Tag Archives: 19th Century

How fitting, we’re seeing A Christmas Carol today

Posted on December 5, 2021 by Steve

This will be my first time at the Zach Theatre. I’ve lived here for 27 years and never bothered. I’ve been to plays and operas at UT, just not the local theater group. Jennifer has seen this production before so … Continue reading →

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Italian #60: Giovanni Martino

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Steve

Giovanni is a really an odd character in History thanks to his two brushes with fame through coincidence. The latter, read on, is what made him a temporary celebrity in the US and it should’ve led to a cameo in … Continue reading →

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President Grant said it best in 1875

Posted on August 28, 2021 by Steve

President Grant is a tragic figure. Thanks to NeoConfederate lies and their success at rewriting History, “The Lost Cause” bullshit, they also got millions, including me, to believe he was a drunk in office. Nothing could be further from the … Continue reading →

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1876: The Battle of Greasy Grass ends in Custer’s defeat

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Steve

Most people refer to this as Little Bighorn but I prefer to go with the winners, a combined force of First Nations known as the Lakota, North Cheyenne and Arapaho. It’s also known as one of America’s biggest defeats in … Continue reading →

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Happy Juneteenth Day

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Steve

It’s nice to see what was often a Texas-based holiday finally become a National Holiday in the US. The more amazing thing was how many Republicans voted with the Democrats on this. Currently, they can’t even have a compromise on … Continue reading →

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1841: President Harrison dies

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Steve

William Harrison started off as the oldest person to be elected president in American history, 68 (a spring chicken compared to St. Reagan, Orange Foolius & Grampa’ Brunch) and the first Whig. Within a month, being the first to die … Continue reading →

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Someone rolled a ‘Natural 20’ on this French dude

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Steve

Just horrifying to see this relic from the final battle between Napoleon and the allied forces against him. My first thought was, who the hell decided to take this off Fraveau’s corpse to save for posterity? My next was, well, … Continue reading →

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Bad Company

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Steve

Besides being the first movie to use the title Bad Company (the name reappeared in 1995 and 2002, both as modern Action flicks), we can also blame the 1972 period piece for giving the AOR band its name; Paul Rodgers loved … Continue reading →

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1860: The beginning of modern Italy via Giuseppe Garibaldi

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Steve

One hundred and sixty years ago Garibaldi left Genoa with 1000 volunteers to invade the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In Garibaldi’s defense, the kingdom was an absolute monarchy and its ruler King Francis II, a Bourbon (blech!), wasn’t very … Continue reading →

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1870: Texas re-enters the Union

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Steve

If I remember my American History, Texas modified or rewrote its constitution to the satisfaction of Congress to regain its membership. With the “election” of Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 (or 1877), it was all for naught as the GOP … Continue reading →

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Happy Texas Independence Day 2020!

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Steve

I can never remember if state government offices are closed today. Might as well be, have a nice three-day weekend, get some errands completed! I’m sure the morons who promote Texas seceding get some electrons to waste via the SCLM, … Continue reading →

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1820: Missouri Compromise

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Steve

Congress back then found a way to kick the can down the road on slavery by admitting Missouri into the US as a slave state if Maine joined as a free state. Thus setting off the continuing battle of always … Continue reading →

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1869: Wyoming grants women the vote

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Steve

The article from the History Channel gives a list of reasons but I go with the more realistic one purported by Adam Ruins Everything…women had the power to get it through the world’s oldest profession and I’m not talking about farming. … Continue reading →

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1864: Grant promoted to General of the (US) Army

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Steve

After firing numerous generals and getting a resounding “no” from Italian hero Garibaldi, President Lincoln finally found the commander he could trust to defeat the Confederacy once and for all. Grant was also the only officer who didn’t suffer any … Continue reading →

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1819: US acquires Florida…America’s punchline

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Steve

Originally colonized by the Spanish, despite people already living there. The future state was then handed over to the English after the French & Indian War; spoils for Spain trying to aid the French. Then it returned to Spanish control … Continue reading →

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