Category Archives: History

Switzerland’s doomsday law

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Submitted by Bob Peterson

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Woodrow Wilson by Patricia O’Toole

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Inspiring words can carry a leader to the loftiest heights. Then what? “I doubt if there is any man in America,” the muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell said of President Woodrow Wilson, “that can talk… with such precision and at the … Continue reading →

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William Howard Taft by John G. Roberts, Jr.

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Jim deMaine

In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan, Maintaining your dignity and principles through defeat can pave the road for future success William Howard Taft holds the distinction of being the only person in the history of our Nation to have served as … Continue reading →

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Theodore Roosevelt by William Jefferson Clinton

Posted on August 9, 2026 by Jim deMaine

An ever more perfect union requires an ever wider “we.” In Pursuit Aug 04, 2026 (Ed note: “In Pursuit isn’t just a history project. It begins a dialogue about our past, present, and future as Americans. On President’s Day 2026, we’ll … Continue reading →

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Men of Mt. Rushmore

Posted on August 1, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to MJ Francis

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From Rifleman to Concertmaster, Stuart Canin Looks Back 90 Years

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to Bob Petersonn By Cristina Schreil Stuart Canin whips open the door to his Berkeley home and shakes my hand with the kind of solid clasp you’d expect from any lifelong violinist. While many in the Bay Area music … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music | 1 Comment

Frightening. Is this Munich 1933?

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to John Roper Goebbels could not have said it better. “Fascism is the supreme expression of self-righteousness. It is the belief that one’s own group possesses a monopoly on virtue, and therefore has a holy duty to crush everyone … Continue reading →

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In Israel, Rahm Emanuel Calls for End of Unconditional U.S. Support

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: The Emanuel family is quite amazing. All three sons–Rahm, Ezekiel and Ari–are highly accomplished. Their father a pediatrician, was born in Jerusalem. Intellectual debate was part of their dinner table conversation growing up. The former Chicago mayor, a … Continue reading →

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Life Support?

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks Pearle M It seems wrong to celebrate America when it’s on life support.  – New Yorker

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“We hold these truths to be self evident”

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Note: Resident-Led: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in the OT Performance Hall at 2 PM today, July 4th Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson And on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring: … Continue reading →

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Happy Canada Day! Bonne fête du Canada

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Eugene Carlson
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A New Democratic Voice

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson A wide range of Democratic voices are in the process of shaping new political language to move their party, and the country, forward. James Talarico is one of those new voices. On Friday, June 26, … Continue reading →

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Acquired tells the stories and strategies of the world’s greatest companies.

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Are you curious about how COSTCO, Google, Ferrari, Trader Joe’s and other great companies succeeded? This audio deep dive is available for free on the web at https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/. Given that we all use My Chart for aspects of … Continue reading →

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Juneteenth National Independence Day

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from the National Park Service Booker T. Washington remembered his mother “was standing by my side, leaned over and kissed her children, while tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She explained to us what it all meant, that this … Continue reading →

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Art from Ashes

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M.

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Can we learn from past weeping?

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Jim deMaine

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. Luke 19:41 Irony and tragedy — The crowds were cheering a political-military messiah they imagined would conquer Rome. Jesus knew the real battle was spiritual, and … Continue reading →

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Being one of the “elderly”

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R. We are often called “the elderly,” but that quiet label hides a truth most people rarely pause to consider: we are the last living witnesses of a world that no longer exists. If you look closely, … Continue reading →

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Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

TIMOTHY SNYDER (thanks to Jim S.) Note: Timothy Snyder is an American Historian currently holds the inaugural chair in Modern European History at the Munk School of School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. From 2017 to 2025 … Continue reading →

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Josephine Baker – Performer, Spy and Civil rights icon (1906-1975)

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Honoring Women’s History Month By Arlisha R. Norwood, NWHM Fellow | 2017 — (thanks to Ann M.) World renowned performer, World War II spy, and activist are few of the titles used to describe Josephine Baker. One of the most … Continue reading →

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Ken Burns – The Art of the American Revolution

Posted on March 1, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F.

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NFL team’s logo links Super Bowl fans to indigenous roots

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Jim deMaine

From BBC written by Max Matza (Seattle) – thanks to Ed M. Wallace Nagedzi Watts had been going to Seahawks games for almost three decades when a historical discovery helped supercharge his fandom – and deepened his connection to his … Continue reading →

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The House convenes for a floor session on HR 4692 (Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II) at the state Capitol.

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. Watch Skyline chaplain Sao as he gives the invocation!!

Posted in Government, History, Law, Morality, Remembrances | Comments Off on The House convenes for a floor session on HR 4692 (Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II) at the state Capitol.

A Valentine’s day tragedy & a reformist President

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Ed note: I’ve loved reading about Teddy Roosevelt–such a unique American personality. If you want a pretty complete picture consider the Edmund Morris Trilogy: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (covers pre-presidency), Theodore Rex (presidency), and … Continue reading →

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Sugar, Bad Bunny and the Americas

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Last night’s thirteen-minute Super Bowl half-time show featuring Bad Bunny had more watchers than any other halftime show in history: an estimated 135 million watched live, while millions more have streamed it since. Rapper, singer, … Continue reading →

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A once-in-a-generation moment at MOHAI

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M. This summer, MOHAI is proud to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation. This landmark exhibit from the National Archives will bring some of the rarest and most important original documents in … Continue reading →

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