America
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History Today: The Alamo
Texas was once a Mexican state, when a push for independence from within became strong; a desire to be free from the rule of the Mexican government. Colonel William Travis was seen as a vital leader of this uprising. The Texas revolution began in 1835 and in February of 1836 Travis was appointed as a lieutenant colonel of the San Antonio troops. It was on February 23, that a surprise arrival of the Mexican army under General Santa Ana sent the Texas troops retreating into the old Spanish mission, the Alamo. It was there that they sought refuge from the 5,000 soldiers of the Mexican army. The Alamo defenders were 186 small. Knowing they were seriously outnumbered, Travis…
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History of Skid Row
The term “Skid Row” derives from Seattle. Washington, where “skid roads” were the places that loggers slid their cut timber to the ports for shipment. By the 1930’s the term referred to the rundown areas of cities, characterized by bars, brothels and the like originally attracted by loggers, and began to include the presence of homeless and other extremely low income populations.
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Benjamin Franklin’s Electrical Kite
We have all heard the story about Franklin flying a kite in a thunderstorm and proving that lightening is electric and the charge it creates can be collected in a Leyden jar. History purports that this experiment by Franklin took place on June 10, 1752, but there are those who question if Franklin actually ever said that he did the experiment and that instead it may have been more of a thought experiment than a practical test he enacted in reality. To learn more and decide for yourself read the 2003 New Yorker book review American Electric Did Franklin fly that kite?
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Woodstock Music & Art Fair Music Festival Performers
Bethel, New York from August 15 to August 18, 1969 Musicians: Richie Havens – 5:07pm – 7:00pm “The Minstrel from Gault” “From the Prison/Get Together/From the Prison” “I’m a Stranger Here” “High Flying Bird” “I Can’t Make It Anymore” “With a Little Help from My Friends” “Handsome Johnny” “Strawberry Fields Forever / Hey Jude” “Freedom (Motherless Child)” Swami Satchidananda – gave the invocation for the festival – 7:10pm – 7:20pm Sweetwater – 7:30pm – 8:10pm “Motherless Child” “Look Out” “For Pete’s Sake” “What’s Wrong” “Crystal Spider” “Two Worlds” “Why Oh Why” “Let the Sunshine In” “Oh Happy Day” “Day Song” Bert Sommer – 8:20pm – 9:15pm “Jennifer” “The Road to…
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Folk Singer Pete Seeger Dies
Known for such popular hit songs: “If I Had a Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” and anthem for civil rights, “We Shall Overcome.” has died at the age of 94. Read More
