Why I Teach History and Why You Should Care
Historians are storytellers who, through captivating writing, construct narratives of the past using various sources, methodologies, and statistics. They don't merely dust off old archives and declare what happened from these. Historians have a dynamic job, for history isn't static, and its sources are endless. The field is a developing intellectual endeavor that helps people understand their world and place in it. Historians conceptualize the past as an ongoing discussion with the present, in which they tackle new and old questions from new perspectives and provide fresh visions regarding the human condition. Without history, we would be lost. Imagine waking [...]
Thanksgiving in October? by Daniel W. Sheridan
Thanksgiving in October? –By Daniel W. Sheridan Thanksgiving celebrations didn’t originate with the American colonists; they have a long history. Among the ancient Hebrews, the Feast of Tabernacles was an occasion to be thankful for the harvest. In 1346 England, during the Hundred Year’s war, under Edward the Third, a national thanksgiving was celebrated after the battle of Cressy. Henry the 5th celebrated one soon after that. Like many of our customs, Thanksgiving celebrations were carried over from Europe and adapted to new circumstances. The Puritans, on December 11, 1621, grateful for a good harvest, celebrated the first thanksgiving on [...]
The Johnson Patent Ice-Cream Freezer – By Daniel Sheridan
#OTD The U.S. Constitution reads, "The Congress shall have power…to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…" Nancy Johnson took advantage of this sweet provision on September 9, 1843, who was issued patent #3254 for her hand-cranked ice cream maker and freezer machine. The patent read, "Be it known that I, NANCY M. JOHNSON of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful improvement in the Art of Producing Artificial Ices, and that the following [...]
Ideas Change The World, by Daniel Sheridan
Ideas Change The World, by Daniel SheridanWars usually make the news, and war movies dominate cinema. That's because they are "exciting." Bullets zipping across the battlefield and men storming the beaches of Normandy inspire thrilling musical scores. But ideas, unlike war, are born of contemplation, mature through discussion, and ultimately make lasting change.#OTD, August 29, 1632, one of the philosophers of the Glorious Revolution, John Locke, was born.Locke wrote "Two Treatises of Government," a work inspired by the Glorious Revolution. Here, Locke espoused that all men have a natural right to life, liberty, and property and established a government to [...]
The Road To Glory In A Patriot Army: Virtue, by Daniel Sheridan
OTD# August 7, 1782, the Commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, to honor virtuous soldiers, creates the Purple Heart medal (Badge of Military Merit). "The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity [...]
On this day, August 2, 1923, the first President elected… By Daniel Sheridan
On this day, August 2, 1923, the first President elected by women died in office, and the Vice President took the oath by the light of a kerosene lamp. By Daniel Sheridan
The First U.S. Patent – By Daniel Sheridan
#OTD, July 31, 1790, the very first American patent, which George Washington signed, was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer. Abraham Lincoln believed that the invention of the printing press, the discovery of America, and the American patent system brought about the most significant advances in human civilization. The #Constitution provides for patent laws in Article 1, Section 8, which reads, “Congress shall have power to…promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…” [...]
Today is the Birthday of America’s Free Institutions!
#OTD, July 30, 1619, the first legislative body chosen by the people met in Virginia, which marks the birthday of America's free institutions. Posted by Daniel Sheridan
Building America and Expanding Narrow Minds with Iron Rails – By Daniel Sheridan
#OTD, June 9, 1781, a man was born whose world-changing invention built America. In the 1830s, the world began progressing technologically at unprecedented levels through the efforts of inventors busily applying their talents for humanity’s sake. One revolutionized travel, helped build America, and expanded narrow minds as a by-product. Here’s the story. In 1807, Bostonians built the first American railroads, called tramways, which were temporary rail lines designed to transfer loads out of coal mines. Meanwhile, boats and factories utilized steam engines. One day, a clever inventor combined the two technologies. George Stephenson, an English civil and mechanical engineer, was [...]
General Orders, 9 July 1776…Head Quarters, New York…by Daniel Sheridan
#OTD, July 9, 1776, General George Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence is to be read to the troops. General Orders, 9 July 1776...Head Quarters, New York... ...The Honorable the Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy, and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent STATES: The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at six o'clock, when the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds & reasons of this measure, [...]
The Freedom of the Press – By Daniel Sheridan
#OTD, July 8, 1889, the “Wall Street Journal” begins publishing. “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech or of the press...” #FirstAmendment Sir William Blackstone said, “Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public.” Freedom of speech is essential in a society, for free debate leads to the correction of public errors. But Blackstone also warned that “if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequences of his temerity.” Freedom of speech comes with responsibilities. “The only security of all is in a free press. The force [...]
Monday is Independence Day! However OTD# June 28th… by Daniel Sheridan
However, it was #OTD, June 28th, 1776, a committee consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston presented the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. To best celebrate that day, we should try to put ourselves in our founder's shoes. What were they doing when they signed their names on that document? What could it have cost them? Would we have done the same? Think about these questions throughout the week. John Adams said, "Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will [...]