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Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Lives of the Enslaved in Colonial Newport
(Note: This essay was originally published on February 28, 2019, in the Newport Daily News. It is the fourth essay in a series on “Slavery in Rhode Island.”) Enslaved African Americans of colonial Newport lived and worked, and even sometimes … Continue reading
The Business of Slavery in Colonial Newport
(Note: This is the third essay in a series on “Slavery in Rhode Island.” This essay was originally published by the Newport Daily News on January 26, 2019.) The histories of colonial Newport and of slavery in the New World … Continue reading
The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19
(This essay was originally published as “Remembering the Great Influenza Pandemic” by the Newport Daily News on December 17, 2018.) One hundred years ago this month the world was celebrating the end of World War I; however, it was still … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged flu epidemic, great infuenza pandemic, Spanish flu pandemic
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The Armistice Ends the “Great War”
(This essay was originally published by The Newport Daily News on November 10, 2018.) One hundred years ago, at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, the armistice—the cessation of fighting—took effect, ending the … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Armistice, doughboys, ending of World War I, First World War, The Great War, World War I
3 Comments
Can I Really Be 70!?
(This essay was originally published by The Newport Daily News on October 11, 2018.) Dear Readers, I am stunned to look at my calendar and realize I shall this month reach the distinguished age of 70. Tell me how this … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Fred Zilian, Getting older, Reaching 70, seventy years of age
8 Comments
Real American Heroes and Fake Ones
(Note: This essay was originally published as “A Missed Opportunity to Celebrate True Heroes,” by The Hill on September 7, 2018. http://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/405404-a-missed-opportunity-to-celebrate-true-heroes ) In his reaction to the passing of John McCain, a true American hero, President Trump regrettably has … Continue reading
The Battle of Rhode Island (Part II)
(This essay was originally published as “Recounting the Battle of Rhode Island,” by the Newport Daily News on August 29, 2018.) (Note: This is the second of two essays, celebrating the 240th anniversary of the battle.) The American victory in … Continue reading
The Battle of Rhode Island (Part I)
(This essay was originally published as “Recounting the Battle of Rhode Island” by the Newport Daily News on August 28, 2018.) (Note: This is the first of two essays, celebrating the 240th anniversary of the battle.) Beginning with the Sugar … Continue reading
We Must All Be Historians Now: Exploring the inequality of sources with my students
(Note: This essay was originally published as “Perhaps Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Should Not Have Dropped Out of Harvard,” by the History News Network on July 22.) The full-page ad that Facebook recently ran (May 26) in the Wall Street Journal … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Facebook, fake news, historical method, history, Zuckerberg
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1968: High Water Mark of Turbulent 1960s
(This essay was originally published as “1968 was the high water mark in a decade of discord,” by the Newport Daily News on June 12, 2018.) Fifty years ago Sen. Robert Kennedy was assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in downtown … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 1960s, 1968, Robert Kennedy assassination, Tet Offensive, The Sixties
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