The first known observation of Halley’s Comet, or Comet Halley, took place in 239 BCE., when Chinese astronomers recorded its passage in the Shih Chi and Wen Hsien Thung Khao chronicles. When Halley’s returned in 164 BCE. and again in 87 BCE, it was noted in Babylonian records. It’s also thought that another appearance of …
Author Archives: Michael Carver
The Philadelphia Tea Party
We all know that on December 16, 1773 protestors boarded the Dartmouth, the Eleanor and the Beaver, ships of the East India Company, and threw their cargo of tea into the Boston Harbor but this story neither begins nor ends in Boston. The idea for the acts of defiance against the British Empire was birthed in Philadelphia at …
Historical Tidbits — Washington crosses Delaware
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. December 25, 1776 Washington crosses Delaware On blustery Christmas Day in late 1776, George Washington led a daring attack on the Hessian garrison in Trenton. After a series of …
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Did Jews Participate in the American Revolution? Well here are a few stories. (Levy Solomons)
Since the quartermaster department of the Revolutionary armed forces was primitive and inadequate, the government turned to civilian purveyors for badly needed supplies. Many, if not most, Jewish merchants of that day were purveyors on a large or small scale, offering the government clothing, gunpowder, and lead. Harassed for lack of funds, the authorities took …
Chanukah in Colonial America
What religious story most resonates with the spirit of the American Revolution? Yes, there are many stories in many religions that people overcoming atrocities and oppression. But consider for just a moment the story of Judah Maccabee. In the late 6th century BCE, the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great let the Jews go home after …
SinterKlaas
During the American War of Independence, the inhabitants of New York City, formerly New Amsterdam), celebrated the tradition of Sinterklaas as symbol of the city’s non-English past. In the 1770s the New York Gazetteer noted that the feast day of “St. a Claus” was celebrated “by the descendants of the ancient Dutch families, with their usual festivities.” Sinterklaas is …
Did Jews Participate in the American Revolution? Well here are a few stories. (Haym Salomon)
I am going to conclude this short series with a note on someone I consider to be one of the nation’s unrecognized Founding Fathers for without the sacrifices of Mr. Salomon, the Revolutionary War would have likely ended in New Jersey in 1776 as the Continental Congress ran out of funds to support the army. …
The 2026 Calendar of Events
While I am still accepting bookings, here are the events currently on the docket fo the Regimental Brewmeister in 2026: 2026 Calendar of Events for Regimental Brewmeister[1] January 4Battle of PrincetonPrinceton BattlefieldJanuary 24History MattersINHPJanuary 28Talk on Importance of Taverns in Colonial AmericaBlue Ball TavernFebruary 28Tavern NightRittenhouse TownMarch 21Tavern NightHermitage MuseumApril 9Talk on Women Spies of …
Historical Tidbits — Washington resigns 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. December 23, 1783 Washington resigns as Commander in Chief “Having now finished the work assigned to me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate …
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Texas and the American Revolution
In discussions on the American Revolutionary War, the contributions of Texas are seldom brought up.[1] But in the 1770s, Texas, inhabited by Spaniards and Native Americans, was a hub of activity. While the signing of the Declaration of Independence occurred on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Tejanos (Texans) manned outposts, guarded New Spain’s claims, and reconnoitered neighboring …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 