Parks, Presidents and Parks

Although the majority of the Confederate armies surrendered in April 1865, it took until June 1865 for a Union Army to arrive in Texas to enforce liberation

Howard TanzmanJune 18, 2024Potpourri, Military, Holidays Comments

Suppose They Gave a War and No-one Came – The WWI Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve, 1914, a World War I truce soldiers started a Christmas Truce spontaneously.

Howard TanzmanDecember 24, 2023Potpourri, Military Comments

The Presidents and Hanukkah

Read about the Presidents and Hanukkah celebrations.

Howard TanzmanDecember 7, 2023Potpourri, Holidays Comments

Passover in Challenging Times

The Pandemic has made in-person Passover Seders challenging; but nothing like some of the difficult circumstances of the past.

Howard TanzmanApril 4, 2023Potpourri, Holidays Comments

What do the Pope, Frank Sinatra and Alcides Ghiggia have in common?

Guest Blogger Simon Tanzman tells the story of Uruguay's upset win over Brazil in the 1950 World Cup, considered by some to be the Biggest Upset in World Cup History and yes, the Pope, Frank Sinatra and Alcides Ghiggia are part of the tale.

Howard TanzmanDecember 25, 2022Potpourri, Parks, Sports Comments

Holy Toledo! – When the Ohio-Michigan rivalry spilled over from the Gridiron to the Battlefield

All college football fans know that the Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry is intense. But in 1836 the states of Michigan and Ohio nearly went into actual battle over a boundary dispute.

Howard TanzmanNovember 27, 2022Potpourri, Sports Comments

Happy "Franksgiving"

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the Fourth Thursday of November. That was not always the case.

Howard TanzmanNovember 23, 2022Potpourri, Holidays Comments

Fall

Can science explain fall colors?

Howard TanzmanOctober 23, 2022Potpourri Comments

The British Monarchy, Part III

In part 3 of the British Monarchy series, we look at King Edward I, also known as LongShanks and Hammer of the Scots. During his reign, he worked with Parliament.

Howard TanzmanOctober 9, 2022PotpourriComment

The British Monarchy - Part II

In part 2 of the British Monarchy series, we look at a Civil War in the 1200s. This war temporarily overthrew the British Monarch and resulted in the creation of the House of Commons.

Howard TanzmanSeptember 25, 2022Potpourri Comments

The British Monarchy - Part I

King Charles III of Great Britain is a constitutional monarch with limited powers. Hundreds of years ago, the monarch was an absolute ruler. In the first of a multi-part series, we look at this evolution

Howard TanzmanSeptember 18, 2022Potpourri Comment