Tag Archive for ‘American Revolution’
Cherry-Picking Thomas Paine
Thirty years ago, on March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech best know as the “evil empire” speech. He also quoted Thomas Paine- an odd choice.
Don’t Know Much About® George Washington
Yes the day we celebrate on the third Monday in February is really called “George Washington’s Birthday.”
Don’t Know Much About Benedict Arnold
Why is there a statue of Benedict Arnold’s boot? Years ago, I was asked that question on a radio call-in show and honestly did not know the answer. Nor was I even aware at the time there was such a statue. But there it is — part of the Saratoga National Historical Park in Saratoga, [Read More]
Don’t Know Much About® the Cotton Gin: A TED-Ed Lesson
I am very excited to introduce my first contribution to Ted-Ed: “Lessons Worth Sharing.” This is a relatively new venture that aims to bring interesting and exciting animated lessons to classrooms around the world and was created by the people who brought you the TED Conferences “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Invented in 1793, the cotton gin [Read More]
Don’t Know Much About® the American Presidents: Road Trip!
The grounds at James Madison’s Montpelier (Photo: Kenneth C. Davis) Autumn and a presidential campaign are here. That makes it a perfect time to plan a Presidential road trip. I recently wrote this piece suggesting some excellent presidential sites for Fodors.com “How do I get my kids interested in history?” As the author [Read More]
The Don’t Know Much About® Online Video Series With ABC News
The latest video from ABC News celebrates the Fourth of July: In partnership with ABC News, I have begun a new series of videos that will explain presidential history and explore the presidents as well as have some fiun with other aspects of America’s Hidden History. The first in this series explains the [Read More]
Don’t Know Much About® the Declaration
We hold these truths to be self evident In the run-up to the nation’s birthday, here are some things you “need to know” about the Declaration of Independence. -It’s not a “piece of paper.” The original version of the Declaration was “engrossed” (a word for preparing an official document in a large, clear hand) on [Read More]
“By the Rude Bridge…”
“Listen my children, and you shall hear/of the midnight ride of . . . Joseph Warren?” Okay, that doesn’t scan quite like Longfellow’s original “Paul Revere’s Ride.” But that’s the problem. In making sure we “hear” about “Revere,” Longfellow –an abolitionist who wrote that poem in 1861 as a call to rally the Union as [Read More]
Franklin’s Farewell
Surely America’s most fascinating Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. Shortly before his death, he wrote a letter to Rev. Ezra Stiles, the President of Yale, summarizing his religious beliefs. Here is my creed. I believe in one God, creator of the universe. That he governs it [Read More]