Category Archives: History

On totem journey, Lummi carvers call for Lower Snake dam removal — KNKX Public Radio | By Bellamy Pailthorp

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. The main totem from the “Spirit of the Waters” totem journey depicts a 16-foot killer whale, carrying a baby on her snout. It is inspired by the true story of Talequah, an endangered southern resident orca … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, environment, History, Nature, Race | Comments Off

Touring America

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Paul T.

Posted in History, Transportation | Comments Off

Tchaikovsky’s house destroyed by Russian army in north-east Ukraine

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. so alerting us. So sad. Click here for the story.

Posted in History, Music, War | Comments Off

The War in Ukraine Could Change Everything

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Jim deMaine

From Skyline resident Basil F. “Living in our community many people are asking me about my opinion about the present situation in Ukraine. I have some difficulty to explain my take about the war, all I remember the most is … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, History, Politics, War | Comments Off

Interview with President Biden by Heather Cox Richardson

Posted on March 5, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Ed. note: Please click on the link at the bottom of this post to watch this unique interview with President Biden and historian Professor Heather Cox Richardson. Every day, people write to me and say they feel helpless to change … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics | Comments Off

Jack Palance Vs. Vladimir Putin

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Jim deMaine

by Sunny Bunch Thanks to Mary Jane F. On weeks like these, it’s hard not to feel … well, a little silly or impotent writing about movies and their business. So instead of doing that, I’m going to relay a … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Essays, History | Comments Off

O Captain, My Captain

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Walt Whitman wrote “O Captain, My Captain!” as a dedication to Abraham Lincoln, a man he greatly admired Although it seems like it is just a poem about a sea captain who dies at the end of a victorious voyage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, History, Remembrances | 1 Comment

Rights and Responsibilities

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sybil-Ann

Posted in Education, Government, Health, History | Comments Off

Note from Doris Kearns Goodwin

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M. Dear Friends, As we begin this Presidents’ Day Weekend, it’s with pride and excitement that I share with you news of “Abraham Lincoln,” a new documentary event series that I have executive produced with RadicalMedia for the … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Jim deMaine

David B. Williams Feb 14 Thanks to Ed M. This nifty map of Seattle originally appeared in the Seattle Star newspaper on July 5, 1907. The map “will give the reader some idea of what sooner or later will be the heart … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off

Lincoln’s words on slavery and logic

Posted on February 13, 2022 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson

Posted in History, Race | Comments Off

Japanese internment, remembered in art

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Diana C. for sending this in from Crosscut (scroll down to view)

Posted in Art, History, Race | Comments Off

Bye, bye Miss American Pie

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Jim deMaine

A musical memoir from Don McLean. Thanks to Gordon G.

Posted in History, Music | Comments Off

Carl Bernstein: Life of A Newsman

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. By Jean Godden -February 2, 2022 in Post Alley “The door led me into another universe. People were shouting. Typewriters clattered and chinged. Beneath my feet I could feel the rumble of the presses. In my whole life … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Politics | 1 Comment

Crossroads: A Turning Point for Downtown’s Freeway Park?

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Jim deMaine

From Ed M. who sends this from postalley.org By Mike James and David Brewster Editor’s Note: Freeway Park is a much-admired design by one of America’s most revered landscape architects, Lawrence Halprin. The 5.2-acre park, which bridges the I-5 Freeway, … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Gardening, History, In the Neighborhood, Nature, Parks | 1 Comment

Heather Cox Richardson – 1776 in context

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Posted in Government, History | Comments Off

The world looks to Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. When is Groundhog Day? Groundhog Day is on Feb. 2 every year. In 2022, Groundhog Day will be on a Wednesday. What is Groundhog Day? On Groundhog Day, the world looks to Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog, … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, History, Humor | Comments Off

Antarctica

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sybil-Ann

Posted in environment, History, Nature | Comments Off

The right to vote, civil rights and Harry S Truman

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Notes from Heather Cox Richardson

Posted in Government, History, Race | Comments Off

97-year-old pianist, and last surviving pupil of Rachmaninov, signs landmark record deal

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks for this delightful entry from Joan C. Former child prodigy and the last-living pupil of Sergei Rachmaninov, pianist Ruth Slenczynska celebrates her astonishing nine-decade long career with a new album. For wonderful music and interviews with this now 97 … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music | Comments Off

Democracy not violence: Americans, please take this pledge

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Put B. If you would like to see who has signed on already, the list is available at www.democracynotviolence.us by clicking on “Signers.” By Brian Baird Special to The Seattle Times On the anniversary of the worst attack on … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, History, Justice, Law, Politics, War | Comments Off

Big Ben will bong again to see in the new year

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. Big Ben will bong to welcome in 2022, the Houses of Parliament has confirmed. The bell will be struck 12 times as it hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, despite other celebrations in the capital being … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Holidays | Comments Off

Cascading climate consequences

Posted on December 2, 2021 by William Calvin

In describing climate consequences—the ones more serious than hotter summers—I feel as if I am describing top-down cascading failures. The classic example is the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, which in 2001 had collapsed, floor after floor, down to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, environment, Government, History, Politics, Race, Science and Technology, Uncategorized, War | Comments Off

Steinbeck’s view of Seattle in 1961

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Jim deMaine

In rereading “Travels with Charlie” recently, I came upon Steinbeck’s commentary about Seattle as he and his precocious dog traversed the country. Does his description of our city echo with your views some 60 years hence in 2021? Is he … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, Essays, History, literature | Comments Off

A daughter remembers her father’s brush with baseball greatness

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Jim deMaine

By Pam Peterson in the Seattle Times’ Don Shelton’s column Ed Note: Thanks to Skyline resident Pam Peterson for sharing this memory. As a 10 year old my dad frequently took me to the Lakefront Stadium in Cleveland to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sports, War | Comments Off