The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 152
The Magna Carta, signed on June 15, 1215, stands as one of the most significant documents in the annals of history, a cornerstone of the modern understanding of democracy, justice, and governance. Its creation was a moment of profound consequence, shaping not only medieval England but also the course of constitutional development worldwide. The Historical Context The Magna Carta did not appear out of thin air; it was born from a tumultuous era of political strife and rebellion. King John of...
On June 16, 1897, officials from the United States and the Republic of Hawaii signed a treaty formalizing Hawaii's annexation into U.S. territory. Although the treaty paved the way for Hawaii's integration into American governance, the Republic of Hawaii would not be officially dissolved until July 7, 1898, when the U.S. Congress ratified the annexation through the Newlands Resolution. Background: Hawaii's Political Shift The signing of the treaty followed years of political upheaval in Hawaii....
June 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today is Juneteenth. This is a federal and state holiday. Banks, schools, courthouses, government offices, and some businesses will be closed today in acknowledgement of the holiday celebrating the arrival of federal troops in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 2025 during the War Between the States. The federal troops brought the news that President Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves. While Lincoln - who was dead by this time - had issued the Emancipation...
On June 22, 1945, after nearly three months of brutal combat, the Battle of Okinawa-the final and bloodiest land battle of the Pacific Theater in World War II-came to a close. The organized resistance of the Imperial Japanese Army collapsed in the Mabuni area, located on the southern tip of Okinawa's main island, marking a pivotal moment in the war's final chapter. A Prolonged and Devastating Campaign Launched on April 1, 1945, the Allied invasion of Okinawa was part of Operation Iceberg, a...
On May 26, 1940, the Battle of Dunkirk commenced, marking a significant moment in World War II where Allied forces began a desperate and daring evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. This event, known as Operation Dynamo, became a symbol of bravery, resilience, and the extraordinary efforts to save the trapped soldiers. The Prelude to Dunkirk The situation for the Allied forces became increasingly dire in May 1940. The German army, employing Blitzkrieg tactics, had swiftly advanced...
On May 24, 2000, Israel completed a significant and historic military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, ending a 22-year occupation that had profoundly impacted the politics and lives of people in the region. This momentous event was the culmination of years of conflict, strategic maneuvers, and diplomatic efforts. The Background of the Occupation In 1978, following a series of attacks by Palestinian militants, Israel launched Operation Litani, a military campaign to push back against the...
On May 17, 1987, a tragic event unfolded in the Persian Gulf. An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet launched two Exocet missiles at the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark. This unexpected attack resulted in the loss of 37 sailors and injuries to 21 more. Background During the late 1980s, the Persian Gulf was a region of intense conflict, primarily due to the Iran-Iraq War. Both nations targeted oil tankers and military vessels to disrupt each other's economic and military capabilities. The U.S....
On May 25, 1977. the first Star Wars film was released. The movie starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guiness, and Harrison Ford was a commercial success and spawned what became a cultural movement. Prior to the release of Star Wars, which has since been retitled 'Star Wars : Episode IV: A New Hope' science fiction was a niche market for Hollywood. There were more crime movies and westerns than sci-fi movies. That all changed with the box office of Star Wars. The movie is ostensibly about...
There is only one place on the continental United States where enemy action killed American citizens. 80 years ago in Bly, Oregon, 5 people died when a Japanese bomb exploded. The bomb had been sent over by a balloon to cause indiscriminate damage and loss of life. America's mainland has generally been spared the destruction of war that has ravaged so many countries in the last century. Until September 11, offensive attacks on the United States mainland were limited to sabotage efforts executed...
On May 22. 334 BC, the Macedonian army led by Alexander the Great achieved a decisive victory over Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. This battle marked the beginning of Alexander's ambitious campaign to conquer the Persian Empire and establish his dominance as one of history's greatest military commanders. Background and Prelude to the Battle The Granicus River, located in northwestern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), was the site of the first major clash between Alexander's...
On May 28, 1503 a Papal Bull was issued authorizing the marriage of King James IV of Scotland with Princess Margaret Tudor - the daughter of the King of England Henry VII. In the annals of history, certain alliances forged through marriage have had profound impacts on the political landscapes of nations. One such significant union was the marriage between James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor, a union that not only symbolized the merging of two royal houses but also heralded a period of peace...
The Fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453, marks a significant turning point in world history. The city, once a bastion of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Ottoman armies led by Sultan Mehmed II Fatih after a prolonged 53-day siege. This event not only marked the end of the Byzantine Empire but also signaled the rise of the Ottomans as a dominant power in the region. The historical and cultural implications of this event have reverberated through the centuries, shaping the course of European...
Last October, I had the privilege of conducting a wedding in our little country church. The groom is a retired U.S. Army corporal. The bride is a direct descendant of Patrick Henry. Born 29 May 1736, Henry is the subject of my column for May. Most Americans, when they think of Patrick Henry, are reminded of his timeless words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” They think of Henry as a great orator but not much else. But an orator’s power to move people wells from the depth of conviction in hi...
One of America’s most famous combat correspondents was killed 80 years ago on the island of Ie Shima in Japan. Pulitzer Prize winner Ernie Pyle died when a burst of enemy machine gun struck him in the head. His death was mourned throughout the country, from President Harry Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt to General Eisenhower to the masses of infantrymen Pyle wrote about throughout the war. He was a journalist of the old school, providing the facts from his experience embedded with combat troops and...
C-Span recently featured John Grinspan speaking about the Wide Awakes, a topic covered on the Abbeville Blog and in Chapter Seven of my book, Union At All Costs: From Confederation to Consolidation. As early as 1856, numerous paramilitary clubs were organized in support of the Republican Party. Examples included the Rocky Mountain Clubs, Freedom Clubs, and the notorious Wide Awakes. This organization differed from the previous group of New Yorkers who wore the Wide Awake moniker. The originals...
On this day in 1551, the Council of Trent resumed under the oversight of Pope Julius III, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church and the Counter-Reformation. Pope Julius III, known as the Counter-Reformation Pope, played a crucial role in guiding the council towards addressing the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation and reinforcing the doctrines of the Church. Historical Context The Council of Trent, convened in response to the Protestant Reformation, had...
On May 3 1963, the all White police force in Birmingham, Alabama, radically changed its approach in handling the "Birmingham campaign" protesters. The local authorities, known for their oppressive tactics, responded with violent force to suppress the demonstrators. This brutal event, captured in stark images, was transmitted worldwide, casting an intense spotlight on the African-American Civil Rights Movement. The repercussions of this momentous day reverberated far beyond Birmingham, altering...
On May 4, 1942, a significant event in World War II unfolded as the Battle of the Coral Sea began. This battle marked a critical turning point in the Pacific Theater, as it was the first major encounter between aircraft carriers from the United States and Japanese naval forces. The clash took place when aircraft from the USS Yorktown launched an attack on Japanese naval forces at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The Japanese had invaded Tulagi the day before, setting the stage for this...
By: Will Sellers World War II ended in Europe 80 years ago, but without obtaining its stated objective. The cause of the war — the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Poland — went unrealized. Poland had merely traded Nazi occupation for Russian domination. For all the high-minded conjecture about a safer, more secure world, the fate of Poland was completely lost in the shuffle. The future peace and stability of a new world order sacrificed Poland to the Soviet sphere of inf...
Many Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but how many actually know the story of the holiday? Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo doesn't mark Mexican Independence, which is celebrated on Sept. 16. Instead, it's meant to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, which was fought between the Mexican and French armies in 1862. In Mexico's long and storied history, the Battle of Puebla is generally considered a fairly minor event. But its legacy lives on a century and a half later, particularly in...
On May 6, 1863, the last day of the Battle of Chancellorsville ended with a Confederate victory and stands as one of the most remarkable engagements of the American Civil War, a testament to strategic brilliance and the complexities of warfare. Fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, this battle pitted the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee, against the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General Joseph Hooker. Prelude to...
On May 7, 1954 besieged French military forces at Dien Bien Phu surrendered to Vietnamese revolutionary forces. It was a French defeat but it would have far-reaching consequences Introduction The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, a pivotal event in the First Indochina War, marked a significant turning point in the colonial history of Southeast Asia. This decisive confrontation between the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps and the Viet Minh Communist revolutionaries took place from March...
On May 11, 1310, the skies above France witnessed a grim spectacle that marked a dark chapter in history. Fifty-four members of the esteemed Knights Templar were burned at the stake, accused of heresy by the French Crown and the Church. This tragic event was the culmination of a series of political maneuvers, betrayals, and relentless pursuit of power. Origins of the Knights Templar The Knights Templar was founded in 1119, initially as a monastic military order dedicated to protecting Christian...
The 13th of May, 1943, marked a significant turning point in the course of World War II. On this day, the German Afrika Korps and Italian troops stationed in North Africa surrendered to the Allied forces, signaling the end of the North African Campaign and paving the way for subsequent Allied victories in Europe. The North African Campaign The North African Campaign began in June 1940 and was a critical theater of World War II. It involved a series of battles for control of the Suez Canal, a vit...
On May 15, 1997, the United States government publicly acknowledged the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos, a covert operation that spanned from 1964 to 1973 during the Vietnam War. This pivotal moment in history marked a significant step toward recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of Hmong and other ethnic groups who played crucial roles in the clandestine conflict. The "Secret War" in Laos The "Secret War" in Laos was a covert campaign led by the United States Central Intelligence A...
