It’s That Time of Year To Take Inventory . . .

In the Headlines Not ready yet to leave the Christmas celebrations that honored the birth of Christ?  Me, either!  Yet, I am being rudely pushed to look back on the major stories and the deaths around the world in the headlines of 2016 before bidding it farewell--as if living through them wasn't enough already!  This isn't …

A Christmas Pause During “The Great War” (1914 – 1919)

"No Man's Land" is the term used by soldiers to describe the ground between the two opposing trenches. Its width along the Western Front could vary a great deal. The average distance in most sectors was about 250 yards (230 meters). However, at Guillemont it was only 50 yards (46 meters) whereas at Cambrai it …

Christmas Traditions in Our Nation’s Capital

One of my former colleagues posted this article from a pamphlet he picked up at the Mary Surratt House Museum titled, “Christmas of Yesterday: A History of Our Treasured Traditions and Holiday Customs.” (If you recall, Mary Surratt was an alleged member of the Abraham Lincoln assassination conspiracy and holds the dubious distinction of being the first …

Animated Map Shows Two Centuries of U.S. Immigration: 1820-2013

Emigration and immigrants have been a worldwide political hotbed issue in recent years, (especially in the United States during the 2016 Presidential Campaigns), because millions of people have migrated from their homes to other countries. Some migrants have moved voluntarily, seeking economic opportunities. Others have been forced from their homes by political or religious turmoil, …

Witnesses to Great Commotions Over Religion, Politics, and Money

Yes, this post may be a game changer--where I dare to speak of religion, politics, and money--Growing up it was drilled into me to never talk about these topics in public and open conversation. But why?  Was this always an American position, or when did this begin? From the history of my 15th-century ancestors primarily from England, France, …