Category: History

George Washington

Happy birthday, your Excellency!

“Celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume biography of George Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America’s first president. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow shatters forever the stereotype of George Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.”

0

Comparing and contrasting the leadership styles of two contemporary explorers

Two leaders; Vilhjalmur Stefansson and Ernest Shackleton; contemporaries in the same field over 100 years ago with vastly different leadership styles worth observing. The following observations are based primarily on the following sources; in the case of the Ernest Shackleton, several documentaries as well…

Continue reading “Comparing and contrasting the leadership styles of two contemporary explorers” →
0

The Mysterious and Haunting Requiem of Mozart

Fans of Amadeus and Mozart scholars know that Mozart believed he was writing the requiem — the funeral mass — for himself. The requiem holds a special place in the classical music world and has captivated audiences for centuries. Let’s delve into the enigmatic beauty and the history behind Mozart’s requiem.

The Genesis of a Masterpiece

Mozart’s requiem, composed in 1791, remains shrouded in mystery. Commissioned anonymously, the circumstances surrounding its creation add an air of intrigue to this masterwork. As Mozart toiled on this composition during his final days, he confided in his wife about his premonition that he was writing the requiem for his own funeral. This belief lends an ethereal and deeply personal quality to the music.

Continue reading “The Mysterious and Haunting Requiem of Mozart” →
1

Paul McCartney’s Many Surprise Appearances: A Brief History

Read our list of 10 times Paul McCartney has turned up for surprise shows. Source: Paul McCartney’s Many Surprise Appearances: A Brief History

0

The Perils of Progress

We’ve come a long way, but are we focused on the right things? Source: The Perils of Progress

0

The Man Who Invented Christmas

In October 1843, Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) was suffering from the failure of his last three books. Rejected by his publishers, he set out to write and self-publish a book he hoped would keep his family afloat and revive his career. Directed by Bharat Nalluri from Les Standiford’s book of the same name, The Man Who Invented Christmas tells the story of the six fever-pitched weeks in which Dickens created A Christmas Carol. The film takes audiences inside the magical process that brought to life Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), Tiny Tim and others, changing the holiday into the merry family event we know today. Source: Bleecker Street

Watch this and then pick the version of The Christmas Carol that suits you best…

0

The Exceptional 18th Century: A Turning Point in Human History

The 18th century stands out as a remarkable period in human history for numerous reasons. Often referred to as the “Age of Enlightenment” or the “Century of Reason,” it witnessed extraordinary advancements in various fields that would forever shape the trajectory of humanity. From scientific discoveries to political revolutions, let us delve into why the 18th century was truly exceptional.

Continue reading “The Exceptional 18th Century: A Turning Point in Human History” →
0

The true story behind Moby Dick

Did you know that the epic novel Moby Dick was actually based on a true story that was much more gruesome?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjUsNjheCaE

Want more detail? Check out this post…

0

200th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Whaleship Essex with Nathaniel Philbrick

1

The Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773

In Boston, a group of colonists board three British tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773. Source: The Boston Tea Party | December 16, 1773 | HISTORY

The event was reenacted in Boston on the 250th anniversary. You can read about it here.

0

Archie: The Man Who Became Cary Grant

I’ve always been a fan of Cary Grant and the new biopic starring Jason Isaacs doesn’t suck!

Cary Grant: The Timeless Charmer

Cary Grant, born on January 18, 1904, in Bristol, England, was a legendary actor who captivated audiences with his suave demeanor, impeccable comic timing, and unrivaled on-screen presence. With his distinctive accent, debonair style, and magnetic charm, Grant became one of Hollywood’s most iconic and beloved leading men.

Continue reading “Archie: The Man Who Became Cary Grant” →
0

Handel’s Messiah

“Messiah (HWV 56)[1][n 1] is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. The text was compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter[n 2] by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. Handel’s reputation in England, where he had lived since 1712, had been established through his compositions of Italian opera. He turned to English oratorio in the 1730s in response to changes in public taste; Messiah was his sixth work in this genre. Although its structure resembles that of opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and no direct speech. Instead, Jennens’s text is an extended reflection on Jesus as the Messiah called Christ.

Continue reading “Handel’s Messiah” →
0

JFK: One Day In America

60 years ago on November 22, I returned home from morning kindergarten to find my mother sobbing on the couch and I can remember it like it was yesterday. As a former Catholic of Irish descent, John F. Kennedy was a god to me. The first book I was able to read on my own was about him. Here’s another good documentary, this time with ‘last’ interviews from the people who were there…

0

Make no little plans

0

Rosalynn Carter remained her husband’s rock of support to the end

He was the president of the United States and the governor of Georgia, but Jimmy Carter often said the “pinnacle” of his life was marrying Eleanor Rosalynn Smith.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Jimmy Carter

Go to the source to read a beautiful article about a loving, historical relationship: Rosalynn Carter remained her husband’s rock of support to the end

0

Paul McCartney On The Power Of Love

“In the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

1

Styxworld Exclusive: The Inside Story Behind “Too Much Time on My Hands”

If you’ve been singing the lines, “I’m sitting on this bar stool, talking like a damn fool, got the 12 o’clock news blues!” over and over and over during the past 10 days or so, then you’re in good company. Jimmy Fallon, the host of NBC’s uber-popular The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, has been singing the lyrics and jamming along to the song on the show on a regular basis of late, culminating in a shot-by-shot recreation of the song’s infamous 1981 video with actor Paul Rudd this past Friday, April 29, which you can view right here. “It’s the best song I’ve ever heard in my entire life,” Fallon exclaimed about “Too Much Time” to guest Adam Levine on the previous night of the show — and who can blame him? Source: Styxworld Exclusive: The Inside Story Behind “Too Much Time on My Hand | News | Styxworld

The bar where Tommy wrote the song is 16 minutes away from me and they have some of the best bar burgers I’ve ever had!
0

Now and Then; The Beatles drop their ‘last song’

In case you haven’t heard, the Beatles dropped their ‘last song’ yesterday. “Peter Jackson has detailed the “overwhelming” task of creating the music video for Now and Then.” Go to the source if you’re interested in knowing how Paul and Ringo used AI to complete the lost, last song: George Harrison’s son moved to tears by Now and Then

0

Daniel Burnham

The space of time in which a great work can now be accomplished is not marvelous. Brain, muscle, materials, and the means of rapid transport are instantly at command. If one has capital and a well-considered plan, the thing does itself. But that which is wonderful and which I can scarcely believe, although I have been in the midst of it, is the noble, artistic result which has come from the work of American artists who have had only a few months’ time to prepare those very designs for the great buildings of the Exposition which have actually been executed with little change from the sketches which were presented in February, 1891. A statement at a dinner in New York city (25 March 1893), as quoted in Daniel H. Burnham, Architect, Planner of Cities (1921) by Charles Moore, Vol. 1, Ch. VI, p. 72-73 Source: Daniel Burnham – Wikiquote

Recommended reading…

0

Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed

Growing up, we were taught that Christopher Columbus was an ‘explorer’ and Benedict Arnold was a ‘traitor’. It’s good to challenge these thoughts from time to time…

Continue reading “Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed” →
0

Brian Sweeney

Another 9/11 lesson.

0

Start a Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑