How did the handshake become this symbolic gesture of peace – the uber photo-op of peace summits?
In the ancient Roman world, the handclasp represented putting your blood behind your breath. That is to say, good faith. And you could use that gesture in any sort of ritual you wanted to. What are some unforgettable American handshakes? In the Civil War after Fort Sumter was taken, Lincoln shook hands with Douglas. That was almost the handsclasp that won the war because Douglas was his rival in the rival in the Presidential election. He represented all of the democratic interests in the country and when he shook hands after the taking of Fort Sumter with Lincoln, the new Republican president, he represented to all the faithful democrats in the country that they should support Lincoln and support the Union. When William Penn shook hands with the Native Americans– they were the Delaware tribe of Indians–he confirmed the peace and good will of what eventually was the longest standing treaty between Americans and Native Americans. It lasted for almost 75 years. And that certainly has to
