One day in 1936, photographer Dorothea Lange pulled up at a pea-pickers camp in California and snapped some pictures. Seven of those pictures were of Florence Thompson and her kids. One of those pictures, entitled “Migrant Mother”, became the most Read more…
In the Middle Ages, “benefit of clergy” referred to the ability of clergy members to avoid conviction for crimes. This benefit was later extended to cover anyone who could read a verse from the Bible. It was usually the first Read more…
“I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions.” Dorothea Lange Read more…
The phrase “the shot heard ‘round the world” comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Concord Hymn” from 1837. “One if by land and two if by sea” comes from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride” from 1861. The British could Read more…
John Reynolds graduated in the middle of his West Point class of 1841. He first achieved recognition serving under Gen. Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War. His artillery battery played a key role in the victory at Buena Vista. He Read more…
The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others. The tendency to worry about things that can’t be changed or corrected. Insisting that a thing is impossible because we can’t accomplish it. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences. Neglecting Read more…
It was originally called “Gibbet Island” which was a reference to the gallows used to execute pirates, criminals, and mutinous sailors on it. After the last hanging in 1839, it took the name of its last private owner – Samuel Read more…
It was named the Spanish Flu because Spain was neutral in WWI and thus did not have press censorship. Their newspapers reported freely on it, especially after King Alfonso XIII got ill. We still don’t know where it originated. Possibilities Read more…
The bride was dressed in her home by relatives. She wore a fire-colored veil and simple white smock. Her hair was separated into six tufts and arranged with a spearhead and held by ribbons. A sacrifice of an animal was Read more…
I just got done reading “From Here to Eternity” by James Jones. It is set in 1941 and one of the things that stuck out for me was the incredibly low prices mentioned in the book. No wonder those soldiers Read more…