This is a book that had been sitting on my “to read” pile for some time. I am so glad that I finally picked it up. The author, Dave R. Palmer, is the former Superintendent of West Point and he brings a military eye to both of these men. Unlike other books about these opposite … More BOOKS: George Washington and Benedict Arnold – A Tale of Two Patriots
Nathan Hale’s luck ran out on September 21. After volunteering to spy on the British, Hale had gone to Connecticut and sailed to Long Island. He landed in present day Huntington and proceeded into Brooklyn all along taking notes of troop movements. After the British entered Manhattan, Hale sailed across the East River entering the … More One Life to Give
New Yorkers were awakened in the early hours of September 21, 1776 by the bells of churches announcing a fire. As in all colonial cities, citizens ran out with their buckets to attempt to put the fire out. But by the time the bells had started to peal the fire was out of control. The … More The Fire
Who was the last President of the United States inaugurated in New York City? Theodore Roosevelt? No, Chester A. Arthur. Who? That is how the conversation usually goes when I bring up President Arthur. This weekend marks the anniversary of his inauguration at 123 Lexington Avenue. Arthur, like fellow New Yorker Theodore Roosevelt, became president … More A President Surprises
Cadwalder Colden was one of the most prominent of colonial leaders in 1776. Colden is present at key moments leading up to the American Revolution beginning with the Stamp Act Crisis in 1765. Colden arrived in New York from Philadelphia in 1718 with the idea of practicing medicine, a graduate of the prestigious University … More Cadwalder Colden
Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. St. Elizabeth was also a typical New York girl of the early 19th century. Elizabeth Bayley or Betsy as she was called, was born into a wealthy Episcopal family in 1774. In 1777, her … More A New York Saint
Today will forever be linked with the horrific events of 2001. We remember today the city that we were on that beautiful, cloudless September morning and we mourn our loss. The loss of all those lives that were making a difference in big and small ways. We remember the tremendous courage of firemen, police and … More September 11
The month of September was a difficult one for the American forces in 1776. They escaped capture in August by retreating to Manhattan but the British clearly had the military advantage. Yet, by September 10, they had not closed the military trap. It was true that General William Howe had positioned his troops along the … More September 10, 1776: A Volunteer Steps Forward
The recent book by Nick Bunker, An Empire on the Edge, is a great read for anyone interested in the American Revolution. It was the winner of the George Washington Book Prize for 2015 and it follows the pattern of last year’s winner, The Men Who Lost America. As has been the trend lately in history … More BOOKS: An Empire on the Edge – How Britain Came to Fight America
As we relax on the beach, sit at barbecues, or agonize over our local baseball team Americans should give a thought to the workers of the late 19th century who came up with the idea of a “Labor” holiday. That is because they didn’t usually have holidays. The idea of a holiday celebrating labor was … More Labor Day
Bowery & Canal 