Category Archives: Uncategorized

Civilization’s Essentials, Part I: Faith

Stunned I was when my daughter informed me that my twin grandsons had their first Junior Pee Wee (10-11 year olds) football game on Sunday, August 28, here in Portsmouth, RI. College football did not begin until the following weekend, … Continue reading

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The Pentagon Celebrates 75 Years

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on September 10, 2016.) September 11 marks the 75th anniversary of the ground-breaking for the Pentagon, the home of the U.S. Department of Defense. It is also the 15th anniversary … Continue reading

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Rio Olympic Games Rooted in Ancient Greek Olympic Games

(This essay was originally published as “Ancient Roots of Olympics,” by the Newport Daily News on August 19, 2016.) Among their many other innovations, the ancient Greeks invented organized, competitive sports, commonly accepted to have begun in 776 BC. The … Continue reading

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Metacomet’s Death Ends King Philip’s War in Southern New England

(This essay was originally published as “1676: Metacomet’s Death Ends Bloody Colonial War,” by the Newport Daily News on August 12, 2016.) Three hundred and forty years ago today, Metacomet, chief sachem of the Wampanoags, was killed by the colonial … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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