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Category Archives: Uncategorized
100-Year Anniversary of Deadly Battle of the Somme
(This essay was originally published as “Bloodiest of Bloody Battles,” in the Newport Daily News on July 12, 2016.) One hundred years ago this month, the Battle of the Somme began with British and French forces attacking entrenched German forces … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Battle of the Somme, First World War, Fred Zilian, trench warfare, World War I
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The Year There Was No Summer–200th Anniversary
(An abridged version of this essay was published as “The Year Without a Summer” by the Newport Daily News on June 21, 2016.) In recent decades we have become accustomed to hear how an event in a far-off place may … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 1815 weather, 1816 weather, Frankenstein, Fred Zilian, Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, Mount Tambora volcano, Nailer Tom, Napoleon, Tambora eruption, Thomas B. Hazard, Thomas Jefferson, volcanic eruption, Waterloo, year there was no summer, year without a summer
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Colony of Rhode Island Is First to Sever Allegiance to Great Britain
(This essay was originally published as “First in Independence,” on May 4, 2016, in the Newport Daily News.) Two hundred and forty years ago today, the colony of Rhode Island became the first of the thirteen colonies to sever its … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged British Empire, British imperialism, Charter of 1663, colonial resistance to British rule, colonial Rhode Island, colony of Rhode Island, Fred Zilian, Gaspee, Great Britain, Liberty, May 4 1776, Newport Junto, Rhode Island declares independence, Rhode Island's declaration of independence, the Rose, the Swan
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The Colonial Portsmouth Schoolhouse
(This essay was originally published as “Schoolhouse has survived centuries of change,” by the Newport Daily News on April 5, 2016.) Believing in “how excellent an ornament learning is to mankind,” the Town of Portsmouth three hundred years ago authorized … Continue reading
Despite Roger Williams’ Efforts, Providence Burns in 1676
(This essay was originally published as “Despite Roger Williams’ Efforts, Providence Burns Down,” in the Providence Journal on March 29, 2016.) Three hundred and forty years ago today Divine Providence did not smile kindly on the burgeoning town of Providence … Continue reading
The Humanities Keep Us Human
(Note: This essay was originally published in Education Week on January 6, 2015.) President Obama’s announcement in the fall 2014 of an additional $28 million to bolster STEM teachers was great news and reminded me of my passion for science … Continue reading
Mother Nature Does No Favors
(This essay was originally published as “Policies Must Respect, Protect Mother Nature,” on January 29, 2016, in the Newport Daily News.) The storms and low temperatures of the past few weeks remind us of the power and beauty of Mother … Continue reading
Marcus Aurelius and His Meditations
While many Roman emperors are infamous for their tyranny and debauchery, Marcus Aurelius is famous for his statesmanship, generalship, and intellect. He reigned as emperor, 161-180 CE, and is considered the last of what are called “the good emperors.” Edward … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Fred Zilian, How to live a good life, Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, philosophy, Plato, Stoicism, what is a good life
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A Tribute to Martin Luther King: Move over Lone Ranger
About twenty years ago, I attended a conference in California where we discussed the ideas of the famous 17th philosopher-scientist Francis Bacon. I learned much about him, but the greatest insight I gleaned was during a coffee break. I was … Continue reading
The Causes of Peace, Part VII: Guernica and the Horror of War on Innocents
The horror that war brings to non-combatants or “innocents” can help to restrain the initiation of war and to curb its most destructive tendencies once it has begun. The bombing of the city of Guernica, Spain, in 1937, showed the … Continue reading
Zilian Commentary 