David J. Kent's Blog, page 30

Traveling the Sugar and Slave Trades of St. Kitts

St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make up the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Nevis is most famous for being the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, the musical about whom I recently saw in Chicago. While St. … Continue reading →

Galesburg – Chasing Lincoln’s 5th Lincoln-Douglas Debate

One of the stops on my Chasing Abraham Lincoln tour was the campus of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, site of the 5th Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Drawing the largest crowd of any of the seven debates, Galesburg seems the natural place … Continue reading →

Nikola Tesla’s Views on Marriage and Celibacy

Nikola Tesla spend much time learning to exert self-control over his will. Once an addicted gambler, he worked hard to rid himself of that destructive desire. Not leaving a trace of desire apparently extended to his views on marriage and celibacy. … Continue reading →

Lincoln vs Slavery: The Mary Speed Letter

On September 27, 1841, Abraham Lincoln wrote a letter to Mary Speed, the half-sister of his good friend Joshua Speed. He spoke up about slavery, knowing that the Speed’s had been raised as slaveowners and having just returned from a … Continue reading →

Chasing Classic Art – Art Institute of Chicago

We all grow up with some sort of art appreciation. Recently I was able to realize my dream of seeing some classic art at the Art Institute of Chicago. Building on my odd taste in art as a teen, I … Continue reading →

Keynote Speaker: Lincoln-Thomas Day

Join me as I give the keynote address at the annual Lincoln-Thomas Day event to be held Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 12 noon to 2 pm at Fort Stevens, Washington, D.C. The event jointly honors Abraham Lincoln’s signing of … Continue reading →

Abraham Lincoln in Chicago

In 1860 the city of Chicago hosted the Republican National Convention nominating Abraham Lincoln for President. But Lincoln’s presence is pervasive throughout the city today. Here are a few examples. The Wigwam where Lincoln was nominated was a temporary structure, … Continue reading →

Chasing Lincoln’s Wigwam

I’m currently chasing Abraham Lincoln’s wigwam, the name given to the building in which Lincoln received the Republican nomination for President in 1860. Here’s the backstory: Lincoln’s preparation for the Republican National Convention actually began in the fall of 1859, … Continue reading →

Sailing the Caribbean on Windstar

It seems my travel this year has been heavy on places starting with “C.” Soon I’ll add Caribbean Cruise on one of the Windstar sailing vessels. The “C” places have included Costa Rica, Cuba, Charleston, Coatesville, Chicago, and Chasing Abraham … Continue reading →

Thomas Edison Invents the Movies

On August 31, 1897, Thomas Edison invented the movies. Or at least that was the day he patented the kinetoscope, an early motion picture projector. But as with all inventions, the story is much more complicated than just one man. … Continue reading →