I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year, and it has given me the opportunity to ruminate further on the spirit of Thanksgiving. This is a holiday rich with tradition and history, even though it may often be overlooked by many as a mere family gathering every November. This prompted me to produce another ABABContinue reading “Through Feast and Famine, We Give Thanks”
Tag Archives: American history
The Spirit of Thanksgiving
The story of Thanksgiving holds many common themes found in numerous holidays from across the ages. A people sent adrift in a strange land, unprepared for the perils and hardship. They find themselves set upon by famine and hunger, threatened with oblivion. Then, a kind people take notice of their plight and offer a tradeContinue reading “The Spirit of Thanksgiving”
Day of the Devil Dogs: A Haiku Series
November 10th this year was the 246th anniversary of the birth of the United States Marine Corps. At the time of their initial inception, the US Marines were referred to as the Continental Marines. The Second Continental Congress ordered the formation of two battalions of marines on November 10, 1775 to serve as a landingContinue reading “Day of the Devil Dogs: A Haiku Series”
Happy Halloween!
Halloween is the modern-day interpretation of All Hollow’s Eve, the Vigil of All Saint’s Day. Historically, this is a day for people to remember those who have passed on and are now in Heaven, and to pray for those in Hell or Purgatory. The imagery of ghosts, ghouls, and other deathly images was meant toContinue reading “Happy Halloween!”
The Texas Revolution Began on October 2, 1835
This weekend was the anniversary of the Texas Revolution in 1835. This armed conflict is also known as the “Texas War of Independence.” It was a brief dispute in which the Republic of Texas rebelled against the government of Mexico. The notorious “Gonzales Flag” was born out of this conflict and inspired many reimagined versionsContinue reading “The Texas Revolution Began on October 2, 1835”
Dust Settles Back Where It First Flew: A Haiku Series
As many of you may know, the Star Spangled Banner was written on September 14, 1814 by Francis Scott Key. September has an eventful month in human history with many prominent occasions to note. It can difficult to decide for which to account on a weekly basis. Yet, I still wished to write something aboutContinue reading “Dust Settles Back Where It First Flew: A Haiku Series”
Constitution Day in the United States
On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers of the United States signed the U.S. Constitution. The holiday was originally “I Am an American Day” and was observed on the third Sunday in May, first established as a federal holiday in 1940. Twelve years later in 1952, it was changed to September 17 and renamed “ConstitutionContinue reading “Constitution Day in the United States”
The Value of a Nation
As I saw so many posts remembering the loss and the sacrifice that characterize our collective memories of the September 11 terrorist attacks, I was prompted to ponder the national response and massive relief effort which took place in the wake of the attacks. For those unfamiliar with the context, on September 11, 2001, aContinue reading “The Value of a Nation”
Fateful Flight of the Stars and Stripes
This weekend was the 244th anniversary of the first time the American Flag was flown in battle. On September 3, 1777 the red, white, and blue banner with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes was first flown during the Battle of Cooch’s Bride in Delaware. Under the command of General William Maxwell, Continental forces raised theContinue reading “Fateful Flight of the Stars and Stripes”
An Eternal Duty
Last week’s Independence Day celebrations, today’s anti-communist protests in Cuba, and my own ponderings on the founding documents of the United States and writings from Thomas Jefferson got me thinking about the duties of defending freedom and liberty, as well as the careful difference between liberty and licentiousness which must be recognized, lest we becomeContinue reading “An Eternal Duty”
The Pensive Warrior 