America's North Shore Journal » American History
New York and the War of 1812
From 1812 to 1815, the United States fought Great Britain, its colonists in Canada and its Native American allies. New York State was at the center of the struggle, with both land and sea borders with Canada and seacoast on the Atlantic Ocean. The bicentennial begins in 2012 and will include events in and around the state. June 18, 1812 – Congress declares war on Great Britain. July 19, 1812 – USS Oneida drives off several British … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, Land Battles of the War of 1812, Naval Battles of the War of 1812, War of 1812
Jap subs attack Pearl Harbor, bombers also attack
The PBS series, NOVA, broadcast a show on January 5, 2010 about the mysteries around the Japanese submarine attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. I was able to participate in an interview with the researchers behind the work discussed on the program. While that show was generally accurate, there were some differences in emphasis and timing that did not agree with those of the original research. Historians have recognized since 1941 that the Japanese augmented their air attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor with a submarine attack. Some twenty submarines were deployed around the Hawaiian Islands, and five mini submarines were launched in an effort to penetrate the harbor and attack. The public, fed by movies and a brief history lesson in school, believes that the attack on … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History, Military, World War II
Ten Places Where America Changed
Saratoga Springs, New York: The battle in which Benedict Arnold saved the United States. Coloma, California: The site of the discovery of gold in California. Titusville, Pennsylvania: Oil, black gold, Texas tea. First commercial oil well. Auburn, Massachusetts: The flight of the first liquid fueled rocket. Ticonderoga, New York: The capture of this fort and the movement of its cannon to Washington’s army provided a vital weapon to a newborn military and forced the British evacuation of Boston. Dayton, Ohio: Where the Wright Brothers did their planning, initial experimentation and development of a flying machine. Alamogordo, New Mexico: Site of the first test of the atom bomb. Albuquerque, New Mexico: First commercially available personal computer, the Altair. Tuskegee, Alabama: Home of the Tuskegee Institute, a black teachers’ college, first headed by Booker T. Washington and where George Washington … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History, Lists of Tens, Original writing
10 Americans Who Changed History
This is the first in a series about America. Each post will be a list of ten, people, places, events, and with their effect on America and the world today. Folks my age may know about most of them. I’m not so sure about the youngins. Today I would like to honor ten Americans who changed world history. Ronald Wilson ReaganSomehow we’ve forgotten. Less than 20 years ago, hundreds of millions of people were enslaved by a theology called Communism. One man had a vision, and made that vision a reality. Freedom today means Ronald Reagan. Don’t ask the residents of Hollywood. Ask the people of Bulgaria, Poland, Albania.White House J. Edgar HooverHoover headed the FBI for 48 years. He is responsible for the creation and continuance of one of the most professional … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History, Lists of Tens, Original writing
Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
At 12:40 om EST on December 7, 1941, the first wave of Japanese planes began their attack on the United States, at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. The first Japanese plane shot down during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo) Dec. 7, 1941: 2nd Lt. Wells Lawrence and his July bride slept soundly in their Wheeler Field, Hawaii, quarters. They’d been at Hickam Field for a big Saturday night party and returned home after midnight. At 7:55 a.m., sleepy calm turned to wide-awake terror. “A big bang startled me awake, and the window blinds started rattling,” Lieutenant Lawrence recalled. “I jumped up and looked out the window. I saw a dive bomber making a run. It had ‘rising sun’ streaks painted on the wingtips.” Quickly dressing, the Lawrences … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, Military
Remember the Alamo
John Donovan reminds me that this is the anniversary of a momentous day in American history. Commandancy of the Alamo Bexar, Fby. 24th, 1836 To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world Fellow Citizens & Compatriots I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender nor retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & of everything dear to … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History
Days of Yore
The Stockstad farm, Milnor, North Dakota, about 1906. I like the decorations around the door to the roof, and the “Tom Sawyer” hats that the boys are wearing. The lovely wife’s father is the babe in arms. … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History, Photos
Trains
Here is the Milnor, North Dakota, Northern Pacific station. As best my mother-in-law can recall, this picture dates from the late 1940′s or early fifties. Something about the grain elevator, over on the right. As a little girl of six or seven, the lovely wife would take the train west, to Gwinner, to visit her maternal grandmother. By herself. She was a big girl. She heard a term used for a couple of women that lived in the boarding house just beyond the station and had to have it explained to her. She cannot recall the term, but they were prostitutes. The railroad crews stayed at the boarding house. … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, History
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 135 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 140 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 159 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 166 days)
On Y!CN
- Radioactive Gravel from Japanese Nuke Disaster Used in Buildings
- Fuel Supplies Reach Nome
- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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200 Years After – the War of 1812
November 27th, 2011 | 2 Comments
On land and at sea, the United States and Great Britain struggled for three years in a war that many historians see as the final chapter of the American Revolution. From 1812 to 1815, the U.S. Navy was on the front lines worldwide as it fought the Royal Navy. At home, Canada and the U.S. were both battlegrounds as capitals burned and the tides of war flowed back and forth. The War of 1812 settled … Read entire article »
Filed under: American History, Commentary, Original writing, War of 1812