Category Archives: Uncategorized

Women and the Civil War

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Fred Zilian

(The essay was originally published as “Women and the War,” by the Newport Daily News on February 4, 2015.) While most women were content to remain at home and to focus on the home and their families when their husbands … Continue reading →

Amid Horrors of 1864, R.I. Soldier Perseveres

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Fred Zilian

Through the battles, death, mud and misery of 1864, Elisha Hunt Rhodes, a Civil War soldier from the village of Pawtuxet, Cranston, was sustained by his indomitably positive spirit, a deep religious faith, and a firm commitment to the Union … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged All for the Union, American Civil War, Civil War, Elisha Hunt Rhodes, Fred Zilian, Rhode Island | 1 Comment

The Great (Berlin) Wall of China

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published as “1989: A year of protests,” in the Newport Daily News on November 8, 2014.) Twenty-five years ago on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, leading not only to the unification of East and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Berlin Wall, China, Chinese Communist Party, East Germany, Fall of the Berlin Wall, Fred Zilian, Freedom Now, Germany, Great Wall of China, Hong Kong, political power in China, SAR, supreme authority in China, Tianamen, West Germany | 2 Comments

The Columbus Day Debate

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published as “Don’t junk Columbus and other heroes,” in the Providence Journal on October 13, 2014.) Like the celebration of Thanksgiving, which has been squeezed severely by the commercialism of Halloween at one end and Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Age of Discovery, American civilization, American heroes, Columbus, Columbus Day, Columbus Day argument, Columbus Day controversy, Columbus Day debate, discovery of America, Fred Zilian, New World | Leave a comment

To Help Climate: Decrease Footprint; Increase Handprint

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published in the Providence Journal on October 7, 2014.) President Obama’s speech at the United Nations on September 23, underlining the urgency for action on climate change to over 100 assembled world leaders at the UN … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged carbon dioxide in atmosphere, climate change, compost heap, decrease footprint, Fred Zilian, increase handprint, People's Climate March, recycle, UN Climate Summit, what individuals can do to help climate change | Leave a comment

World War II Begins

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News as “Long March Back to War,” on August 30, 2014.) Seventy-five years ago today, Nazi Germany attacked Poland and began World War II, a war that lasted until August 1945, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Adolf Hitler, appeasement, Attack on Poland, Beginning of World War II, Benito Mussolini, Causes of World War II, Fred Zilian, Munich Conference, Second World War, Versailles Treaty, World War II | 4 Comments

Sean Spicer (‘89) Shares Thoughts on Life and Leadership

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(The essay was first published in the Portsmouth Abbey School Bulletin, Summer, 2014.) Sean Spicer believes in family, God, trust, hard work, determination, gratitude, service, and seizing opportunities. It is also clear that the Abbey’s hallmark values of reverence, respect, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Fred Zilian, leadership, Portsmouth Abbey School, Republican National Committee, sean spicer background, sean spicer bio, sean spicer career, Sean Spicer family, sean spicer life | 11 Comments

Fall of Atlanta Boosts Lincoln’s Re-Election Hopes

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published as “Tide of war turns at last,” in the Newport Daily News on August 16, 2014.) After the stunning Northern victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July 1863, Northern hopes were high that the war … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abraham Lincoln, American Civil War, Civil War, Election of 1864, Fall of Atlanta, Fred Zilian, Lincoln's re-election, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman | Leave a comment

“The Great War” Begins: July 28 is the 100th Anniversary of World War I

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on July 26, 2014.) For many Europeans, the early 1900s must have been exciting and hopeful times. The Industrial Revolution, beginning 150 years earlier, had given them a higher standard … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Archduke Franz Ferdinand, causes of World War I, Fred Zilian, start of World War I, Triple Alliance, Triple Entente, war, World War I | 1 Comment

Returning Home to Hasbrouck Heights

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published as a letter to the editor–abridged– by The Record (North Jersey) on July 24, 2014.) There is something both comforting and disquieting about returning to one’s home town after many years. With voices both pushing me … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Hasbouck Heights 1950s, Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights 1960s, Hasbrouck Heights high school, Hasbrouck Heights memories, history of Hasbrouck Heights, memories Hasbrouck Heights, Returning to Hasbrouck Heights, Zilian Hasbrouck Heights | 23 Comments

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