Americanism Redux–6-Minute Video Overview of the Fourth Quarter–Today 250 Years Ago–in 1773

Below is my quarterly overview video. See and hear the highlights of the stories of October, November, and December 1772 on our journey to the American Founding in July 1776. https://youtu.be/GJl5M2zzZF4 Thanks for watching! … [Read more...]

Americanism Redux – January 12 – Today 250 Years Ago – 1773

Americanism Redux January 12, 250 years ago today, in 1773 "All in favor say 'aye'." The hands raised up. "One", "two", "three", and on it went. The count was finished but the outcome was never in doubt. The group wanted to do it. Excited. Motivated. Resolved. Today, in the British colonial capital of South Carolina, the Charleston Library Society approves the plan to "to establish a … [Read more...]

August 5-Today-250 Years Ago

Americanism Redux August 5, 250 years ago today Lay the paper flat on the table. Hold the edges down. Write the terms of agreement. Sign your name. Change our world. Today, in Vienna, Joseph II, co-emperor of Austria with his mother, Maria Theresa, announces his written agreement to a plan that divides up the eastern portion of the fledgling nation of Poland. Frederick II, king of … [Read more...]

The Declaration of Independence: Five Thoughts For Your Leadership

I offer these five thoughts for leadership, drawn from the Declaration of Independence. #1 The Declaration was the work of a committee. A group of five delegates got the call to form a committee to write a draft of the Declaration for review, editing, and completion. In addition, the Continental Congress constituted itself as a committee-of-the-whole. In this fashion each of the fifty or so … [Read more...]

The Reason For Tears

Why was I nearly crying? After a lot of soul-searching, I think I know. But let me set the stage for you. In the end, you may want to give it a try for yourself. Our family decided that this year's Independence Day celebration would be a day early, on July 3rd. As we often do, we planned to attend an outdoor concert, held at Conner Prairie, a living history site north of Indianapolis. The 1812 … [Read more...]