History

Lincoln Memorial

What if Abe had landed a plumb paid internship when he was young?

By Justin Katz | December 22, 2022 |

That’s the question that comes to mind when I see an historical anecdote such as this from Jean-Marie Valheur (via Instapundit): You will often hear about his great speeches, wonderful quotes, witty little anecdotes here and there. Or insights into his complex marriage. His mental health issues and how he overcame them and carried on…

Kenneth Bowman, James Beck, and Darlene D'Arrezzo on State of the State

State of the State: RI State Police Museum Foundation

By Darlene D'Arezzo | July 3, 2022 |

Host Darlene D’Arezzo introduces viewers to the RI State Police Museum with retired Lieutenants Kenneth Bowman and James Beck.

A water drop and ripples

So much changes…

By Justin Katz | March 30, 2022 |

I’m glad to have learned about the Abernathy Boys’ cross-country adventures a century ago, but I do wonder.  Sure, the 10- and 6-year-olds’ adventures do echo across the decades as something lost.  And yet… their story was unique even then, and life has become less dangerous for children, which is a good thing. On the…

Richard August hosts Patrick Donovan on State of the State

State of the State: Varnum Armory Museum

By Richard August | March 13, 2022 |

Host Richard August speaks with Patrick Donovan of the Varnum Armory Museum.

A water drop and ripples

Why not just leave anachronistic “plantations” in place where it’s historical and difficult to remove?

By Justin Katz | March 8, 2022 |

Patrick Anderson follows up on the state’s ongoing efforts to change its official name everywhere, following a constitutional edit during the last election: You don’t have to look too hard to find the words Providence Plantations on state buildings, a year and a half after Rhode Island voters deleted them from the state name. The…

A drowning person's hand

We’re on a dangerous path with Whoopi Goldberg’s suspension.

By Justin Katz | February 3, 2022 |

She slipped up and exposed the direction of the narrative before all of the necessary special interests were pinned down.  Wokism, intersectionality, anti-racism, proclamations about “white supremacy”… in all of these variations on the theme, whiteness is bad, whiteness is everywhere, and racism only goes one way.  People of European descent are white; Jews are…

A water drop and ripples

Here’s a reminder that something historic is happening in Canada.

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2022 |

These events will surely be mentioned in history books, so it’s very strange that they aren’t a bigger part of the news: The border crossing between Coutts, Alberta (CA) and Sweet Grass, Montana (USA) continues to be blocked as truckers allied against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine passports are united.  The Alberta protests are in support…

A water drop and ripples

What if Native Americans displaced somebody else?

By Justin Katz | January 20, 2022 |

Rick Moran asks that dangerous question: So what happened to these older, primitive societies — the Clovis people and others who were clearly present in North and Central America before modern Native Americans? They no doubt had what they considered “their land” to hunt and forage. Who stole it from them and wiped them out?…

A water drop and ripples

Hey, why should historians be expected to be able differentiate the start and end dates of major events?

By Justin Katz | January 4, 2022 |

On various issues of public controversy recently (notably transgenderism), some conservatives have suggested that forcing the population to assent to outlandish propositions is the point.  Whether changing how society thinks about a particular matter is the central goal or incidental, progressives want to train the public to accept reality as whatever the activists say it is.…

Giovanni Battista Piranesi's Remains of the Praetorian Castro

Why should soldiers be satisfied with their wages?

By Justin Katz | December 12, 2021 |

John the Baptist’s suggestion to Roman soldiers in today’s Gospel reading at Roman Catholic Mass has always left me feeling as I was missing some historical context: And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none.…