Category Archives: American History

fake views?

In its July 3, 1869 issue Harper’s Weekly presented a couple iconic images from the American independence movement during the 1770’s. The incident Paul Revere depicted did not happen in 1775. The Boston Massacre “was a confrontation on March 5, … Continue reading

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a patriotic peace

This year I’m reading a book published in 1945. In this morning’s selection author Daniel Russell wondered if war was ever worth it. World War I showed that “[t]here is small place for flags and bugles.” He reviewed the horrors … Continue reading

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death of an ex-president

On January 6, 1919 Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, died at his home at Oyster Bay on Long Island. From Europe President Woodrow Wilson telegraphed his order to fly flags at half-staff for thirty days. Mr. … Continue reading

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holiday for the homes

In October 1868 President Andrew Johnson proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving on November 26th, the last Thursday of the month. This continued a tradition begun five years earlier by Abraham Lincoln. In its November 28, 1868 issue Harper’s Weekly … Continue reading

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“the greatest of all human Blessings”

Independence and Peace 150 years ago Americans observed the national Thanksgiving Day on November 26th. I don’t seem to be able to wait that long. According to Pilgrim Hall Museum Congress proclaimed the first National Thanksgiving Day on November 1, … Continue reading

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circular logic

Apparently in 1492 most educated Europeans knew that the earth was spherical. The Atlantic Ocean was beginning to be explored; the technology of the mariner’s compass made it easier to figure out which way you were going, and “a certain … Continue reading

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fictional preservation?

An editorial in the April 25, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly lamented all the historic Revolutionary War era structures that were being left to deteriorate and hoped that three other “sacred” buildings could be preserved. One of those structures related … Continue reading

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Lincoln memorial

In its February 10, 1918 issue the New York Tribune published a page of photos commemorating Abraham Lincoln, probably to honor the sixteenth president’s 109th birthday (February 12th): In a February 13, 1918 article from Petersburg The New-York Times reported … Continue reading

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to sculpt the truth

A big monument controversy raged a hundred years ago. People objected to a new statue memorializing the Civil War era that they found very offensive. So far I haven’t read about any calls for its dismantling or removal, but some … Continue reading

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non-turkey day

A century ago some people in Georgia weren’t counting on turkey for Thanksgiving Day. World War was raging one hundred years ago. Perusing the rest of the December 2, 1917 Rotogravure Picture Section in The New-York Times, I was somewhat … Continue reading

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