Historical

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
Last year, I wanted to transform the afterschool classroom for the kids at my job into an extremely low budget museum, exhibiting people of color they may have never heard of. February was a showcase of Black men and women who deserve more recognition for their impact on the world. For March, I got started on the next exhibit, honoring solely women, predominately women of color. The goal was for the children to get inspiration. To see that their current circumstances do not automatically determine how their lives are going to turn out. To ponder the existence of their own greatness.
By Jada Ferguson5 years ago in FYI
Break a Leg - Why?
If you have been raised around or been involved with the theatre in any way, you probably have heard the saying - Break A Leg. Or even just in general, this is a natural response to wish someone good luck. But why?
By Ted Ryan5 years ago in FYI
Happy birthday, James Madison. Did you know...
Today, March 16, is James Madison's birthday. He was our 4th President and has rightly been called the "father of the Constitution," but did you know he had studied for the clergy before entering political life? Here's a short description of his life journey that included his fight for liberty of consciousness and religious freedom.
By Bill Petro5 years ago in FYI
Dramatic Origins: The Can-Can
Everyone’s heard of the Can-Can. We all know it as the upbeat tune that a group of women in long skirts dance to and do lots of high kicks. To us, it’s fun, sexy, and even comical. But back when it first rose to fame, it was called salacious, scandalous, and raunchy.
By Jaye Ruggiero-Cash5 years ago in FYI
The Smartest Dog of All Time?
The phrase, "a dog is man's best friend," originated in the Supreme Court in 1870. Lawyer George Graham Vest defended a man who deeply loved his coon hound named Old Drum. A neighbor shot Old Drum for trespassing on his property. Vest argued that the man not only took the life of a pet, but he killed an important family member.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
The Untold Truth of Our Educational System
"We shall not try to make these people, or any of their children, into philosophers, or men of learning or science. We are not to raise up among them authors, orators, poets, or men of letters. We shall not search for embryo great artists, painters, musicians. Nor will we cherish even the humbler ambition to raise from among them lawyers, doctors, preachers, statesmen, of whom we now have ample supply." -Rev. Frederick T. Gates, Business Advisor to John D. Rockefeller Sr., 1913
By Bobby Bushnell5 years ago in FYI
The Wonderboy X-100
For several summers during my Junior and Senior High years, my younger brother and I mowed yards. We hauled a lawnmower and a weed eater in the trunk of my family's Oldsmobile Delta '88 and cut grass for about 15 different households in our community. After a couple of years with only a push mower Lawn Boy, we added a Snapper Riding Mower to our arsenal, and welcomed another 10 lawns. We didn't get rich, but we both added money to our bank accounts and wallets. Most days, the heat drove us to mow early in the morning and later in the evening. But, at least we weren't mowing in the 1830's or whacking weeds with a scythe.
By Bryan R..5 years ago in FYI
The Man & Fairytale Behind The Word "Serendipity"
Serendipity. It's a famous restaurant in New York City. It's a great romantic comedy. It's a fun word to say. Serendipity is not only one of my favorite movies that I watch every year at Christmas time, but it's also my favorite word. I love it because of its meaning. I also love saying it. It's just a fun word to say, isn't it?
By Lizzy Heartwood5 years ago in FYI
Lessons from the Iron Lung
Lingering Fear I was born in 1957, two years after widespread use of the polio vaccine. American parents had only recently stopped asking, “Do you want to end up in an iron lung?” when children begged to go outside in the summer.
By Cindy Shore Smith5 years ago in FYI
Uncommon Knowledge Related to the American Civil War and Slavery
I recently read an article titled "The Confederacy was a con job on whites and still is." You can read it in its entirety by clicking on the link. The information shared gave me a totally different perspective regarding this period of history. This led me to research other aspects of American slavery and the Civil War and I found out something quite interesting. The reality of the Antebellum era is quite different than what most people perceive. The following information brings to light some uncommon knowledge about this nation during the 1800s.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in FYI
Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria was a beautiful 15 year old Princess who married a much older Prince. Moving to a new country, she had to learn a new language, a new way of life and practised her faith amongst ‘infidels.’ This Queen showed courage, as well as intelligence, during a very difficult period within the English history.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff5 years ago in FYI
PAINTING FOREVER
Throughout the course of history and over time, artists have continuously evolved in terms of their techniques and art. The late 19th and 20th century was the time when art truly developed into the forms we all know today. A myriad of colors, untold stories and expressions were illustrated on canvases like never seen before. Some artists became renowned, owing to the techniques they invented and some left their mark with their innovative painting styles.
By Dandelionclub5 years ago in FYI