Reprinted from the November 25, 2021 edition First of four parts The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones, editor, recently was examined in the Kirkus Reviews, which reviews books. Here is the review. “A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New
When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, residents could walk anywhere in the small frontier settlement. For much of the 19th Century, Chicago was the world’s fastest-growing city. Chicago was the place where the future was unfolding. The City was brash and bold and would see the electric trolley in 1890
By Al Benson Black History Month at Gayles Memorial Baptist Church in Aurora was personal for congregants. They loaned artifacts for multiple exhibits at multiple locations in the Church during February. Betty Gaddy of Oswego, a Gayles member, coordinated the celebration. According to Gaddy, volunteers made the program a success
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park resumes its Date with History series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, with a presentation by Colonel (Retired) L. Scott Lingamfelter. He will share stories and insights from his 2020 book, “Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War.” The free lecture
March 2 The Jones Act, the last gasp of the Prohibition, is passed by Congress. Since 1920 when the Eighteenth Amendment went into effect, the United States had banned the production, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. But the laws were ineffective at actually stopping the consumption of alcohol. The
Consider the two British queens and their history. Queen Victoria lived to be 81 and Queen Elizabeth II lived to be 96. Victoria brought forth nine children and Elizabeth bore four children. Both loved their spouses totally and were torn asunder at their passing. Victoria was on the throne for
Two big events, this month and next month, will be at the Little White School Museum in Oswego. • Proud of all the history on your family you’ve discovered? Find out how to showcase all your hard work during “Thinking Inside the Box: Display Your Family History in a New
February 23 During the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment of the 5th Division take the crest of Mount Suribachi, the island’s highest peak and most strategic position, and raise the U.S. flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery was with
By Russ George The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley (DCFV) enjoyed a history lesson from Jeanette and Denny Lee, the Village of Montgomery historians, at the Club’s February 9, membership meeting. Jeanette Lee spoke on the first European settler, Jacob Carpenter, who arrived in November 1832, from Ohio. Nicholas Gray
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading.” —Jane Austen The author Jane Austen was born December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England. Her father the Reverend George Austen was rector. Her elder sister, Cassandra, was her closest companion in a family of eight children. Her mother, Cassandra
“Viking Women” will open a Geneva History Museum lecture series highlighting Viking history, culture, and contributions. The public is invited to the series at the Museum 113 S. Third Street in Geneva. The series’ schedule will include: • March 14: Viking Women, a brown bag program celebrating Women’s History Month,
By Dr. Tracy Metcalf As we celebrate Black History Month, many influential black leaders come to mind, such as Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Harriet Jacobs, Katherine Johnson, and Mamie Till. Though the list goes on and on of all the men and women in the black community who have had
February 16 Diamond Mine disaster in Braidwood, Ill.. The coal mine was on a marsh-like tract of land with no natural drainage. Snow melted and forced a collapse on the east side of the mine and killed 74. – 1883. In Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed
Viking’s Voyage in Geneva: St. Charles residents Nancy and Arthur Andersen pose with the dragon head and tail of the Viking, an 1893 replica Viking ship chronicled in “Viking’s Voyage,” an exhibition at Geneva History Museum through Dec. 23.
February 9 Because no presidential candidate received a majority of electoral votes in the election of 1824, the U.S. House of Representatives votes to elect John Quincy Adams, who won fewer votes than Andrew Jackson in the popular election, as president of the United States. Adams was the son of
In his lifetime, Michelangelo was called Il Divino, or, “the Divine one.” He was born March 6, 1475 in the Republic of Florence. For several generations his family had been bankers in Florence, but the bank failed and his father, Ludovico, took a government post in Caprese. Several months after
I recently watched Geoffrey Baer’s shows on PBS, in which he tours various Chicago neighborhoods on the L, driving, walking, snowboarding, all without getting shot with bullets, or spray-painted with graffiti, and it brought back memories of my experiences. Some time back, I wrote of my early memories of attending
February 2 Groundhog Day, featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa.. According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of Winter weather; no shadow means
“She did it with such dedication because she wanted to make her Father proud of her.” —Margaret Rhodes, Confident of Elizabeth The Princess Elizabeth was born in the early morning hours April 21, 1926 at home. She would be third in line for the throne. Diarist Chips Channon remarked that
You’re an old-timer in Aurora if you: Knew the site of Tivoli Restaurant. Attempted to score a 300 at the Hi-Way Lanes. Ordered a hot dog with all the fixin’s at Elmer’s Dog House. Remembered that K.D. Waldo Middle School was the original East Aurora High School. Bought a dining
