On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 37 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius is finally changing the direction of his papers to topics that you will enjoy more.  Former papers discussed the general need for Union (papers 1-14), inadequacies of the then-existing Union under the

On this day in 1793, the first successful balloon flight is made from American soil. Did you know that President George Washington was in the audience for the occasion? Washington had been interested in hot air balloons for years. “I have only news paper Accts of the Air Balloons,” he wrote a friend in 1784, “to which I do not know what credence to give; as the tales related of them are marvelous, & lead us to expect that our friends at Paris, in a little time, will come flyi

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper 29 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. We are turning to a subject that is better than taxes! Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is defending the prospect of giving Congress the authority “to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the mil

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 36 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues to discuss taxes, but this essay should leave you wondering just *what* Hamilton would think of the modern-day IRS! Hamilton discusses several remaining objecti

On this day in 1968, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Was Gary Wetzel an unlikely hero? As a teenager, he’d been in the habit of skipping school a lot. He joined the Army when he was 18 because it was “either . . . get a job or join the service, so I chose to join the service.”   Either way, the Army was blessed to have Wetzel. The young soldier went to Vietnam, where he was assigned to an ordnance outfit. But Wetzel wanted something more. H

On this day in 1789, the first presidential electors are selected. Just a few weeks later, the Electoral College would elect George Washington as the nation’s first President. Perhaps you know that Washington’s election was unanimous, but do you know about the unusual decisions made by state legislatures that year? The states engaged in independent decision-making that seems strange to modern Americans. The founding generation, however, knew that it was all part and parcel of

On this day in 1853, a train carrying President-elect Franklin Pierce and his family derails just outside Andover, Massachusetts. One person is instantly killed: Franklin’s young son, Benny. His parents were devastated. The new President thought he was being punished for his ambition. His wife, Jane, concluded that God was clearing distractions from Franklin’s life so he could focus on his new job. She never got over it. Jane Pierce with Benny Perhaps it would have helped if

On this day in 1788, Federalist Papers No. 34 and 35 are published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued for the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. I am so sorry to tell you that Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is still discussing the national government’s power of taxation. He felt an extended discussion was needed. Remember that Americ

On this day in 1944, an American B-24 Liberator lands in England, having completed a top-secret overnight mission. The plane had been painted black, making it hard to spot against the nighttime sky. The B-24’s ball-turret had also been removed, replaced with a cargo hatch. The objective of the secret flight was simple: Resupply underground resistance forces in Nazi-held territory. The flight was the first of many in an effort that would span months. Taken together, these miss

On this day in 1945, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Isadore “Izzy” Jachman would take on two enemy tanks, single-handedly, forcing them into retreat.   Perhaps the incredible feat wasn’t as surprising as you might think. After all, the young staff sergeant had a personal stake in World War II: His family had fled rising antisemitism in Germany when he was just a toddler. Worse, he was surely worried about his relatives who’d remained behin

On this day in 1788, a long essay is published. That essay would eventually be broken down into Federalist Papers No. 32 and 33. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Essay 31 was published yesterday, and I warned you then that Alexander Hamilton (aka “Publius”) was going to harp on a subject that most o

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 31 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. I’ll warn you that this is another paper that is difficult to read in light of recent events. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is defending the unlimited right of the national government to tax us. Again

On this day in 1795, George Washington issues a proclamation, calling for a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer. He was relieved and grateful that the so-called Whiskey Rebellion had finally come to an end.   That rebellion had “wantonly threatened” America, Washington knew.   The American government was then still very young, of course, and it had been looking for ways to raise revenue. One of the methods settled upon was an excise tax on whiskey. This tax was imposed in 1

On this day in 1992, the “Father of Naval Special Warfare” passes away. Phil Bucklew has been credited with laying the groundwork for many aspects of today’s naval special forces, including the Navy SEALs.   The former Cleveland Ram had been coaching a football game when Pearl Harbor was attacked. News of the Japanese assault was soon announced over the stadium’s loudspeakers. “We were down in the bar [after the game],” he later described, “and someone said, ‘Let’s all join t

On this day in 1951, the only dog to earn a United States Coast Guard NCO rank passes away. Sinbad has been described as a “rough tough and rowdy” dog who was a combination of “liberty-rum-chow hound with a bit of bulldog, Doberman pinscher and whatnot–mostly whatnot.” Sinbad’s life at sea began by accident. Chief Boatswain’s Mate A. A. “Blackie” Roth meant to give the dog to his girlfriend because his shore leave was coming to an end. The landlord wouldn’t let her have a pet

On this day in 1953, a Navy medic is awarded the Medal of Honor. Francis “Doc” Hammond had worked “feverishly” to save lives in Korea, one eyewitness to his action said, noting that Hammond was “the bravest man I saw out there that night . . . his actions were an inspiration to all of us.”   Hospitalman 3rd Class Hammond had proven that he was made of stern stuff, right from the get-go.   “On his very first patrol, one of his comrades at the head of the group stepped on a min

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 30 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Yes, I did skip paper no. 29! (Bonus points if you noticed?! Ha.) That essay is out of order in the collection. A summary of paper no. 29 is coming, but not until its original January (newspaper) publication

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 28 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues his discussion: Will military force be needed to enforce national laws? The previous paper discussed why such force would not normally be needed. Now Publius tu

On this day in 1776, General George Washington wins the Battle of Trenton. 1776 had been a difficult year. The victory provided a much-needed morale boost. As discussed in yesterday’s post , the beginning of December found Washington and British General William Howe on opposite sides of the Delaware River. As the weather deteriorated, Howe had decided to go into winter quarters. Washington, instead, decided to make a difficult crossing of the Delaware. His plan was to arrive

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 27 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius addresses the contention that the new national government will need the aid of the military if it is to enforce its laws. Such a concern might sound odd to modern ears. However, it would have sounded