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Category Archives: History
August 19, 1893 – The Invention of the Root Beer Float
Thanks to Bob P. If you’ve ever savored a refreshing root beer soda topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, you have the innovative entrepreneur Frank J. Wisner to thank. On August 19, 1893, Wisner invented the very … Continue reading
My Year of Living Blurrily
by Dani Shapiro in the NYT The painting beckoned me from across the room. In a bright, high-ceilinged gallery of the Courtauld, a small museum in London known for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, I moved past van … Continue reading
Sunday thought: Working for the Good
By Robert Reich (thanks to Pam P.) Friends, Over the past several weeks, Trump and his MAGA stooges in Congress have passed legislation to strip health care from 10 million people; cut food stamp benefits for 40 million Americans, half … Continue reading
History of a Jewish community in China
Thanks to Deborah C. Rabbi Anson Laytner, is one of the foremost experts on the history and present-day situation of the thousand-year-old Jewish community of Kaifeng, China. He’ll speak on Friday, August 15th at 11:00 in the Mt. Baker Room. … Continue reading
The Changing Map of Palestinian Recognition
by Ashley Wu in the NYT (thanks to Janet M.) In the past week alone, three new countries have said they are ready to bestow recognition on a Palestinian state. Recognize (green) Pending (yellow) Do not recognize (gray) Most countries … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Government, History, Justice, Law, Social justice
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Oldies
Thanks to John R. 1. New York Harbor, end of WWII, 1945. The liner Queen Elizabeth is filled with the American troops coming home from war. 2. A boy and two big lobsters that have just been caught on the … Continue reading
Posted in History
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Declaration Book Club
Thanks to Mary M. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which created the United States. To celebrate the Declaration’s upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Monticello is launching Declaration Book Club, featuring short readings, lively videos, … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Education, Government, History
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Check out the Declaration’s list of grievances
It’s time to recapture our freedoms. from The Contrarian – thanks to Mary M. Desperate for some inspiration, I decided to reread the entire Declaration of Independence. We know it as an aspirational document (“We hold these truths…”). We understand it … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Government, History, Justice, Law
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The 14th amendment and the history of birthright discrimination
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson After the Supreme Court today decided the case of Trump v. CASA, limiting the power of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions, President Donald Trump claimed the decision was a huge victory that would permit him … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History, Law, Race
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IN PERSON: Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll
When July 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm (from Humanities Washington, thanks to Mike C.) Where: Skyline Seattle; 725 9th Ave; Seattle, WA 98104 Northwest Rock & Roll’s historical highpoints are well documented—in the late 20th century, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and other … Continue reading
Peter Ralston’s “Still There”
from HCR’s newsletter You can find Peter at his gallery in Rockport, Maine, or at https://ralstongallery.com/
Remembering our history
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to Mary Lou P.) Ed Note: You can click this link to find all 10 episodes of Journey to American Democracy | Ten Steps to Revolution. All lessons to be remembered. From HCR’s newsletter: … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History
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CNN To Exclusively Air Live George Clooney’s Five-Time Tony® Nominated Broadway Play “Good Night, And Good Luck” on Saturday, June 7 at 7pm ET Across CNN Platforms
Thanks to Mary Jane F. NEW YORK – (May 15, 2025) – CNN announced today that Good Night, and Good Luck, the critically-acclaimed new play by George Clooney and Grant Heslov that has shattered box office records and is now nominated for five 2025 Tony Awards, will air … Continue reading
“I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny—Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.” Margaret Chase Smith
Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson “I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition,” Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine told her colleagues on June 1, 1950. “It is a national feeling of fear and frustration … Continue reading
Posted in Government, History
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Scott Pelley speaks to 2025 graduates
Thanks to Mike C. Good morning, everybody. What a beautiful day. What a beautiful North Carolina day for a graduation. Incredible. Thank you, President Wente, Provost Gillespie, members of the Board of Trustees and Katy Harriger, my faculty sponsor, for … Continue reading
We Are Not Being Asked to Run Into Cannon Fire. We Just Need to Speak Up.
By Drew Gilpin Faust in the NYT Ms. Faust is the author of “This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War” and a former president of Harvard University. Frederick Douglass thought Decoration Day — the original name for Memorial … Continue reading
Quo vadis, Pope Leo XIV? – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson
Ed note from ChatGPT: “Quo vadis?” is Latin for “Where are you going?” or more literally, “Where are you marching?” It’s famously associated with a Christian tradition involving Saint Peter. According to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, as Peter was … Continue reading
Ten Famous American Horses
Heather Cox Richardson I had thought to post a picture tonight and then realized that today was the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby. The event was launched in 1875 as horse racing—with its famous Black jockeys, who won more … Continue reading
Are we on the cusp of a new religious revival?
By David Brooks Opinion Columnist in the NYT – article titled “How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact” I had forgotten how exhausting it is to live in Donald Trump’s world. He’s not only a political figure. He … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Government, happiness, History, Mental Health, Religion
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See (and hear) the memorable Mel Blanc
Thanks to Bob P.
The Nosh: A restaurant wokking tour through Seattle’s CID (Tai Tung, Bruce Lee’s table and more)
You may have eaten a meal in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, but how much do you know about its history? Click here for a quick video tour. Host Rachel Belle sets out on foot for the popular Tastes of the Chinatown International District tour … Continue reading
The Ugly Historical Echoes of Kennedy’s Comments on Autism
By Jessica Grose Opinion Writer in the NYT (thanks to Ed M) Last week Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held his first news briefing as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to address a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Government, Health, History
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‘Don’t Fight the Stupidity’ and Other Relevant Bonhoeffer Advice
by Tim Snyder in Sojourners (thanks to Mary Jane F.) As a theologian, I get nervous when reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer becomes all too relevant. I’m the kind of theologian who would rather not find myself in what some scholars refer … Continue reading
📢 An Activist’s Prayer to the Fearless Women Who Came Before—and Stand Among—Us
by Laurie Woodward Garcia and People Power United (thanks to Bob P.) 🗽People Power United is a grassroots group of over 250,000+ members in all 50 states-powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people. Click here to … Continue reading