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, 1790 – During a dinner meeting with Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison drafted a bill to move the Federal Capital to a …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — District of Columbia”
The Pinckney treaty of 1795 had resolved friction between Spain and the United States over the right to navigate the Mississippi and the right for Americans to transfer their goods to ocean-going vessels at New Orleans. This détente was threatened by Napoleon Bonaparte’s plans to revive the French empire in the New World. Bonaparte planned to recapture the …
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 …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Great Seal of the United States of America”
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 …
Continue reading “Spy vs Spy: George Washington’s and King George’s Spies (#9)”
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 …
Continue reading “Noted Surveyor and Astronomer, Benjamin Banneker a Real Self-made man”
“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman….” Thomas Paine, The Crisis (19 December 1776) So, I just had a stupid argument …
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 …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Washington chosen as Commander-in-Chief”
I will be in Independence National Park all day on June 1st, 13th, 15th, 19th and 27th as part of the “Once upon a Nation” program run by Historic Philadelphia. I am portraying David Rittenhouse and will be happy to discuss Solar observations in the 18th Century, the US Mint, and any other revolutionary issues you …
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 …
Continue reading “Spy vs Spy: George Washington’s and King George’s Spies (#8)”
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 …
Continue reading “If we tried to have a revolution today, would we succeed?”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 