The American Story

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Thank God for being an American Nov 17, 2020

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P.G. Wodehouse was one of the best writers in the English language in the 20th century and the funniest. He wrote nearly 100 delightful books, each one of which in perfectly orchestrated sentences, can make you fall laughing out of your beach chair. He became an American citizen in 1955, wrote an autobiography titled "America, I like you." Read anything Wodehouse. You won't regret it.

For the Troops Nov 10, 2020

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USO stands for United Service Organizations, and it is a beautiful gem of American history and American civic life. It was created in early 1941, when America had not yet entered World War II, but could feel the day coming when it must. Since then they have been working to support our service members from enlistment to deployment and through transitioning back to their communities.

Bullets for Ballots: 1860 (3 of 3) Nov 02, 2020

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Until the election of 1860, the truths proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence had been the ground of American civic friendship, above all the central truth that all men are created equal. Fidelity to this most American idea held the country together through many divisions since 1776. The Confederate States rejected that idea. America had lost the foundation for civic peace. Ballots gave way to bullets.

Ballots for Bullets: 1800 (2 of 3) Oct 27, 2020

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The election of 1800 in America came after a decade of bitter and extreme party strife. Each side accused the other of aiming to overthrow the Constitution and preparing the way for tyranny. There was no precedent, including the experience of 1776, for resolving such differences without appealing to bullets. But ballots prevailed and power was transferred peacefully between uncompromisingly hostile political rivals for the first time in human history.

Bullets and Ballots: 1776 Oct 20, 2020

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Americans are being reminded how fragile and precious an achievement it is to establish the legitimate authority of government through peaceful and free elections. But there would be no ballots without the bullets of 1776. We hold elections in America because, as the Declaration of Independence says, we think "the just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed." But what divided the American people from the British Crown and Parliament in 1776 could not be decided by a vote alone.

One for the Road Oct 13, 2020

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Streets and roads are very different animals. Willie Nelson sang, "I just can't wait to get on the road again." No one ever sang, "I just can't wait to get on the street again." Songs about country roads hold spacious truths because whether they are red dirt roads or roads with seven bridges, country roads are rich with the mysteries of life.

Like a Soldier Oct 06, 2020

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Marlene Dietrich was born in Berlin in 1901. In 1930, her performance in the film The Blue Angel made her a star. She moved to Hollywood, starred in six films, one of which earned her an Oscar nomination. Many more films would follow. She refused lucrative contracts from Nazi Party officials to be the leading film star of the Third Reich, became an American citizen in 1939, and devoted herself to doing all she could for American troops during World War II.

First Man of the Universe Sep 29, 2020

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Benjamin Franklin ran away at seventeen with barely a penny in his pocket. Through hard work and his own genius, he made a life for himself in the printing trade, and was able to retire at the age of 42. He then spent the next 42 years of his life, from 1748 to 1790, pursuing his scientific and philosophic inquiries and doing all he could—and this was a very great deal—to benefit his city, state, country, and world. By the time of his death, he was one of the most famous people in the world.

Catching Excellence Sep 22, 2020

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The son of an Italian immigrant, Vincent Thomas Lombardi was born in Brooklyn on June 11, 1913. He played guard in the famed Seven Blocks of Granite offensive line of Fordham University in the 1930s before going on to become one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport. His name is synonymous with winning. His steadfast spirit inspired the nation.

Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver Sep 15, 2020

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The Declaration's great American proclamation that "all men are created equal" and the first three words of the Constitution—"We the People"—are profoundly connected. The relation between these two ideas—equality and consent—is the vital center of American political freedom.

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