California Declares Independence; New Series Begins

At the beginning of 1846 the population of California included, with about 200,000 Indians, 6,000 Mexicans and perhaps 200 USA nationals. The United Stated had declared war against Mexico in May, 1845 and already General Taylor had won the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and had compelled the surrender of Monterey. Meanwhile back in California . . .

Read more at our main history blog. 

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free).

The Pilgrims' First Winter

Conclusion of our series on The Pilgrims Settle Plymouth.  The Mayflower Compact having been concluded, the Pilgrims construct their rude settlement and attempt to survive the winter of 1620-1621.  The weather was mild for Massachusetts but severe compared to Holland.  The Pilgrims had been weakened by the privations of their voyage and by the exploratory phase of their undertaking; death ensued.  Their settlement did not begin until December! 

While not so much in fashion now, their values formed a huge part of the beginning of American civilization.

Complete story at our main history blog: http://historyweblog.com/2015/10/pilgrims-first-winter/

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free).

UN Memory of the World Project

Does anyone know how to access these documents? This project's purpose is to identify and preserve the basic documents of world history. This week China's proposed documents related to the Nanking Massacre were approved for inclusion by UNESCO, the UN agency responsible for this project.

More information on this project on our main history blog.

and don't forget Don't forget The Basic History Library (free).

Persians and Greeks Video

Here's another video in the Crash Course series, this one on the ancient civilizations.
Read more: http://historyweblog.com/2012/02/persians-and-greeks/

and 

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free).

In History Moments for the Last Few Days

. . . the Pilgrims sight land in Plymouth, the Scythians of South Ukraine Crimea repulse the Persians led by Emperor Darius, Thomas Carlyle urges the study of great men, and in our Humor Department, Milton Berle explains why he stopped studying history.

Read more: http://historyweblog.com/

and 

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free).

New Series Pilgrims Settle Plymouth

Unfashionable today as they were then (how history travels in circles!) the Puritans came to The New World to create a society that would honor God as they saw it. Their zeal and dedication carried them through terrible hardships. Setting high goals, it tempts the hypocrisy haters to focus on the gaps between actual achievements and goals. But even if there is a little bit of Don Quixote in their aspirations, was it still better to try and fail than to not try at all?

 For 8 years, they resided in Leyden, Holland. Unhappy there, they decided to emigrate with a “great hope and inward zeal of laying some good foundation for the propagating and advancing of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in these remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but as stepping-stones to others for performing of so great a work.”

New series Pilgrims Settle Plymouth starts here: http://historyweblog.com/2015/10/where-pilgrims-go/

Our Series on Henry VIII Takes Over the Church Continues

As Henry VIII consolidates his takeover of the Church in England, Scotland, and Wales his popularity wanes. His official in charge of the takeover is Thomas Cromwell. “Beknaved” by the King, whose confidence in him waned as he discerned the full meaning of the religious changes which Cromwell had brought about, met too by a growing opposition in the council as his favor declined, the temper of the man remained indomitable as ever. He stood absolutely alone. More information