Irish America

Irish America

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Presidents & First Ladies of Irish Ancestry

By Carl Sferrazza Anthony

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The backgrounds of America's First Families are diverse: Nancy Reagan and Lady Bird Johnson have Spanish forebears; Herbert Hoover was Swiss and Canadian; Mamie Eisenhower was part Swedish while Ike was German; Martin Van Buren and the Roosevelts were Dutch; James Garfield had a royal strain of French; Eliza Johnson's parents were immigrant Scottish sandal-makers; both Calvin … [Read more...] about Presidents & First Ladies of Irish Ancestry

Yankee Doodle with a Brogue:
The Irish in the American Revolution

By Thomas Fleming

Originally published in July / August 1998

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In Virginia's Shenandoah Valley there is a gravestone that reads: Here lies the remains of John Lewis, who slew the Irish lord, settled in Augusta County, located the town of Staunton and furnished five sons to fight the battles of the American Revolution. Those words are an apt summary of the Irish role in the Revolution. They responded en masse to the call for resistance to … [Read more...] about Yankee Doodle with a Brogue:
The Irish in the American Revolution

Remembering the Champ

By Marilyn Cole Lownes

May / June 1998

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The history of boxing must be rewritten. It is officially recorded that the legendary Jack Dempsey, Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1919-1926, was KO'ed just once in his great career. He was knocked out in the first round in 1917 by fireman Jim Flynn. The truth is that he actually suffered two KO's. The second one was outside the ring in 1956 when he first laid eyes on … [Read more...] about Remembering the Champ

Passages

June 27, 2020

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BIRTHDAY Storied world heavyweight boxing champion William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was born June 24, 1895 in Manassa, Colorado.  Dempsey, an icon of the 1920's whose professional career ran from 1914-1927, reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919-1926. He was an inaugural member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is ranked tenth on The Ring … [Read more...] about Passages

June 27, 2020

Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist

By Christine Kinealy, Columnist
March / April 2020

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It is difficult to define or to encapsulate Judy Collins in under 2,000 words. Ironically though, perhaps just two words can provide an insight into this remarkable woman’s activism, career, and song choices: they are, “amazing grace.” Everything Judy has done in her long and varied life have shown ability, creativity, tenacity, and – grace. These two words also happen to be … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist