Democratic Candidates Ranked by Age

Have you seen this chart of the ages of the Democratic Presidents through history compared to today’s potential candidates? They are color coded by their tier in the polls. Biden and Saunders are in the top tier.

As for the old ages, I do not believe that this is such a bad factor. I remember them from the 1980’s. They were just as dumb then as they are now (and just as smart, too.) I rather want to see new ideas than new people.

Herodotus the “Father of History”.

During the 5^th. century BC few people could read, so Herodotus made his living by going from town to town telling stories. Either he took stories from his book to perform or he incorporated his performances into his book or he did both. This is why his book is episodic – it could be presented in a television series. In fact, I used that for my website History Moments.

The best edition of his book is here.

China's Decisive Loss to Britain in Opium War

1840: In light of the narcotics problem around the world, Britain’s causus belli in this war was despicable. Two things stand out in this war. (1) How little the narcotics problem was viewed in those days and (2) how small detachments of Britain’s army and navy was able to defeat (and to decisively defeat) huge armies and navies China. China and the Ottoman Empire were the top two non-western civilizations on the planet at that time. The West enjoyed decisive military superiority and global dominance.

From The Opium War of 1840: http://dld.bz/hgc2G

Oriental History at https://oriental.historyweblog.com/

The Last Kingdom

871-901: Binge Watching the series on Netflix about the conflict between the Viking invaders and the Saxon natives. Alfred of Wessex won but the later conquest of William the Conqueror meant that the Vikings won, too. What Alfred’s victory won was time and time meant assimilation. A westernized Scandinavian invaders together with the natives made medieval and modern Britain.

The benefit of historical fiction is that it can convey the mood of the times more than factual narrative can. Watching shows like this immerses the audience in those times and places.

For the true story of King Alfred’s reign:http://dld.bz/hhxmt

Obama’s Re-election, 2012

Worked my new Current History landing page today and came across an old article I wrote back in 2011 on why President Obama would not win re-election. Shows what a great political analyst I was.

Current History: http://dld.bz/hhrde.qr

Mexico Rejects Maximilian

1867: When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. That's what Maximilian learned the hard way in Mexico. Napoleon III of France wanted a foothold in the Americas and Mexico was one giant base. Maximilian, with a French army backing him, proclaimed himself Emperor of Mexico in 1864. The idea of Mexico becoming a de-facto vassal of the French Empire did not sit well with the Mexicans. As important, the USA did not want a major European power on its border. With the Civil War winding down, President Abraham Lincoln sent a warning to Paris and an army to the Texas border.

Napoleon caved and pulled the French army out. Emperor Maximilian lost his army, his government, his empire, and his life. He was executed by firing squad at Cerro de las Campanas on June 19, 1867

Series on Mexico Rejects Maximilian ends today. http://dld.bz/hhcFk

Britain Acquires Cape Colony

The Dutch lost it to the British in 1795.  The peace Treaty of Amiens gave it back to the Dutch but when war broke out again in 1805 the British conquered it for good the following year. When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, the colony was absorbed into it.

Pictured is a model of Cape Town circa 1800. http://dld.bz/hgcye

George Bush, Sr. RIP

I join in all the praise for all of the good things that he did. But there is one event that is noteworthy in the decline of American politics and the road to Trump. That was when he broke his “no new taxes” promise

Except for the worst extremists, Americans understand the need for compromise. They still expect the leaders they vote for to at least try to do what they say. The significance of his promise, was that it was made in such a way so it was to be the one thing that his supporters could count on.

After the election, the press reported that he began looking for ways to dump that promise. While many of the reports were based on unnamed sources, he did nothing to deny them. Then he did.

Who can you trust to keep his/her word anymore? If the responsible behave irresponsibly, then is an irresponsible person so different?

This event was not the cause but a milestone in the road to Trumpism.

Factual article in Wikipdia

Jenner Introduces Vacinnation

1798: Combatting disease by injecting vaccine into the bloodstream was a major breakthrough in medical science. Edward Jenner used “cowpox” to combat smallpox. His contribution was not only discovering the remedy but then proving that his patients were immune from smallpox.

Before Jenner’s time, an estimated 10-20% of the human population died from that disease. He is the father of immunization.

Series on Jenner Introduces Vacinnation ends today.  http://dld.bz/hgD2J

Early Years of Independent Switzerland

1499: We think of Switzerland as the neutral, peaceful country but during Medieval years the land was anything but. They fought the Holy Roman Empire for independence for many years. How did the Swiss come under Imperial rule? Their prince became Holy Roman Emperor.

Pictured is the town of Hapsburg, the ancestral home of the Hapsburg emperors. The remnants of their castle is on the hill to the left. Read more: http://dld.bz/heBzP

My history website:  http://historyweblog.com/

Ottomans Conquer Constantinople

1453: The thousand-year Byzantine Empire finally ended. The conquering Ottomans founded an empire that was to last half as long. Constantinople was the most heavily fortified city on the planet. But the centuries had worn both walls down and the inhabitants’ spirit. The Turks, on the other hand, had occupied the main part of modern Turkey (Asia Minor) since 1300 and they were in a conquering mood.

With the fall of Constantinople, the path of conquest into and through the Balkans had been opened wide. The opportunity for the Muslims to invade and conquer the heart of Europe would be exploited for centuries to the climatic siege of Vienna in 1683.

From Ottomans Conquer Constantinople http://dld.bz/heBzN

More Byzantine History at https://byzantine.historyweblog.com/

Kavanaugh Confirmed to Supreme Court

2018: As this event recede into history and before the Democrats’ promised Congressional hearings into Trump’s family and associates begins: a few thoughts.

How many more Democrats would be in the next Congress but for the “Kavanaugh Effect”?  Facts matter but partisanship, especially too blatant and too much, can backfire.  As much as hostile hearings can please the majority’s base, so can it arouse sympathy for the witnesses.  Anyone remember Oliver North?  Bill Clinton?  Any others you may remember? http://dld.bz/heBz3

More American Hisktory at https://american.historyweblog.com/

North Pole Discovered

Men have explored the ice flows of the far north since ancient days. In 1909 men finally reached the Pole. Peary may not have led the expedition that first reached the Pole but he got the credit.

A quote from the series:

The start on the heroic “dash for the Pole” was made from Cape Columbia on Feb. 28, 1909. The expedition, in addition to about twenty Eskimos with their sledges and their many teams of dogs, consisted of seven men from the Roosevelt’s company.
Series on North Pole Discovered ends today.  http://dld.bz/heB8z

More Explorers in History at https://explorers.historyweblog.com/

President Washington Retires

1797: Washington’s put the federal government on a sound basis and thereby kept the country together.  Before the Constitution was adopted the states were flying apart.  It was adopted but would it work in practice?  This is where Washington’s new role from President of the Constitutional Convention to President of the government came in.  The people were deeply ambivalent about both the Constitution and the federal government it created.  This was especially true in the south and in the west.  When he retired, attitudes had much improved; the federal government placed on a sound basis.

This was his greatest accomplishment.

Read more:  http://dld.bz/heBxB

More American History at http://american.historyweblog.com/

Thanksgiving, 2018

1620:Pilgrims Settle Plymouth.  The first Thanksgiving in America traces its origin to this story. Modern perspectives on European settlers and American natives should not overlook the hardships that this group underwent.

After a passage of 66 days, and subsequent journeyings until the middle of December, they land on the ice-clad rocks of Plymouth, worn out with suffering, weak and weary from the fatigues of the voyage, poorly armed, scantily provisioned, surrounded by native strangers, without prospect of human succor, without the help or favor of their king, with a useless patent, without assurance of liberty in religion, without shelter, and without means!

Read more:  http://dld.bz/hfN4Z

King John Signs Magna Charta

1215: While the Great Charter is criticized for granting rights to the aristocracy and not to the commoners, its true legacy is that it marks the transition from the age of traditional rights to the age of written legislation, — of parliaments and statutes, which was soon to come.  King John, the villain of the Robin Hood legends, had oppressed England in three ways: (1) the remaining oppressions of the Norman kings after the Conquest; (2) the necessity of raising taxes and other measures for wars against France; and (3) his own odious personal and official conduct.

Individually, his personal scandals could have been tolerated; his constant demands of war measures could have been tolerated (if there were any success); indeed, the Norman tyranny had in fact been tolerated since 1066. It was the combination of all these together which brought on the crisis.

A conference between the King and the barons was appointed at Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines; a place which has ever since been extremely celebrated, on account of this great event. The two parties encamped apart, like open enemies; and after a debate of a few days, the King, with a facility somewhat suspicious, on June 19, 1215, signed and sealed the charter which was required of him. http://dld.bz/heBvH

More British History at http://british.historyweblog.com/

Battle of Hastings Podcast

1066: Normans Land in England.  Harold’s Army Marches from Far North (Yorkshire).  Battle of Hastings.  Norman Conquest.  William the Conqueror Enters London.

These would be the headlines if you lived in England in 1066.  William instituted a tyrannical rule.  For decades, the peasantry was worse off than the rest of Europe.  Good things happened, too, and events moved on.

Listen to the podcast here: http://dld.bz/heAWE

History Moments Progress Report

My website presents the most important events in history told by: the greatest historians; the greatest writers; eye-witnesses, and others with insights to give.  It features original podcasts and the syllabuses for the courses that I teach.  There’s more multi-media: links to videos and books.  Three million words so far.

All that but it needs to go to the next level.  Does anybody know who can support this website financially?  I am preparing applications for grants and sponsorships.  There are only so many hours the day and only so much that a part-time endeavor can do.  Copyrighted material has to be paid for.  Multi-media needs equipment. More website improvement needs professional developers.

So, know any ideas for prospecting for sponsors?

History Moments Website: http://historyweblog.com/

History of Printing

The written words that you’re reading right now is on the latest media that is the end result of what began with chisels and stones millennia ago.  Gutenberg and his printing press transformed the process and world history.  It made the rebirth of learning, the Renaissance greater than it would have been.

Perhaps printing in its latest iteration may take the life of the human mind to a higher level in our time as old Gutenberg’s press did in his.

Series on History of Printing ends today.  http://dld.bz/heBE7

More Science History at https://science.historyweblog.com/

Outbreak of the Fronde in France

1648: At the end of the Thirty Years War, a civil war broke out in France.  Cardinal Mazarin, the prime minister of the young king Louis XIV was driven from power.  This conflict is called “The War of the Fronde”.  Mazarin won and got back into power but this outbreak that, if successful, would have limited the king’s power helped explain Louis XIV’s policy of absolute monarchy later in his reign.

“The Fronde” is the name that was given to the anticourt party. The word “fronde” means a sling, and the origin of its use as a party name is attributed to an epigram. http://dld.bz/heAWf

My French History website: https://french.historyweblog.com/