Staff blogs
No One Wanted to Win This Lottery
On Dec. 1, 1969, the Selective Service conducted its first lottery to determine the order of call to military service in the Vietnam War; the lottery was for men born between 1944 and 1950.
Alcott Harvested the Fruits of Friendship
On Nov. 29, 1799, Amos Bronson Alcott was born in Wolcott, Connecticut; though he became well known as education reformer and teacher, it is the many lives that intersected with his that make his story fascinating.
The Interesting Mythology of William Blake
On Nov. 28, 1757, William Blake was born in London, England. His poetry, criticism and engraving revealed a penetrating vision of religious and personal mythology.
Freezing to Boiling in 100 Steps
On Nov. 27, 1701, Anders Celsius was born in Uppsala, Sweden; the astronomer proposed the centigrade temperature scale that the international standard is based on.
NHL's Birthday: Who Can Celebrate?
On Nov. 26, 1917, the owners of four hockey teams in Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa organized the National Hockey League.
Origins of Evolutionary Biology
On Nov. 24, 1859, John Murray published “On The Origin of Species, by Means of Natural Selection,” by Charles Darwin.
Acting Began in Tragedies
Perhaps on Nov. 23, 534 BCE, Thespis of Icaria eschewed the tradition of the Greek stage; wearing a mask, he spoke as Dionysus not himself. Two hundred years later, Aristotle calls it the first acting performance.
Our Traditions Free Us to Celebrate Thanks in our Own Ways
Thanksgiving, a time to recall the deliverances and bounties of our lives.
The Voice of the Enlightenment
On Nov. 21, 1694, Voltaire, the name that François-Marie Arouet published under, was born in Paris. He rejected the law for a chance to write, and became one of the most successful, and influential authors in history.
The Gettysburg Address
On Nov. 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln consecrated the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, where 3,155 Union soldiers died in a three-day battle, with one of America’s most memorable speeches.
Return to Sender
Today I received the fourth envelope of holiday return address labels from a worthy (I guess) charity begging a donation. Other organizations send out calendars, key chains -- even coins -- knowing guilt is a great motivator. That might work if I needed the labels. But one batch is more ...
Blood of Patriots
“We petition the Obama administration to: Peacefully grant the State of Tennessee to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government.”
'An Army Marches on Its Stomach'
On Nov. 17, 1749, Nicolas Appert was born in Châlons-en-Champagne, Marne, France; he invented “canning” as a way to preserve food.
Chilly Pipe Dreams
On Nov. 16, 1973, President Richard Nixon authorized the construction of the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline from the North Slope of Alaska to Port Valdez.
The Cyclone Strikes 'Em Out
Denton True Young earned the moniker Cyclone in 1890, and when he retired 21 years later he left baseball records in a shambles.
Robert Fulton Was an Artist, Inventor and Entrepreneur
On Nov. 14, 1765, American inventor Robert Fulton was born on a farm in Pennsylvania; he built the first workable submarine, the Nautilus, for Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800, and built the early warship.
Why I Have No Heroes
People are people. Profound, I know, but it explains why I have no heroes. I don't mean to pick on General David Petraeus, but he's a good -- and latest example. The general and, until last week, CIA director, was by all measures and accounts a good and honorable man. ...
You May Sit Where You Please
On Nov. 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws in Alabama that segregated buses, and heralded the end of “separate but equal” as legal segregation.
Our Future Workforce is Hungry
Last week, I was invited to participate in the annual career fair held in the gym at West Pine Middle School. Since this is my daughter's school, I jumped at the opportunity to see her in her "native environment" and do my level best either to impress or embarrass her. ...
Passing Through the Gates of Hell
On Nov. 12, 1840, François-Auguste-René Rodin was born in Paris; his sculptures were initially unappreciated, but wrought change and presaged a modern era in art.
