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Persons.
Speaking of WWII books adapted into great books or series, historian Stephen Ambrose died on October 13, 2002. He published numerous books on Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lewis and Clark, but he's best known as the author of Band Of Brothers: E Company, 506th, Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Unfortunately, his reputation has been a bit tarnished by accusations of plagiarism and factual errors, but his legacy does include being a co-founder of the great National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The men of E Company were first put together at Camp Toccoa in the Georgia mountains in 1942 as an experimental airborne parachute regiment. Their harsh physical training them bonded them together and became a standard of future training regimens.
The unit parachuted in over the Cotentin Peninsula at Normandy in the early morning hours of D-Day. From Normandy, they participated in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, finally pushing their way into Austria and Hitler's Eagle's Nest home, Berchtesgaden.
The original E Company at Toccoa consisted of 140 men. By war's end, due to transfers and replacements, some 366 men were listed as members of the unit. 49 men were killed in action.
Place.
Speaking of WWII books adapted into great books or series, historian Stephen Ambrose died on October 13, 2002. He published numerous books on Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lewis and Clark, but he's best known as the author of Band Of Brothers: E Company, 506th, Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Unfortunately, his reputation has been a bit tarnished by accusations of plagiarism and factual errors, but his legacy does include being a co-founder of the great National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
E Company was first assembled at Camp Toccoa in North Georgia in 1942. The training camp originally known as Camp Toombs,after Confederate General Robert Toombs, was conceived in 1938. The Georgia National Guard and the Works Projects Administration began construction on 17 January 1940 with the site being dedicated on 14 December 1940. Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, did not like the name. He thought it would prompt superstitions among the arriving young recruits, that after travelling down Route 13 and passing the Toccoa Casket Company they would be arriving at Camp "Tombs". Sink persuaded the Department of the Army to change the name to Camp Toccoa.
All paratrooper trainees were required to regularly run up Currahee Mountain which overlooked Camp Toccoa. This arduous task was memorialized in the HBO series, Band of Brothers, with the shout "three miles up, three miles down." Members of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment referred to themselves as "Currahees" (it is anglicized name derived from the Cherokee word gurahiyi, which may mean "standing alone"). Currahee Mountain is on the insignia of the 506th regiment in recognition of the peak's importance in the formation of the regiment. (Wikipedia)
Speaking of WWII books adapted into great books or series, historian Stephen Ambrose died on October 13, 2002. He published numerous books on Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lewis and Clark, but he's best known as the author of Band Of Brothers: E Company, 506th, Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Unfortunately, his reputation has been a bit tarnished by accusations of plagiarism and factual errors, but his legacy does include being a co-founder of the great National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
E Company was first assembled at Camp Toccoa in North Georgia in 1942. The training camp originally known as Camp Toombs,after Confederate General Robert Toombs, was conceived in 1938. The Georgia National Guard and the Works Projects Administration began construction on 17 January 1940 with the site being dedicated on 14 December 1940. Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, did not like the name. He thought it would prompt superstitions among the arriving young recruits, that after travelling down Route 13 and passing the Toccoa Casket Company they would be arriving at Camp "Tombs". Sink persuaded the Department of the Army to change the name to Camp Toccoa.
All paratrooper trainees were required to regularly run up Currahee Mountain which overlooked Camp Toccoa. This arduous task was memorialized in the HBO series, Band of Brothers, with the shout "three miles up, three miles down." Members of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment referred to themselves as "Currahees" (it is anglicized name derived from the Cherokee word gurahiyi, which may mean "standing alone"). Currahee Mountain is on the insignia of the 506th regiment in recognition of the peak's importance in the formation of the regiment. (Wikipedia)
Thing.
Paratroopers.
Speaking of WWII books adapted into great books or series, historian Stephen Ambrose died on October 13, 2002. He published numerous books on Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lewis and Clark, but he's best known as the author of Band Of Brothers: E Company, 506th, Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Unfortunately, his reputation has been a bit tarnished by accusations of plagiarism and factual errors, but his legacy does include being a co-founder of the great National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The first operational military parachute jump from 1600 feet was logged in the night of August 8/9 1918 by Italian assault troops. Arditi Lieutenant Alessandro Tandura jumped from a Savoia-Pomilio SP.4 aircraft of the Gruppo speciale Aviazione I piloted by Canadian Major William George Barker and British Captain William Wedgwood Benn (both Royal Air Force pilots), when Tandura dropped behind Austro-Hungarian lines near Vittorio Veneto on a reconnaissance and sabotage mission, followed on later nights by Lts. Ferruccio Nicoloso and Pier Arrigo Barnaba. (Wikipedia)
During WWII, the Germans made the first extensive use of paratroopers, but the Allies soon followed suit. Around 13,100 American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions made night parachute drops early on D-Day, June 6, followed by 3,937 glider troops flown in by day.
Paratroopers.
Speaking of WWII books adapted into great books or series, historian Stephen Ambrose died on October 13, 2002. He published numerous books on Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Lewis and Clark, but he's best known as the author of Band Of Brothers: E Company, 506th, Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Unfortunately, his reputation has been a bit tarnished by accusations of plagiarism and factual errors, but his legacy does include being a co-founder of the great National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The first operational military parachute jump from 1600 feet was logged in the night of August 8/9 1918 by Italian assault troops. Arditi Lieutenant Alessandro Tandura jumped from a Savoia-Pomilio SP.4 aircraft of the Gruppo speciale Aviazione I piloted by Canadian Major William George Barker and British Captain William Wedgwood Benn (both Royal Air Force pilots), when Tandura dropped behind Austro-Hungarian lines near Vittorio Veneto on a reconnaissance and sabotage mission, followed on later nights by Lts. Ferruccio Nicoloso and Pier Arrigo Barnaba. (Wikipedia)
During WWII, the Germans made the first extensive use of paratroopers, but the Allies soon followed suit. Around 13,100 American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions made night parachute drops early on D-Day, June 6, followed by 3,937 glider troops flown in by day.
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Person.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
Doyle (1859-1930) was prolific, writing fantasy and sci-fi, plays, romances, poetry, historical novels, and nonfiction, but he will forever be remembered, much to his chagrin while alive, as the creator of the world's greatest detective. Born in Edinburgh to Irish Catholic parents, his childhood was chaotic due to his father's alcoholism and poverty, but wealthy uncles sent him to school in England. The school was extremely harsh and rigid, run according to medieval Catholic principles, and Doyle disliked it and turned to agnosticism and mystic spiritualism as an adult.
Back in Edinburgh to study medicine, he began writing short stories. His first practice as a doctor wasn't all that successful, allowing him more time to write. He eventually sold the first Holmes and Watson story, "A Study in Scarlet", in 1886. His writing career took off, but public and publisher demands forced him to continue writing Holmes stories in order to pay his bills and get other work published, and he soon grew tired of the character.
Aside from writing, he tried real life investigation of closed cases a few times, and he delved deeper and deeper into mystic spiritualism, participating in numerous seances, psychic readings, ESP tests, and paranormal investigations. For a while, he was close friends with Harry Houdini, believing that he had supernatural powers. Houdini explained it was all trickery and debunked many spiritualists leading to the dissolution of their friendship. Holmes went on to defend many spiritualists, mediums, and frauds like the famous fairy photographs of Cottingley.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
Doyle (1859-1930) was prolific, writing fantasy and sci-fi, plays, romances, poetry, historical novels, and nonfiction, but he will forever be remembered, much to his chagrin while alive, as the creator of the world's greatest detective. Born in Edinburgh to Irish Catholic parents, his childhood was chaotic due to his father's alcoholism and poverty, but wealthy uncles sent him to school in England. The school was extremely harsh and rigid, run according to medieval Catholic principles, and Doyle disliked it and turned to agnosticism and mystic spiritualism as an adult.
Back in Edinburgh to study medicine, he began writing short stories. His first practice as a doctor wasn't all that successful, allowing him more time to write. He eventually sold the first Holmes and Watson story, "A Study in Scarlet", in 1886. His writing career took off, but public and publisher demands forced him to continue writing Holmes stories in order to pay his bills and get other work published, and he soon grew tired of the character.
Aside from writing, he tried real life investigation of closed cases a few times, and he delved deeper and deeper into mystic spiritualism, participating in numerous seances, psychic readings, ESP tests, and paranormal investigations. For a while, he was close friends with Harry Houdini, believing that he had supernatural powers. Houdini explained it was all trickery and debunked many spiritualists leading to the dissolution of their friendship. Holmes went on to defend many spiritualists, mediums, and frauds like the famous fairy photographs of Cottingley.
Place.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
In 1920, Doyle wrote an article about fairies for The Strand magazine, and he used illustrations of the Cottingley Fairies as evidence that fairies and other psychic phenomena exist.
Cottingley, a small suburban village of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England, enjoyed a brief moment when, in 1917, two cousins, Elsie Wright (age 16) and Frances Griffiths (9) claimed to have seen and interacted with fairies in a wooded area near their home, and they provided photos to prove it. It's really unclear if he actually believed the photos were real; he did have a few experts examine them and was told they were faked. However, his use may have temporarily legitimized them. Interest soon waned amongst the general public. In the 1980s, the "girls" finally admitted that they had cut out fairy pictures and faked the photos.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
In 1920, Doyle wrote an article about fairies for The Strand magazine, and he used illustrations of the Cottingley Fairies as evidence that fairies and other psychic phenomena exist.
Cottingley, a small suburban village of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England, enjoyed a brief moment when, in 1917, two cousins, Elsie Wright (age 16) and Frances Griffiths (9) claimed to have seen and interacted with fairies in a wooded area near their home, and they provided photos to prove it. It's really unclear if he actually believed the photos were real; he did have a few experts examine them and was told they were faked. However, his use may have temporarily legitimized them. Interest soon waned amongst the general public. In the 1980s, the "girls" finally admitted that they had cut out fairy pictures and faked the photos.
Thing.
Sportsman.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
Besides being an extremely prolific author and engaging in all of his paranormal investigation, Doyle may have been the most athletic author.
He played football as a goalkeeper for the Portsmouth Association Football Club. He was an accomplished cricketer, forming two teams, the Allahakbarries and the Authors XI alongside fellow writers J. M. Barrie, P. G. Wodehouse and A. A. Milne. In 1900, Doyle founded the Undershaw Rifle Club at his home, constructing a 100-yard range and providing shooting for local men. In 1901, Doyle was one of three judges for the world's first major bodybuilding competition, which was organised by the "Father of Bodybuilding", Eugen Sandow.
Doyle was an amateur boxer and a sometime referee. He was an avid golfer. the Crowborough Beacon Golf Club in Sussex for 1910. He entered the English Amateur billiards championship in 1913. While living in Switzerland, Doyle became interested in skiing, which was relatively unknown in Switzerland at the time. He wrote an article, "An Alpine Pass on 'Ski'" for the December 1894 issue of The Strand Magazine, in which he described his experiences with skiing and the beautiful alpine scenery that could be seen in the process. The article popularised the activity and began the long association between Switzerland and skiing.
Sportsman.
On October 14, 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a collection of 12 stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally published in The Strand magazine, was published.
Besides being an extremely prolific author and engaging in all of his paranormal investigation, Doyle may have been the most athletic author.
He played football as a goalkeeper for the Portsmouth Association Football Club. He was an accomplished cricketer, forming two teams, the Allahakbarries and the Authors XI alongside fellow writers J. M. Barrie, P. G. Wodehouse and A. A. Milne. In 1900, Doyle founded the Undershaw Rifle Club at his home, constructing a 100-yard range and providing shooting for local men. In 1901, Doyle was one of three judges for the world's first major bodybuilding competition, which was organised by the "Father of Bodybuilding", Eugen Sandow.
Doyle was an amateur boxer and a sometime referee. He was an avid golfer. the Crowborough Beacon Golf Club in Sussex for 1910. He entered the English Amateur billiards championship in 1913. While living in Switzerland, Doyle became interested in skiing, which was relatively unknown in Switzerland at the time. He wrote an article, "An Alpine Pass on 'Ski'" for the December 1894 issue of The Strand Magazine, in which he described his experiences with skiing and the beautiful alpine scenery that could be seen in the process. The article popularised the activity and began the long association between Switzerland and skiing.
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Person.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
Elwyn Brooks White (1899-1985) wrote some of the most beloved children's books of all time, like Charlotte, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan, but he also co-wrote The Elements of Style, an important guidebook for authors for decades. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and went to work for the United Press (now UPI) before joining the staff of the Seattle Times in 1922. He tried copy writing in advertising briefly and then took a job with The New Yorker magazine, on the condition that he only worked in the office in Thursdays ,(ahead of his time). He was described as a shy, quiet man who often ducked out of his office onto the fire escape to avoid people.
He turned to writing children's books in the late 1930s, the first being Stuart Little.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
Elwyn Brooks White (1899-1985) wrote some of the most beloved children's books of all time, like Charlotte, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan, but he also co-wrote The Elements of Style, an important guidebook for authors for decades. He graduated from Cornell University in 1921 and went to work for the United Press (now UPI) before joining the staff of the Seattle Times in 1922. He tried copy writing in advertising briefly and then took a job with The New Yorker magazine, on the condition that he only worked in the office in Thursdays ,(ahead of his time). He was described as a shy, quiet man who often ducked out of his office onto the fire escape to avoid people.
He turned to writing children's books in the late 1930s, the first being Stuart Little.
Place.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
When White worked at the New Yorker magazine, he originally only worked in his office on Thursdays. He was always a shy, quiet, and unassuming man. One friend, writer James Thurber, said that he was the only writer he knew who could walk into the famous Algonquin Hotel, a hangout for the city's writers, and be unrecognized. When unknown visitors showed up to his office, he was known to avoid meeting them by going out the window and down the fire escape to a nearby location of Schraft's, a popular lunch counter and dessert shop owned by the Schraft's candy company. The candy company was founded in Boston, but a new owner in 1898 started opening restaurants. By 1937, there were 43 locations, most in New York City with a few in Boston and Philadelphia.
Schrafft's was known for an air of gentility typical of the upper-middle-class home. Cooks, supervisors, and even some executives were women. Menus of the 1920s and 1930s included many salads, more desserts than entrees, and vegetable selections such as creamed cauliflower and fried eggplant.
Business slowed in the 1960s, restaurants were closed by the end of the 1970s, and the candy company shut down in 1981.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
When White worked at the New Yorker magazine, he originally only worked in his office on Thursdays. He was always a shy, quiet, and unassuming man. One friend, writer James Thurber, said that he was the only writer he knew who could walk into the famous Algonquin Hotel, a hangout for the city's writers, and be unrecognized. When unknown visitors showed up to his office, he was known to avoid meeting them by going out the window and down the fire escape to a nearby location of Schraft's, a popular lunch counter and dessert shop owned by the Schraft's candy company. The candy company was founded in Boston, but a new owner in 1898 started opening restaurants. By 1937, there were 43 locations, most in New York City with a few in Boston and Philadelphia.
Schrafft's was known for an air of gentility typical of the upper-middle-class home. Cooks, supervisors, and even some executives were women. Menus of the 1920s and 1930s included many salads, more desserts than entrees, and vegetable selections such as creamed cauliflower and fried eggplant.
Business slowed in the 1960s, restaurants were closed by the end of the 1970s, and the candy company shut down in 1981.
Thing.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
The two most prestigious awards in American children's literature are the Newbery Medal, first awarded in 1922, and the Caldecott Medal, first awarded in 1938.
The Newberry is named after John Newbery, an 18th century English publisher of children's books, and it is awarded to "the most distinguished" author of the year. The Caldecott is named after English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, and it is awarded to the most outstanding illustrator of the year.
Charlotte's Web was awarded the Newbery in 1953.
Harper & Brothers published Charlotte's Web by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams on October 15, 1952.
The two most prestigious awards in American children's literature are the Newbery Medal, first awarded in 1922, and the Caldecott Medal, first awarded in 1938.
The Newberry is named after John Newbery, an 18th century English publisher of children's books, and it is awarded to "the most distinguished" author of the year. The Caldecott is named after English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, and it is awarded to the most outstanding illustrator of the year.
Charlotte's Web was awarded the Newbery in 1953.
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Person.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
While he is famous for Americanizing the dictionary, first publishing one in 1806, he also published numerous spellers, readers, and grammar books used in classrooms and homes for centuries. During the 1800s, if a home had a book besides the Bible, it was most likely Webster's dictionary. His spellers, readers, and grammars were used and passed down to multiple hands, putting them among the most influential and read books of all time. For a while, he was extremely prolific; one modern bibliography of all of his writings is itself 655 pages long.
He was a very outspoken man, a devoted patriot during the Revolution, a dedicated Federalist Party journalist, and a devout Congregationalist in faith.
His longest lasting works, the dictionaries, spellers, and readers, were all published with nationalistic and patriotic goals. He sought to standardize American education and culture and to remove European influence. During the 1830s, there were large influxes of Catholic Irish and German immigrants, among others. Webster believed that they needed to be assimilated as soon as possible. A common language and educational experience were ways to achieve that.
When creating his dictionary and spellers, he didn't really create spellings (like removing the U in British words honour, colour, labour, etc.), he chose a variation that was in use. His goal was to create a uniquely American English that all citizens would share.
There's a great chapter about Webster in Jess McHugh's book, Americanon.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
While he is famous for Americanizing the dictionary, first publishing one in 1806, he also published numerous spellers, readers, and grammar books used in classrooms and homes for centuries. During the 1800s, if a home had a book besides the Bible, it was most likely Webster's dictionary. His spellers, readers, and grammars were used and passed down to multiple hands, putting them among the most influential and read books of all time. For a while, he was extremely prolific; one modern bibliography of all of his writings is itself 655 pages long.
He was a very outspoken man, a devoted patriot during the Revolution, a dedicated Federalist Party journalist, and a devout Congregationalist in faith.
His longest lasting works, the dictionaries, spellers, and readers, were all published with nationalistic and patriotic goals. He sought to standardize American education and culture and to remove European influence. During the 1830s, there were large influxes of Catholic Irish and German immigrants, among others. Webster believed that they needed to be assimilated as soon as possible. A common language and educational experience were ways to achieve that.
When creating his dictionary and spellers, he didn't really create spellings (like removing the U in British words honour, colour, labour, etc.), he chose a variation that was in use. His goal was to create a uniquely American English that all citizens would share.
There's a great chapter about Webster in Jess McHugh's book, Americanon.
Place.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Webster lived in New Haven Connecticut for much of his life. His home served as a dormitory for Yale University students from 1918 to 1936, when it was obtained by Henry Ford and moved to Greenfield Village where it was restored. Greenfield Village was dedicated in 1929 as the first historic village of its kind in the US. Historical homes and buildings were purchased by Henry Ford, moved and restored, or re-created, as part of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
(Still on my list of must-see museums. I hope to get there one day.)
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Webster lived in New Haven Connecticut for much of his life. His home served as a dormitory for Yale University students from 1918 to 1936, when it was obtained by Henry Ford and moved to Greenfield Village where it was restored. Greenfield Village was dedicated in 1929 as the first historic village of its kind in the US. Historical homes and buildings were purchased by Henry Ford, moved and restored, or re-created, as part of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
(Still on my list of must-see museums. I hope to get there one day.)
Things.
Spellings.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Not all of Webster's proposed new American spellings were adopted. Thanks to Mental Floss, here are 26 words that didn't catch on.
Cloke: Cloak
Soop: Soup
Masheen: Machine
Tung: Tongue
Greef: Grief
Dawter: Daughter
Korus: Chorus
Nightmar: Nightmare
Turnep: Turnip
Iland: Island
Porpess: Porpoise
Steddy: Steady
Hainous: Heinous
Thum: Thumb
Gillotin: Guillotine
Spunge: Sponge
Ake: Ache
Wimmin: Women
Determin: Determine
Giv: Give
Bilt: Built
Beleev: Believe
Grotesk: Grotesque
Stile: Style
Neer: Near
Sley: Sleigh
Spellings.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Not all of Webster's proposed new American spellings were adopted. Thanks to Mental Floss, here are 26 words that didn't catch on.
Cloke: Cloak
Soop: Soup
Masheen: Machine
Tung: Tongue
Greef: Grief
Dawter: Daughter
Korus: Chorus
Nightmar: Nightmare
Turnep: Turnip
Iland: Island
Porpess: Porpoise
Steddy: Steady
Hainous: Heinous
Thum: Thumb
Gillotin: Guillotine
Spunge: Sponge
Ake: Ache
Wimmin: Women
Determin: Determine
Giv: Give
Bilt: Built
Beleev: Believe
Grotesk: Grotesque
Stile: Style
Neer: Near
Sley: Sleigh
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Person.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Newly crowned and wed rulers of Spain Ferdinand and Isabella were eager to consolidate their power and land holdings and to win the support of the Pope. In order to accomplish this, they began a crusade, the Reconquista, to drive all heretics, i.e. Muslims and Jews who had lived in Spain for centuries, out of the peninsula. As their armies took control, non-Catholics were given three choices: flee, convert, or die. Thousands converted, becoming conversos (former Jews) and moriscos (former Muslims or Moors), but they were always viewed with suspicion. Some converted in all outward and public appearances, but others continued practicing their faith in private. Informers, some driven by zealotry, others by greed or personal animosity, began accusing converts of heresy.
Torquemada 's job was to root out the heretics, and he and his courts of the Inquisition did so with gusto. While some converts were interrogated simply by questioning or being forced to eat pork, others were physically and mentally tortured, Many of the "guilty" were executed by burning at the stake.
The Spanish Inquisition officially lasted 300 years before being abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte. Modern historians estimate that, in those three centuries, 150,000 were prosecuted for various offenses, and between 3,000 and 5,000 were executed.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Newly crowned and wed rulers of Spain Ferdinand and Isabella were eager to consolidate their power and land holdings and to win the support of the Pope. In order to accomplish this, they began a crusade, the Reconquista, to drive all heretics, i.e. Muslims and Jews who had lived in Spain for centuries, out of the peninsula. As their armies took control, non-Catholics were given three choices: flee, convert, or die. Thousands converted, becoming conversos (former Jews) and moriscos (former Muslims or Moors), but they were always viewed with suspicion. Some converted in all outward and public appearances, but others continued practicing their faith in private. Informers, some driven by zealotry, others by greed or personal animosity, began accusing converts of heresy.
Torquemada 's job was to root out the heretics, and he and his courts of the Inquisition did so with gusto. While some converts were interrogated simply by questioning or being forced to eat pork, others were physically and mentally tortured, Many of the "guilty" were executed by burning at the stake.
The Spanish Inquisition officially lasted 300 years before being abolished by Napoleon Bonaparte. Modern historians estimate that, in those three centuries, 150,000 were prosecuted for various offenses, and between 3,000 and 5,000 were executed.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
Places.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Numerous buildings important in the life of Torquemada and in the history of the Spanish Inquisition still stand as historic reminders.
He served as Prior of the monastery of Santa Cruz at Segovia Spain. There, he forged a relationship with Princess Isabella I, and they became religious and ideological compatriots. He served as her personal confessor and advisor, and he took the same role with Ferdinand after their marriage.
After being named Grand Inquisitor by the Pope, he hosted a general assembly in Seville in 1485, at which he promulgated the 28 articles if faith that would be used to guide the inquisitors in their work. The Castillo de San George now houses the Museum of the Spanish Inquisition.
In 1494, he stepped down as Grand Inquisitor and went to live in the St. Thomas Aquinas Monastery in Avila. There, he lived the simple life of a monk, typically only leaving his room (cell) to tend to the spiritual needs of the royal family. He died there in 1498. Buried there, his tomb was robbed in 1832, and his bones were allegedly burned.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Numerous buildings important in the life of Torquemada and in the history of the Spanish Inquisition still stand as historic reminders.
He served as Prior of the monastery of Santa Cruz at Segovia Spain. There, he forged a relationship with Princess Isabella I, and they became religious and ideological compatriots. He served as her personal confessor and advisor, and he took the same role with Ferdinand after their marriage.
After being named Grand Inquisitor by the Pope, he hosted a general assembly in Seville in 1485, at which he promulgated the 28 articles if faith that would be used to guide the inquisitors in their work. The Castillo de San George now houses the Museum of the Spanish Inquisition.
In 1494, he stepped down as Grand Inquisitor and went to live in the St. Thomas Aquinas Monastery in Avila. There, he lived the simple life of a monk, typically only leaving his room (cell) to tend to the spiritual needs of the royal family. He died there in 1498. Buried there, his tomb was robbed in 1832, and his bones were allegedly burned.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
Things.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Inquisitors used many methods and devices in their "inquisitions," i.e. torture sessions designed to force confessions out of accused heretics. The strappado was usually not as elaborate as the system pictured here. The accused would have their hands tied behind their back, similar to handcuffing. A rope would be tied to the wrists and passed over a pulley, beam, or hook, depending upon the place where the torture took place. As the accused was pulled off of the ground, they were hanging from their arms. Then, they were dropped. At the very least,shoulders would be dislocated.
Water torture was also used. The accused would lay on his or her back and be strapped to a board. Securing the ankles, wrists, arms, and legs was essential to prevent the accused from thrashing around. Once secured, a rag or some type of cloth would be inserted into the mouth. Officials of the tribunal would then pour water over the rag, mimicking the sensation of drowning.
The rack has a long history of use. A person would be secured to a board at the wrists and the ankles with some type of cuff, then chains would be attached to the cuffs. The chains would be attached to a wheel and a crank would turn the wheel. As the chains were tightened, the body would stretch and joints, ligaments, and tendons would snap, crack, and pop.
Finally, there's the wheel. Intended as capital punishment, it sometimes was used as a form of torture. Generally, a wagon wheel was used and the accused or convicted would be stretched over the wheel. Then they would be beaten. The spaces between the spokes would allow bones to break upon contact with a club or other device.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.
Inquisitors used many methods and devices in their "inquisitions," i.e. torture sessions designed to force confessions out of accused heretics. The strappado was usually not as elaborate as the system pictured here. The accused would have their hands tied behind their back, similar to handcuffing. A rope would be tied to the wrists and passed over a pulley, beam, or hook, depending upon the place where the torture took place. As the accused was pulled off of the ground, they were hanging from their arms. Then, they were dropped. At the very least,shoulders would be dislocated.
Water torture was also used. The accused would lay on his or her back and be strapped to a board. Securing the ankles, wrists, arms, and legs was essential to prevent the accused from thrashing around. Once secured, a rag or some type of cloth would be inserted into the mouth. Officials of the tribunal would then pour water over the rag, mimicking the sensation of drowning.
The rack has a long history of use. A person would be secured to a board at the wrists and the ankles with some type of cuff, then chains would be attached to the cuffs. The chains would be attached to a wheel and a crank would turn the wheel. As the chains were tightened, the body would stretch and joints, ligaments, and tendons would snap, crack, and pop.
Finally, there's the wheel. Intended as capital punishment, it sometimes was used as a form of torture. Generally, a wagon wheel was used and the accused or convicted would be stretched over the wheel. Then they would be beaten. The spaces between the spokes would allow bones to break upon contact with a club or other device.
Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.
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Person.
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow. According to Ken Burns, he was the "most famous and the most notorious" black man on Earth.
As a boy in Galveston, he grew up in a neighborhood that was poor, but not racially segregated. He said that he never felt excluded or victimized because he was part of a group of white boys that always treated him equally. After five years of formal education, he went to work on the docks. He discovered boxing, left Galveston, and moved to New York City where he got a job as a janitor in a boxing gym, allowing him to train and to learn. His professional debut came in November 1, 1898. Boxing was segregated then; there were white and "colored" champions. White champions avoided Johnson for years until 1908.
Johnson was a flamboyant champion, vocal, direct, boastful - always backing it up in the ring- and he loved showing off his wealth, fast cars, and white women. All of this angered many white Americans, making him a target of harassment. On October 18, 1912, he was arrested for violating the federal Mann Act for transporting a woman -his future white wife- across state lines for "immoral purposes." He was later convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. President Trump formally pardoned him in 2018. He died in a car crash in North Carolina in 1946, speeding away from a diner that refused service.
Unforgivable Blackness is his biography and the source of a great Ken Burns documentary.
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow. According to Ken Burns, he was the "most famous and the most notorious" black man on Earth.
As a boy in Galveston, he grew up in a neighborhood that was poor, but not racially segregated. He said that he never felt excluded or victimized because he was part of a group of white boys that always treated him equally. After five years of formal education, he went to work on the docks. He discovered boxing, left Galveston, and moved to New York City where he got a job as a janitor in a boxing gym, allowing him to train and to learn. His professional debut came in November 1, 1898. Boxing was segregated then; there were white and "colored" champions. White champions avoided Johnson for years until 1908.
Johnson was a flamboyant champion, vocal, direct, boastful - always backing it up in the ring- and he loved showing off his wealth, fast cars, and white women. All of this angered many white Americans, making him a target of harassment. On October 18, 1912, he was arrested for violating the federal Mann Act for transporting a woman -his future white wife- across state lines for "immoral purposes." He was later convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. President Trump formally pardoned him in 2018. He died in a car crash in North Carolina in 1946, speeding away from a diner that refused service.
Unforgivable Blackness is his biography and the source of a great Ken Burns documentary.
Place.
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow.
In 1912, many white Chicagoans and newspapers were outraged and offended when Johnson opened a posh fine dining restaurant in the Bronzeville" section of the city. It was called Cafe de Champion. The outrage was because it was a "black and tan," an establishment open to black and white diners, and Johnson mingled with all the guests. The restaurant also hosted jazz and blues musicians who normally didn't play for integrated audiences, even in northern states.
Unfortunately, tragedy led to the Cafe's closing. Three months after opening, Johnson's white wife Etta, who managed the restaurant, shot killed herself in the upstairs apartment. She had previously attempted suicide, according to reports. Speculation was that Johnson's physical abuse and infidelity were contributing factors.
Within a few months, Johnson was seeing another white woman, an 18-year old former prostitute and drug addict named Lucille, whom he eventually married. On October 18, 1912, he was arrested for violating the federal Mann Act, transporting a woman (Lucille) across state lines for "immoral purposes." He was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. In 2018, he was formally pardoned by President Trump.
Unforgivable Blackness is his biography and the source of a great Ken Burns documentary.
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow.
In 1912, many white Chicagoans and newspapers were outraged and offended when Johnson opened a posh fine dining restaurant in the Bronzeville" section of the city. It was called Cafe de Champion. The outrage was because it was a "black and tan," an establishment open to black and white diners, and Johnson mingled with all the guests. The restaurant also hosted jazz and blues musicians who normally didn't play for integrated audiences, even in northern states.
Unfortunately, tragedy led to the Cafe's closing. Three months after opening, Johnson's white wife Etta, who managed the restaurant, shot killed herself in the upstairs apartment. She had previously attempted suicide, according to reports. Speculation was that Johnson's physical abuse and infidelity were contributing factors.
Within a few months, Johnson was seeing another white woman, an 18-year old former prostitute and drug addict named Lucille, whom he eventually married. On October 18, 1912, he was arrested for violating the federal Mann Act, transporting a woman (Lucille) across state lines for "immoral purposes." He was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. In 2018, he was formally pardoned by President Trump.
Unforgivable Blackness is his biography and the source of a great Ken Burns documentary.
Thing.
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow.
On October 18, 1912, Johnson was arrested under the federal Mann Act which forbade taking women across state lines for "immoral purposes." The woman in question later became his wife, and she was white. The prosecution and conviction were racially motivated.
The Mann Act, also known as the White Slave Traffic Act was passed in 1910 and was named after Illinois Congressman James Mann.
From Wikipedia:
"In its original form the act made it a felony to engage in interstate or foreign commerce transport of "any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose". Its primary stated intent was to address prostitution, immorality, and human trafficking, particularly where trafficking was for the purposes of prostitution. It was one of several acts of protective legislation aimed at moral reform during the Progressive Era. In practice, its ambiguous language about "immorality" resulted in it being used to criminalize even consensual sexual behavior between adults. It was amended by Congress in 1978 and again in 1986 to limit its application to transport for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sexual acts."
Jack Johnson, "the Galveston Giant," (1878-1946) became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion and held the title from 1908 to 1915, at the height of Jim Crow.
On October 18, 1912, Johnson was arrested under the federal Mann Act which forbade taking women across state lines for "immoral purposes." The woman in question later became his wife, and she was white. The prosecution and conviction were racially motivated.
The Mann Act, also known as the White Slave Traffic Act was passed in 1910 and was named after Illinois Congressman James Mann.
From Wikipedia:
"In its original form the act made it a felony to engage in interstate or foreign commerce transport of "any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose". Its primary stated intent was to address prostitution, immorality, and human trafficking, particularly where trafficking was for the purposes of prostitution. It was one of several acts of protective legislation aimed at moral reform during the Progressive Era. In practice, its ambiguous language about "immorality" resulted in it being used to criminalize even consensual sexual behavior between adults. It was amended by Congress in 1978 and again in 1986 to limit its application to transport for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sexual acts."
Person.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
King didn't even want to be there. He was worried about getting arrested - this would be his first time - and he didn't want to take any of the spotlight away from the Atlanta University students who had organized and led the protests. His childhood friend and neighbor, Lonnie C. King, Jr, no relation, was the leader, and he convinced Martin to take part. MLK was arrested. The others arrested were freed almost immediately, but certain players decided to keep him in jail. Then, he was sent to Reidsville State Prison. He had gotten a traffic citation in Decatur, an Atlanta suburb, for driving w/o a license, even though he had a valid Alabama license. He pleaded guilty on advice of his lawyer, not realizing that put him on probation. Authorities now claimed he had violated his probation.
The next nine days were a horror for King's family, rightly afraid that something might happen to him in custody. The resulting actions of the Nixon and Kennedy campaigns had a huge impact on American history that the book Nine Days explains thoroughly.
Lonnie King, 1936-2019, was a student at Morehouse College when he launched the Atlanta Student Movement that led to the desegregation of over 300 Atlanta restaurants. I was greatly honored to meet him and hear him tell the story just a couple of years before he died.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
King didn't even want to be there. He was worried about getting arrested - this would be his first time - and he didn't want to take any of the spotlight away from the Atlanta University students who had organized and led the protests. His childhood friend and neighbor, Lonnie C. King, Jr, no relation, was the leader, and he convinced Martin to take part. MLK was arrested. The others arrested were freed almost immediately, but certain players decided to keep him in jail. Then, he was sent to Reidsville State Prison. He had gotten a traffic citation in Decatur, an Atlanta suburb, for driving w/o a license, even though he had a valid Alabama license. He pleaded guilty on advice of his lawyer, not realizing that put him on probation. Authorities now claimed he had violated his probation.
The next nine days were a horror for King's family, rightly afraid that something might happen to him in custody. The resulting actions of the Nixon and Kennedy campaigns had a huge impact on American history that the book Nine Days explains thoroughly.
Lonnie King, 1936-2019, was a student at Morehouse College when he launched the Atlanta Student Movement that led to the desegregation of over 300 Atlanta restaurants. I was greatly honored to meet him and hear him tell the story just a couple of years before he died.
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Place.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. It was his first time being jailed That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
The Atlanta Student Movement had targeted the Rich's department store because of its segregated dining room, the Magnolia Room. Rich's was one of the most prestigious department store chains in the South, founded in 1867 and headquartered in Atlanta. For decades, genteel white ladies from the city and the suburbs would spend the day shopping and then enjoy a lunch, coffee, dessert, afternoon tea, or a fashion show in the Magnolia Room, waited on by black staff members serving dishes made by black cooks. Meanwhile black customers were welcomed(-ish) to shop, but not allowed to sit in the Magnolia.
The sit-ins led to desegregation at Rich's in 1961. MLK's arrest, however, led to his stay in the local jail and transfer to the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. His family, friends, and supporters had legitimate fears that he would be injured or even killed while in custody. Several men in the Kennedy and Nixon presidential campaigns shared their concern and saw opportunities to raise political capital.
Nine Days is an excellent book that details the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that the public didn't know before.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. It was his first time being jailed That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
The Atlanta Student Movement had targeted the Rich's department store because of its segregated dining room, the Magnolia Room. Rich's was one of the most prestigious department store chains in the South, founded in 1867 and headquartered in Atlanta. For decades, genteel white ladies from the city and the suburbs would spend the day shopping and then enjoy a lunch, coffee, dessert, afternoon tea, or a fashion show in the Magnolia Room, waited on by black staff members serving dishes made by black cooks. Meanwhile black customers were welcomed(-ish) to shop, but not allowed to sit in the Magnolia.
The sit-ins led to desegregation at Rich's in 1961. MLK's arrest, however, led to his stay in the local jail and transfer to the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. His family, friends, and supporters had legitimate fears that he would be injured or even killed while in custody. Several men in the Kennedy and Nixon presidential campaigns shared their concern and saw opportunities to raise political capital.
Nine Days is an excellent book that details the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that the public didn't know before.
Thing.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. It was his first time being jailed That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
The Atlanta Student Movement had targeted the Rich's department store because of its segregated dining room, the Magnolia Room.
Members of the movement coordinated sit-ins and urged black shoppers to boycott segregated stores. The word boycott refers to an organized effort to stop business and other dealings with an entity until it makes a desired change.
The word boycott comes from the name of Charles Boycott. Boycott was the agent of an absentee British landlord in Ireland in 1880 when he evicted tenants and refused to listen to their demands for lowered rents. Irish nationalists encouraged his tenants and those on surrounding lands to stop working for him and supplying food and service. The Times of London was the first to use the word in print in November 1880.
The boycott and sit-ins led to desegregation at Rich's in 1961. MLK's arrest, however, led to his stay in the local jail and transfer to the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. His family, friends, and supporters had legitimate fears that he would be injured or even killed while in custody. Several men in the Kennedy and Nixon presidential campaigns shared their concern and saw opportunities to raise political capital.
Nine Days is an excellent book that details the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that the public didn't know before.
On October 19, 1960, Rev. MLK, Jr. was one of 79 people arrested at a sit-in at the restaurant of the downtown Atlanta Rich's department store. It was his first time being jailed That arrest became a pivotal moment in the 1960 presidential election, and most Americans don't know the story.
The Atlanta Student Movement had targeted the Rich's department store because of its segregated dining room, the Magnolia Room.
Members of the movement coordinated sit-ins and urged black shoppers to boycott segregated stores. The word boycott refers to an organized effort to stop business and other dealings with an entity until it makes a desired change.
The word boycott comes from the name of Charles Boycott. Boycott was the agent of an absentee British landlord in Ireland in 1880 when he evicted tenants and refused to listen to their demands for lowered rents. Irish nationalists encouraged his tenants and those on surrounding lands to stop working for him and supplying food and service. The Times of London was the first to use the word in print in November 1880.
The boycott and sit-ins led to desegregation at Rich's in 1961. MLK's arrest, however, led to his stay in the local jail and transfer to the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. His family, friends, and supporters had legitimate fears that he would be injured or even killed while in custody. Several men in the Kennedy and Nixon presidential campaigns shared their concern and saw opportunities to raise political capital.
Nine Days is an excellent book that details the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that the public didn't know before.
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Person.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Born in Glasgow Scotland in 1962, Ferguson began his career in the UK as a member of a punk band (with former Dr. Who Peter Capaldi), actor, and comedian before moving to New York. After a while doing odd jobs and dealing with addictions, he landed a role on The Drew Carey Show before being tapped to host The Late Late Show, which was required viewing in our house. We recorded every night and watched the next day. No current American talk show host today, day or night, comes close to being as great
He was so much more than your average host. His best shows were the ones in which he interviewed important people with stuff to say, sometimes for the whole hour, like Desmond Tutu, Stephen Fry, and several other authors of great books, some of which have been featured here.
Ferguson himself has written two great memoirs, American on Purpose, and Riding the Elephant. His only novel, so far, Between the Bridge and the River, was a favorite of mine as well. It reminds me very much of one of my favorite novels ever, A Confederacy of Dunces.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Born in Glasgow Scotland in 1962, Ferguson began his career in the UK as a member of a punk band (with former Dr. Who Peter Capaldi), actor, and comedian before moving to New York. After a while doing odd jobs and dealing with addictions, he landed a role on The Drew Carey Show before being tapped to host The Late Late Show, which was required viewing in our house. We recorded every night and watched the next day. No current American talk show host today, day or night, comes close to being as great
He was so much more than your average host. His best shows were the ones in which he interviewed important people with stuff to say, sometimes for the whole hour, like Desmond Tutu, Stephen Fry, and several other authors of great books, some of which have been featured here.
Ferguson himself has written two great memoirs, American on Purpose, and Riding the Elephant. His only novel, so far, Between the Bridge and the River, was a favorite of mine as well. It reminds me very much of one of my favorite novels ever, A Confederacy of Dunces.
Place.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Ferguson was born in Glasgow Scotland in 1962. Glasgow is the largest city by population in Scotland and the fourth largest in the UK.
From Wikipedia:
"Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland, and tenth largest by tonnage in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric and royal burgh, and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century onwards, the city also grew as one of Britain's main hubs of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the population and economy of Glasgow and the surrounding region expanded rapidly to become one of the world's pre-eminent centres of chemicals, textiles and engineering; most notably in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels. Glasgow was the "Second City of the British Empire" for much of the Victorian and Edwardian Eras."
Ferguson himself has written two great memoirs, American on Purpose, and Riding the Elephant. His only novel, so far, Between the Bridge and the River, was a favorite of mine as well. It reminds me very much of one of my favorite novels ever, A Confederacy of Dunces.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Ferguson was born in Glasgow Scotland in 1962. Glasgow is the largest city by population in Scotland and the fourth largest in the UK.
From Wikipedia:
"Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland, and tenth largest by tonnage in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric and royal burgh, and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century onwards, the city also grew as one of Britain's main hubs of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the population and economy of Glasgow and the surrounding region expanded rapidly to become one of the world's pre-eminent centres of chemicals, textiles and engineering; most notably in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels. Glasgow was the "Second City of the British Empire" for much of the Victorian and Edwardian Eras."
Ferguson himself has written two great memoirs, American on Purpose, and Riding the Elephant. His only novel, so far, Between the Bridge and the River, was a favorite of mine as well. It reminds me very much of one of my favorite novels ever, A Confederacy of Dunces.
Thing.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Ferguson has also written three critically acclaimed movies. It was announced earlier this year that one of the three, "Saving Grace," will be adapted into a musical slated for London's West End in 2023, and Ferguson plans to play a role.
Today's post is a little different. Tonight we're going to see one of our all-time favorite comedians, hosts and celebrities ever, former Late, Late Show host (best by far) Craig Ferguson. This will be our third or fourth time seeing him live, and we know it will be an awesome show.
Ferguson has also written three critically acclaimed movies. It was announced earlier this year that one of the three, "Saving Grace," will be adapted into a musical slated for London's West End in 2023, and Ferguson plans to play a role.
Place.
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Webster lived in New Haven Connecticut for much of his life. His home served as a dormitory for Yale University students from 1918 to 1936, when it was obtained by Henry Ford and moved to Greenfield Village where it was restored. Greenfield Village was dedicated in 1929 as the first historic village of its kind in the US. Historical homes and buildings were purchased by Henry Ford, moved and restored, or re-created, as part of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
(Still on my list of must-see museums. I hope to get there one day.)
Noah Webster was born in October 16, 1758 ( died 1843).
Webster lived in New Haven Connecticut for much of his life. His home served as a dormitory for Yale University students from 1918 to 1936, when it was obtained by Henry Ford and moved to Greenfield Village where it was restored. Greenfield Village was dedicated in 1929 as the first historic village of its kind in the US. Historical homes and buildings were purchased by Henry Ford, moved and restored, or re-created, as part of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
(Still on my list of must-see museums. I hope to get there one day.)
