Fist-pounding arguments, vitriolic debates, name calling, public disturbances, and an assault by an armed mob have all been a part of the history of the U.S. Congress. Prior to the Civil War the acrimony was especially acute dividing the country into two major camps that led to war. In more recent times the rules of […]
VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS Read More »
During the period from November, 1926, to June, 1985, famous U.S. Route 66 was the primary highway corridor from the Midwestern U.S. to the Pacific Coast. It began in Chicago near Grant Park, crossed through eight states, transversed 2,448 miles, and ended at the pier in Santa Monica, California. It was the subject of pop
HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN ON ROUTE 66? Read More »
Although the Federal Reserve has said that it will leave the door open for more interest rate hikes should rampant inflation revive, the interest rate tightening cycle is nearly complete. The rampant inflation factor in the economy has been checked for now, but how soon will interest rates be reduced? Too Low Too Long: Since
INTEREST RATES ARE LEVELING OFF, BUT WHEN WILL THEY DECREASE? Read More »
The year 2023 has officially become the hottest year on record, and it is worth taking a look at how the greenhouse effect and the growth of population and fossil fuel consumption in particular has contributed to where we are today with global warming. Origins: The study of climate change dates as far back as
CLIMATE CHANGE DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1824 Read More »
One of history’s greatest sculptors performed one of the finest artistic projects of all time by putting his mallet and chisel down in favor of a paint brush. The artist was Michelangelo, the project was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. About the Sistine Chapel: Called the Cappella Maggiore, the first structure was
MICHELANGELO’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: THE SISTINE CHAPEL Read More »
On Halloween, young and old alike dress up as witches, ghosts, monsters, and other forms of apparitions in the American traditional way of celebrating All Saints Day (November 1) on the day before (October 31). It’s all in good fun, but there was a time in this country when witches and witchcraft were taken very,
THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS Read More »
At their last supper together, Jesus Christ and his disciples shared a sip of wine from a cup in what became a communal ritual for the Christian Church. The ritual continues to this day, but whatever happened to the cup and where it currently resides remains the subject of a vast amount of (mostly) medieval
THE STORY OF THE HOLY GRAIL Read More »
At no time during the American Revolution were the American Colonies able to match the British Royal Navy at sea. However, with only a modest navy the Continental Congress resorted to commissioning private citizens to arm vessels and attack British shipping for profit. The results put a positive tilt on the war in the American
HOW PRIVATEERING AIDED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Read More »
In September of 31 BC, Octavian defeated the naval forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. Shortly thereafter he became Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor. For the next 211 years the Roman Empire enjoyed an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity that became known as Pax Romana. It encompassed the
PAX ROMANA—ANCIENT ROME’S GREATEST ERA OF PROSPERITY Read More »
In September of 1973, the Chilean Army marched on the Presidential Palace in Santiago and ousted the popularly elected socialist president, Salvador Allende. What followed was brutal repression, murder and torture, as General Augusto Pinochet seized control and ruled with an iron fist for the next seventeen years. At the time democracy was lost in
THE 1973 COUP IN CHILE–FIFTY YEARS AFTER Read More »