Browsing: July

A Brief History On July 13, 1863, New Yorkers angry about military conscription (draft) started 3 days of rioting that would go down in history as the worst US riot ever. Digging Deeper White New Yorkers, largely poor Irish immigrants, could not afford to buy their way out of the draft like rich people could.  Nor could they afford to pay someone else to take their place, and they cared little one way or another about the issue of African slavery.  African Americans were not subject to the draft, further inflaming rage against them. With the Emancipation Proclamation of January…

A Brief History On July 13, 1923, the world famous “Hollywood” sign first loomed above Hollywood on the hills outside Los Angeles.  The sign originally read “Hollywoodland” but it was shortened in 1949 to a simple “Hollywood.”  Since then, the sign has become the symbol of Hollywood, unmistakable and iconic.  Back on March 31, 2014 we listed 10 Iconic Structures that Identify a City, and today we will do it again, with a sequel that will catch some of those iconic structures neglected last time.   Digging Deeper 10. Christ The Redeemer, Rio De Janiero. Towering 98 feet tall (and standing on…

A Brief History On July 12, 1561, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow was consecrated.  It would go on to become one of the most famous religious structures in the world and remains so to this day.  Here we list 10 of the most famous religious structures, not in a scientific order but the order as we think of them.  (Apologies to St. Basil’s, St. Patrick’s, Westminster Abbey, and your local parish.) Digging Deeper 10. Lotus Temple, India. Not the primary temple of the Baha’I faith, but what a beautiful building!  As this faith is the youngest listed here, this building…

A Brief History On July 12, 1862, a congressional resolution was signed into law authorizing the Army to issue the Medal of Honor to enlisted soldiers (only) for “personal valor.”  The Navy already had a similar medal for “personal valor” as of 1861.  Prior to this development, the US military had no medals at all since the Mexican War. Digging Deeper Objections to the issuing of medals, especially from senior Army General Winfield Scott, were based on the fact that Europeans engaged in the practice, therefore it must be bad.  Once the Civil War started it became apparent that some soldiers and…

A Brief History Yesterday we listed 10 people or groups we feel deserving of being named Scumbags of the Year (so far) for 2016, and today we take a brighter, more optimistic look at the year 2016 by naming 10 people or groups that provide someone we could look to for leadership, inspiration, and success. Digging Deeper 10. The Lake Erie Monsters, hockey. This American Hockey League team won the Calder Cup this year, giving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio a much needed breath of fresh air and pride, setting a fine example for other sports teams in the area. 9. …