Happy Birthday President Roosevelt!!!
Wednesday, 27 October 2010 12:32
Brian R.
 For this week's post I am going to fudge just a bit. I simply wanted to honor President Theodore Roosevelt on his 152nd birthday. I have always had a fasination with the character of Teddy Roosevelt and admired his American spirit. I may not have agreed with his administration on all things, but I will say I believe everything he did, he sincerely wanted to imporve our great nation. So Mr. President, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Interesting Facts About Theodore Roosevelt The Teddy Bear is named after Teddy Roosevelt. While hunting in Mississippi during his presidency, a few of the men in Roosevelt's party treed a small black bear and summoned Roosevelt so that he could take the shot. Roosevelt decided that killing the young, trapped bear was not sporting, and spared it. A New York toymaker heard the story, and asked Roosevelt's permission before styling a child's stuffed toy bear as the "Teddy Bear". Roosevelt gave his permission, noting that he did not expect many sales. On October 14th, 1912, he was shot while preparing to give a speech in Milwaukee. He would continue on giving the speech, and declared "it will take more than that to kill a bull moose!" and finished the lengthy speech before visiting a hospital. After Roosevelt retired from politics, he led an expedition in South America to find the source of a river known as "the River of Doubt". Most of the party died, and Roosevelt caught the fever yet survived. The river is now named "Rio Roosevelt." Although being an aggressive president when it came to foreign policy, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese war. After he left office in 1909, Roosevelt went on an African safari that netted many of the specimens that now stock the Smithsonian Institute. Roosevelt welcomed "the strenuous life"--engaging in daunting physical tests and venturing into hostile locations, even though, taking inflation into account, he was likely the richest president in history due to his family's estate. Most of the original National Parks and the National Park system were created by Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the first to call the executive mansion "The White House". Roosevelt authored over 25 books. Roosevelt was the most successful third-party candidate in American presidential history with the Bull Moose Party. Read more.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 October 2010 13:22
Sgt. York, The Greatest Civilian Soldier
Friday, 08 October 2010 23:09
Brian R.
 October 8th, just so happens to be a day in history that will allow me to write an article celebrating one of my favorite American heroes. It was on this day, that Sgt. Alvin C. York proved why America's intervention into World War I, helped end the stalemate on the Western front. Although his actions on this day during the Battle of the Argonne Forrest in 1918, did not win the war, but it proved why the American spirit turned the tide for the Allies during this great conflict. It was the Meuse-Argonne offensive that General John J. Pershing would lead, being the final offensive against the German army. York would show brilliant courage, and with honor, his actions would be rewarded with the Congressional Medal of Honor and national fame.
York was born in a log cabin on December 17th, 1887 in Pall Mall, Tennessee, where he was the third of 11 children. His family was poor and lived off the land farming and hunting. York himself was considered an expert marksman growing up having to provide food for his family. During his time and after experiencing a religious conversion after seeing a friend killed in a bar brawl, he became a fundamentalist Christian around 1915. The church, in which he belonged, was a strict pacifist sect, and York himself considered himself a devout pacifist serving as a deacon. Two years later, when the United States entered World War I, York was drafted into the U.S. Army. Although he attempted to avoid military service by asking dismissal on the grounds of a conscientious-objector, his request was denied. York would enlist in the 82nd Infantry Division and in May 1918, he would arrive in France for active duty on the Western Front. His view on the war and killing for the ideas of democracy and republic, would have a profound effect on York and would serve him successfully in the Saint-Mihiel offensive in September of that year. He was promoted to corporal and given command of his own squad. The events of October 8th, 1918 took place as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, which would be the final push for the Allies against the Germans on the Western Front. York and his battalion were given the job of seizing German held positions. His small force of 17 men encountered heavy resistance with machine gun fire coming from a nearby hill. Nine men from his group were killed, including their commanding officer, leaving York in command.
Last Updated on Monday, 25 October 2010 12:59
Read more...
|
Alaska, What a Deal !!!
Saturday, 16 October 2010 21:54
Brian R.
Recently, I was channel surfing and I came across the John Wayne film, North to Alaska. This has never been one of my favorite Duke movies, but I will say that Alaska has to be one of my favorite states. I boldly profess that I never visited the “land of the midnight sun”, but the state’s history has always maintained my interest. So, I will take this opportunity to write and share just a little information about the state of Alaska and just how it came to be part of the United States. 
It was well after the era of great national expansion during the 1840s, that Americans were thirsting and hoping for additions to American greatness. One such American really strived for the realization of this dream. He was Secretary of State William H. Seward, serving under presidents Lincoln and Johnson. When he learned that Czar Alexander II of the Russia Empire wanted to sell his possessions to the northwest of Canada, Seward sprang into action and into haggling mode. He began to draw up a treaty providing the purchase of Alaska, which derives its name from the Aleut language meaning “the great land”. Seward would propose a price of 7.2 million dollars for the piece of real estate, around 2.3 cents an acre. Instead of being received with enthusiasm, his proposal aroused suspicion, opposition, and ridicule. People would call Alaska “Seward’s Folly” and “Johnson’s Polar Bear Garden”. However, Secretary Seward did not let the bad press discourage him, he persisted and in 1867, the Senate ratified the treaty. The approval of Seward’s plan was a thank you to Russia for their support for the Union during the War Between the States, more than a nod to Seward’s efforts. Regardless, it was a very clever move to prevent British expansion into the Aleutian Islands and further down the Pacific coast. Another European power would be removed from influence in the region.
Last Updated on Sunday, 17 October 2010 03:31
Read more...
Samuel Adams, The Father of the Amerian Revolution
Tuesday, 21 September 2010 17:23
Brian R.
It seems the more I study the American Revolution, and the events that led up to the birth of our nation, my passion for this period of history becomes stronger. To the dismay of my fellow Civil War reenactors, I dare say the Revolution is becoming my favorite part of American History. I love reading about the Founding Fathers and the sacrifices that were made to create our nation. Of all the Founders, I am particularly enjoying studying about good old Samuel Adams. If anyone did a Google search on this fellow, they might get more information on the beer, rather than the patriot. So in honor of Mr. Adams, I dedicate this blog entry to his life, contributions, and overall personality. Hopefully, today’s student of history will gain respect and admiration for this fellow. 
Samuel Adams, 2nd cousin to John Adams, seemed to be destined to live among the times that would lead to rebellion, and then freedom from the greatest empire on earth. Being born September 22, 1722 in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Adams, would be Harvard educated and bred as a political leader for his time. He would learn his political savvy from his father who was a devout puritan who taught his son Samuel, Jr. ideas of virtue. His knowledge of tax codes would land him his first job in political office as a tax collector. It would be here, he would see firsthand of the abuses of taxes imposed by King George III. Although he was not very successful at this job, he would later enter politics and find his true calling in the Massachusetts Assembly. In 1765, when he was elected to the Assembly he served as clerk for many years. It was there that he was the first to propose the idea of a continental congress, and there the fight for colonial rights would begin. He would become a great fan of the ideas that embraced republicanism and would receive advice and surely swap information and ideas with his friend Thomas Paine, the author of Common Sense. Sam would later be a major leader in the Sons of Liberty, and there he would express his annoyance with British policies of the day. Notably, the "Boston Massacre" in 1770 would truly outrage Adams and force the hand of protest by his Sons of Liberty. Not to mention the Tea Act of 1773 would prompt the dumping of the King’s tea into Boston Harbor. Historians would label this the Boston Tea Party. Other events would follow, such as the revival of the Committees of Correspondence. This would be an effort to pass information through the colonies in forms of letters and pamphlets. Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty would be key players in promoting the ideas of freedom and God given rights.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 16:29
Read more...
|
Of all the wars in our nation’s history, as a historian, I am amazed how so many Americans have a lack of knowledge on the war of 1812. I would be the first to admit, if it was not for my love of history and teaching American History, my knowledge of the time period would also not be very adequate. But with that said, I do have a deep interest for this conflict and an appreciation for what it did for our nation. It was a war that launched a president and proved that as a nation we had cut our teeth and could stand with the super powers of the world. The most fascinating part of the War of 1812, however, was not even part of the conflict. The most well known battle of the strife between America and Britain was fought after the war had officially ended. Of course, I speak of the Battle of New Orleans. 
