Tag Archive for ‘American Revolution’
Defending “terrorists”: What would the Founders do?
In the midst of all the “Tea Party” chatter these days, it is a tad surprising that the anniversary of another significant Boston event went largely unnoticed last week. It was, after all, 240 years ago on March 5, 1770, that the Boston Massacre took place. And what was the “Boston Massacre,” class? A mob [...]
Washington’s “Confession”
I hope we all know that the cherry tree story is a legend, made up by a pseudobiographer but chiseled into American folklore.
But there is a true story about a young George Washington that most of us never hear. It is the story of his first actual military experience and his signing of a “murder confession.” It is not only more interesting than the cherry tree story but a lot more revealing.
“Tea Bagging” through History
A news report that a “Tea Party” convention planned for February shows signs of unraveling reminds me of another group of “tea baggers” from American History. They had also unraveled in late January. But the year was 1778. It began as a populist uprising against –surprise, surprise—the bankers and lawyers who were making the rules back then.
Don’t Know Much About Ben Franklin
Today is the birthday of America’s first international celebrity and most consistently interesting Founding Father. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. With little formal education, he became a writer, printer, philanthropist, philosopher, political leader and scientist. Franklin, alongside Thomas Jefferson, was probably the best example of the American Enlightenment Man. And, [...]
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 Park in Saratoga, New [...]
Of Columbus Day and Crosses
“It’s the — the cross is the — is the most common symbol of — of — of the resting place of the dead.” Those were the words of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia during a Supreme Court questioning session. The case involves a cross honoring veterans that has been placed on federal lands. The fuller [...]
