Kenneth C. Davis's Blog, page 117

Banned Books Week

Each year, the American Library Association and other groups mark Banned Books Week during the last week in September. This year it begins September 25 and continues through October 2.

In a time when some American parents don't want their children to hear the President of the United States give a speech on education values, the importance of this reminder of the right to free expression and the value of THINKING is more urgent than ever,

Where are they pulling books out of libraries? See a map ...

A Tradition of Tolerance? Not really.

Isn't it time to tell it like it is?

We've been hearing a lot about America's tradition of religious freedom and tolerance lately. But for centuries, religion has been used as a weapon to discriminate and cudgel "non- believers" and "heathens," many of whom came to America in search of religious freedom they never found. The battle over faith in the public square started long before the "Ground Zero Mosque."

In the October, 2010 issue of Smithsonian magazine, I delve into the real history of...

Don't Know Much About® Constitution Day

On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia, voted to adopt the United States Constitution. This is Constitution Day.

To recap these events:

Working from May 25, when a quorum was established, until September 17, 1787, when the convention voted to endorse the final form of the Constitution, the delegates gathered in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House were actually obligated only to revise or amend the Articles of Confederation. Under those A...

Don't Know Much About Constitution Day

On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia, voted to adopt the United States Constitution. This is Constitution Day –a national day to educate Americans about what the Constitution is and says.

To recap these events:

Working from May 25, when a quorum was established, until September 17, 1787, when the convention voted to endorse the final form of the Constitution, the delegates gathered in Philadelphia's Pennsylvania State House were actually o...

TODAY IN HISTORY: Birth of an Anthem

It has been butchered at baseball games and Super Bowls. But today is the day our national anthem was written in 1814 and later set to an old drinking song.

It was September 13, 1814. America was at war with England for the second time since 1776. Francis Scott Key was an attorney attempting to negotiate the return of a civilian prisoner held by the British who had just burned Washington DC and had set their sights on Baltimore. As the British attacked the city, Key watched the naval...

Don't Know Much About® THE STONO REBELLION

For those still stuck with the Gone With the Wind view of American slavery, this is the anniversary of one of the largest and most violent slave insurrections in American History. It wasn't anything like the picture Margaret Mitchell painted. The Stono Rebellion was one of hundreds of violent slave uprisings in pre-Civil War America. And the specter of black men carrying guns was one reason George Washington did not allow black recruits in the Continental Army — he knew his slave-holding...

Labor Pains: A Don't Know Much About Minute

The end of summer, a three-day weekend, burgers on the grill, and a back-to-school shopping spree, right? And the most important question, "Can I still wear white?"

But very few people associate Labor Day with a turbulent time in American History. That's what Labor Day is really about The holiday was born during the violent union-busting 19th century, when sweat shop conditions killed children, when there was no minimum wage and when going on vacation meant you were fired.

If you like...

Don't Know Much About® Lyndon B. Johnson

All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing here today.

Lyndon B. Johnson, in his first address as President to a joint session of Congress (November 27, 1963)

The 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson, was born on this date in 1908, in a small farmhouse near Stonewall, Texas on the Pedernales River. Coincidentally, it is also the date on which LBJ accepted the 1964 Democratic nomination for President. (Senator Hubert H. Humphrey was his Vice Presidential nominee.)

In some respects...

Don't Know Much About® the 19th Amendment

It took 144 years after Independence. But on August 26, 1920–90 years ago– the "other half" of the country got their rights. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the vote, was declared in effect on this date by the Secretary of State. The Amendment had actually been ratified earlier in the month when Tennessee gave its approval on August 18, 1920.

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=old&doc=63

Here's a quick history of the movement from Don't Know Much About History
Who...

Today in History: Majority Misrule

On August 19, 1934, 9 out of 10 Germans endorsed Adolf Hilter's assumption of absolute power.

Eighty-nine and nine-tenths per cent of the German voters endorsed in yesterday's plebiscite Chancellor Hitler's assumption of greater power than has ever been possessed by any other ruler in modern times. Nearly 10 per cent indicated their disapproval. The result was expected.

Here is the original New York Times account of the vote.