Historical
Hidden History
I think it's safe to say America likes to be forgetful, and to leave pertinent histories undisclosed. This has become increasingly apparent over the last year, with a plethora of information coming to light and mass movements gaining momentum to protect our waters and BIPOC. What I'm sharing today is part of a short research project I took on for an environmental studies class at my local community college, addressing some of these issues. For this report I was to use the National Inventory of Dams and other resources to identify and compare two dams of different sizes, listing their benefits and drawbacks, age, safety risks, whether or not they include a fish passage to travel upriver, the habitats they flood, recreation opportunities, etc. The two dams I chose are both significant to me, and both of which have caused much conflict with and heavily impact Native populations (human, animal, and plant life). And honestly the more I read about all this, the more it seems that this is not unique to these dams alone. This makes sense because life exists from and by water, and so of course the choices of American society and industry would violate the sacred grounds of many First Peoples.
By Lucy Whitesell5 years ago in FYI
A Capitalist, a Murderer, a Gambling Bet, a Brain Injury, and an Earthquake
The cigar smoke in Leland Stanford’s parlor hung heavy in the air. The lucky men who attended Stanford’s elaborate dinner party in the spring of 1872 were brimming with privilege and money. Their wool vests barely buttoned around their swollen stomachs. Brandy in their hands, they discussed the current events of the day from the sweetness of Stanford's mansion in San Francisco.
By joy ellen sauter5 years ago in FYI
Olga of Kiev
Ever wondered about Saints and how they gain a title that is known throughout history? Well, none will make you question canonization more than the story of Helga otherwise known as Saint Olga of Kiev. She was canonized as the Saint of Widows and Converts in 1547 as the first saint of the Russian Orthodox Church. Many might question why she was sainted in the first place, and why she is still honored as a saint if they knew her full story.
By Josh Mallernee5 years ago in FYI
The Deadliest Disaster You Never Heard Of
The Titanic. The Hindenburg. The Great Chicago Fire. These are disasters we are all familiar with, terrible events that killed far too many people and traumatized even more. But is it possible that today, in the age of Google and endless information at our fingertips, there could be another tragedy, perhaps even worse, that most Americans are unaware of?
By Elissa Vaunting5 years ago in FYI
Plutarch: The Original Influencer
Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus was born in 46 AD and died around 119 AD. Although he was born in Chaeronea, Boeotia, Greece, Rome ruled the area at the time. Lucius Mestrius was added to his name when he was granted Roman citizenship. Throughout his life, he was a philosopher. The core of his philosophy was Platonic but he did borrow from other philosophies like the Stoics and Peripatetics. Other vocations listed for him are biographer and essayist. He was also a priest at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.
By Yvonne Lovejoy5 years ago in FYI
Ever Hear of the Greek Hero Born Hercules?
Classical and Norse mythology first grabbed my attention when I was in middle school in the early '90s, an interest stemming off comic book characters such as Marvel's Thor and Hercules. The former had some relational differences from its source material, but it had all of the names of the Norse Aesir correct (this, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe turned them from actual gods into extraterrestrial beings). However, the latter of those two heroes, who was often a thorn in Thor's side – though a fellow Avenger – was part of the Greek characters Marvel had, along with his father Zeus and half-brother Ares. Sounds right.... right?
By Michael B Puskar5 years ago in FYI
Courage and Treason: Then and Now
On January 6th, 2021, the United States Capitol was assaulted by a violent mob. Thanks to the TV cameras and the foolhardy social media posts made the insurrectionist, the evidence of the crime was everywhere in plain sight. Even a few leaders of his own party agreed that the attempted insurrection was aided and abetted, among others, by the then President of the United States. On that fateful day and the days that followed, lost in the midst of all the frenzy, was the deliberate misappropriation by the insurrectionist and their allies in congress, of words and symbols connected to an important battle, that goes back some 2500 years.
By Suresh U. Kumar5 years ago in FYI
Koschei & His Secret Soul
In discussions and popular conversations on folklore and myth you rarely hear his name. Sidelined by Grimm tales and Greek Gods, not favored as well as the Norse, lie the Slavic folktales. Hiding in the shadows of the old world, in deep forests and decrepit castles, they are ancient monsters beings of unspeakable machinations. Forest spirits and mountain gods. The likes of Baba Yaga, Firebird, Leshy, and Chernobog come from these lands. While you may have heard those names, you are probably not as familiar with Koschei the Deathless.
By Lucy Richardson5 years ago in FYI
Historic Long Island
Montauk. The Hamptons. Even casual consumers of pop culture are familiar with these iconic Long Island locales. Film fans will recall passing references in blockbuster movies like Jaws as well as important scenes in Something's Gotta Give and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Sitcom audiences will remember celebrated episodes of Seinfeld and Friends. Those who prefer their TV soapy and dramatic may be more familiar with Revenge and The Affair. Celebrity watchers know that actors, musicians, athletes, and media personalities including Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce, Paul Simon, Eli Manning, and Martha Stewart are frequent visitors and part-time residents of towns in the area.
By Sean Johnson5 years ago in FYI
