Historical Tidbits — Great Seal of the United States of America

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. June 20, 1782 – The US Congress officially adopts the Great Seal of the United States of America to be affixed to treaties and presidential proclamations.  Both sides of …

Spy vs Spy: George Washington’s and King George’s Spies (#9)

Opening Doors to France — Francis Daymond Francis Daymon, was a Frenchman hired by Benjamin Franklin as librarian for his Library Company at Carpenter’s Hall.  Daymon served as translator and organizer for meetings between Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir, a former French Army officer who retired to Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay.  Frankin and Jay …

Noted Surveyor and Astronomer, Benjamin Banneker a Real Self-made man

Benjamin Banneker was an African-American farmer, self-educated mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor but most importantly, Benjamin Banneker was a FREE MAN not a slave, despite living in a slave state during the early years of the republic.   Although he received little schooling, Banneker demonstrated exceptional scientific ability and taught himself advanced mathematics and astronomy. In 1789 …

Historical Tidbits — Washington chosen as Commander-in-Chief

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. June 19, 1775     Washington chosen as Commander-in-Chief.   When George Washington arrived at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on May 9, 1775, he was placed on several committees …

Spy vs Spy: George Washington’s and King George’s Spies (#8)

Proper British Spies — Henry DeBerniere and John Brown In March 1775, Ensign Henry DeBerniere of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot disguised himself as a land surveyor and headed out of Boston in search of the arms cache of the local militia.  He and Captain John Brown of the 52nd Foot, had been ordered …

If we tried to have a revolution today, would we succeed?

If we tried to have a revolution today, would we succeed?  Do we have what it takes?  I hear boasts at reenactments all the time and everyone thinks they have what it takes to rebel but are we willing to “dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,”[1] or are we more likely …