As the first anniversary of Ted Kennedy’s death approaches, Thomas Fleming recalls the late senator’s fascination with American history and his desire to share that love with America’s children and his own family. “Is there anyone you’d like to dedicate this book to?” The voice on the telephone was my publisher, David Kane, president of American History Press. He was about … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy, History Buff
History Archives
Salsa Verde: The Irish in Chile
I have been visiting Chile since 1991 and had learned quite a bit about Bernardo O’Higgins, who had a most significant impact on the politics and culture of Latin America and on Chile in particular. Bernado O’Higgins’ father, Ambrose O’Higgins, born in Ballynary, County Sligo, served the Spanish Imperial Service as an engineer. He went on to serve as Governor of Chile and … [Read more...] about Salsa Verde: The Irish in Chile
Miracle Worker: Helen Keller & Annie Sullivan
The extraordinary story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, including little-known facts about a trip they made to Ireland In 1930, a visitor to Ireland wrote to a friend: “You must see Killarney…Can you imagine mountains of rhododendrons rising and massive into the bluest sky you’ve ever been under – white, crimson, scarlet, pink, buff, yellow and every shade God has painted … [Read more...] about Miracle Worker: Helen Keller & Annie Sullivan
Gettysburg: America’s Preeminent Battlefield Shrine
When you go to Gettysburg, you trod hallowed ground where incredible courage under fire by Union and Confederate troops enshrined them in honor, glory and history. You do much more than make a trip. You make a pilgrimage. Gettysburg is a sleepy crossroads town. Situated in hilly Cumberland Valley fields in Pennsyl-vania, it is a musket volley or two short of 215 miles … [Read more...] about Gettysburg: America’s Preeminent Battlefield Shrine
A Celtic Cross at Bunker Hill
The Irish buried in a Catholic cemetery on Bunker Hill are remembered. The cemetery is gated and well hidden, and there have been no burials in it for three score years and more. It’s a lovely, grassy, tranquil place, and Dan Mahoney, the parish priest, remarks how all the headstones face northeast toward home, toward Ireland. The Catholic burial ground is on the fabled … [Read more...] about A Celtic Cross at Bunker Hill