1978, after years of legislative maneuvering, Senator Mark Hatfield introduced the bill on the Senate floor. Congressman Trent Lott championed it in the House. And on October 17, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-466, officially restoring Jefferson Davis’s citizenship.
More Than Politics
Restoring Davis’s citizenship was never about erasing history or ignoring the Civil War’s lasting wounds. It was about acknowledging a man’s full life of service — as a soldier, senator, and cabinet member — and recognizing that reconciliation is possible, even after deep national division.
Howard’s success showed that one voice, anchored in persistence and integrity, can make a difference. It’s a story about family, legacy, and the power of keeping your word.
See the Full Story for Yourself
The complete Jefferson Davis Citizenship Project collection includes:
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Audiobook narrated by Dr. Haller himself
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Fully formatted eBook with photos and historical context
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Rare documents, including the red-line resolution and letters from senators and the White House
You can read or listen to the entire journey — and even hold a piece of it in your hands with our Friend of the Project Collector’s Edition.
Get the Collector’s Edition – $50
Get the Standard Package – $19
Whether you’ve just visited the Beauvoir museum exhibit or are discovering this story for the first time, know this: history can be preserved, truth can be told, and promises can be kept — one person at a time.