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WAS LIZZIE BORDEN GUILTY?
Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother 40 whacks When she saw what she had done She gave her father 41 Andrew Borden now is dead Lizzie hit him on the head Up Read more
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LADY OF THE MERCIANS
One of the most remarkable women in British history was Aethelflaed (869-918). She was the daughter of Alfred the Great. He was considered great because he defeated the Danes and pushed them into northern England. He ruled Wessex wisely from 877-899. He named his daughter “noble beauty”. At age Read more
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THE PERFECT CRIME
Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were rich boys attending graduate school at the University of Chicago. Having lived a pampered life, they came to the conclusion that they were superior to regular people. To prove it to themselves, they decided to pull off the perfect crime. On May 21, 1924, Read more
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Ike and Monty
In American History classes, teachers tend to talk about Eisenhower and Montgomery as simply the generals that helped win WWII. We don’t have time to talk about personalities or personal dynamics. Personalities and personal dynamics can influence history. Here’s the story behind the relationship of the most famous American general Read more
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ARISTIDES THE JUST
Today is the supposed birthday in 530 B.C. of Aristides of Athens. This famous politician was known as “the Just”. Here is a famous story involving his nickname. Aristides was a popular politician in ancient Athens. He was so respected that he was called “Aristides the Just”. Athens had a Read more
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THE ORIGIN OF “HOOKER”
When I was a teenager and reading on the Civil War, I learned that the word “hooker” came from Union General Joseph Hooker. (Then I looked up what a hooker was.) Tee hee! Well, it turns out that etymology was false. Historian Norman Eliason found it in print as Read more
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BENJAMIN BANNEKER
Benjamin Banneker was one of the first African-American intellectuals in America. He was born on November 9, 1731. His father was a freed black and his mother was the daughter of a white indentured servant. He was self-educated. He created an irrigation system for the family farm and built Read more
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BONFIRE NIGHT
On Nov. 5, Brits get together to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. They build a bonfire which they dance around. They sing chants and shoot off fireworks. They shout this poem: Remember, remember the firth of November / The gunpowder treason and plot / I know of no Read more
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WILFRED OWEN
One of the greatest poets of the Great War was born on March 18, 1893. He came from a middle class family. In grade school he became interested in poetry. He was influenced by the Bible and Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Keats. When the war broke out he Read more
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TEDDY’S BIRTHDAY
In honor of the 163rd anniversary of Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday, here is a list of trivia items about America’s most interesting President. – he was blinded in the left eye during a sparring match when he was President – he did not like to be called “Teddy”, as a child Read more