Today in 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act became law, and it launched a massive effort to save historic buildings around the country that were in danger of encroaching urban sprawl and demolition. (You can read the act here. It is a well written defense of history.) In thinking about the effects of this momentous…
Category: U.S. History
Why Jefferson Davis’ statue should remain
Some people have recommended that the statue of Jefferson Davis be removed from the rotunda of the Kentucky state capitol. I would like to present an alternate option that does more credit to our great Commonwealth. The matter is currently under review by the Kentucky Historic Properties Advisory Commission. They recently called for public comment…
If the Spanish American War was a bar fight…
I came across a humorous take on World War I the other day. “If World War I Was a Bar Fight” was first published last year, and has some debatable facts and unfortunate omissions, but it is a lot of fun. (Find it here) So I naturally thought: “What other wars would work with this…
This Day in History: Vanguard 1
Are you worried about Russia? They may do something first, but we do it best. On March 17, 1958, the United States successfully put its second satellite into orbit: Vanguard 1. It is still there. Sputnik’s effect In 1955, the U.S. announced intentions to launch a satellite, but the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in…