Some time last year I was watching an episode of the 1960s series Arrest and Trial that involved a court martial when I saw this: Yes, that’s Chuck Conners in the foreground, but it’s the fellow in the background holding what seems to be a mask of some sort over his mouth and nose that … Continue reading Stenomask
History
Battle of Queenston Heights
While the United Kingdom was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, its Royal Navy had the bad habit of impressing United States citizens from vessels it encountered. So Congress threatened war. Not wanting to wage war on another front, Parliament agreed to concessions. Communications across the Atlantic being rather slow in those days, news of the … Continue reading Battle of Queenston Heights
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Due to pressure over many years from people of Italian descent, in 1968 Lyndon Johnson signed legislation to make Columbus Day a federal holiday effective in 1971. The traditional date for Columbus Day was October 12, but in order to keep federal holidays as part of a long weekend, the date is now observed on … Continue reading Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Short Takes for Sep 6, 2026
In the Saturday Q&A (Z) was asked about presidents who might have been “great” but blew it, the example the questioner gave being Junior Bush who was given an opportunity after the 9/11 attacks to truly unite not only the nation but the world, but he squandered it. (Z) answers: I suppose you can argue … Continue reading Short Takes for Sep 6, 2026
My Fair Philly – Part 2
Back in the 1950s musicals played a much larger part in popular culture. When My Fair Lady finally opened in New York and the original cast album was released (in monophonic only, as stereo was only beginning to gain traction; a stereo recording was made and released a year or so later), it was the … Continue reading My Fair Philly – Part 2
My Fair Philly – Part 1
Before the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady opened in New York City in 1956, it had a tryout period, first in New Haven and then a four week run in Philadelphia’s Erlanger Theatre. The Erlanger Theatre was located on the northwest corner of 21st and Market Streets where it opened in 1927 as … Continue reading My Fair Philly – Part 1
The Dividing Line
Ulysses S. Grant, in 1875: Where the citizen is sovereign and the official the servant, where no power is exercised except by the will of the people, it is important that the sovereign — the people — should possess intelligence. The free school is the promoter of that intelligence which is to preserve us as a free nation. If … Continue reading The Dividing Line
Who’s a Commie Now?
Back in the day when I had to go to Sunday school, my favorite teacher was Hart Beaver. He was a lawyer and an Assistant District Attorney for Lebanon County (as I wrote about in my Murder in a Small Town series). He led some interesting discussions from time to time. Like when we were … Continue reading Who’s a Commie Now?
The American Experiment
It seems that “Donald” is no longer a very popular name for babies. The name peaked in 1934 when more than 30,400 babies in the United States were given that name, and it remained in the top ten of baby names until 1990. In 2025 it hit its lowest point, becoming only the 690th most … Continue reading The American Experiment
An Analog to Seldon’s Plan
Leon Reed is a historian who lives in Gettysburg, and he’s come up with an interesting interpretation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. Being the Asimov fan that I am, I’m always at least curious to hear new insights into his work. To review briefly, Asimov’s stories take place roughly 25,000 years in the future when … Continue reading An Analog to Seldon’s Plan