Reading Time: 7 minutes In January 1642, Galileo died in exile as a martyr for science, and later that year Isaac Newton began what would become a hugely consequential life. Walking in his mother’s garden one day, he wondered why an apple falls from its tree directly to the ground in a straight line. Something so basic and common captured Newton’s imagination, and he had to determine why.
Reading Time: 2 minutes James Madison said “If Men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Of course we’re not, so he drafted a governing document that can fit in your pocket. 234 years ago today, delegates to the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia and signed their names to the Constitution of the United States, to “secure the Blessings of Liberty” to themselves and posterity.
Reading Time: 5 minutes All that glitters is not gold, but nothing shines like the real thing. That’s why our brightest element has served as a store of value and medium of exchange for thousands of years. Its scarcity sustains its value and has kept a check on governments throughout history. Until fifty years ago today.
Reading Time: 5 minutes After signing the Declaration of Independence, John Adams predicted that July 4th would be celebrated “with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.” Forever more indeed, another eternal truth from the Founders. Happy 4th of July!
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Indy500’s international appeal reflects the influence of America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who died for our freedom and liberty throughout the world. Wherever you kick off this first post pandemic summer, don a poppy and remind others of why we gather on Memorial Day. Show your appreciation with decoration, commemoration, and celebration. If you watch the race, click below for a free spotter’s guide.
Reading Time: 3 minutes It was a land of plenty and presiding over the settlement, Daniel Boone established rules and legal conventions beneath a giant elm tree. One bill “for improving the breed of horses” is the forerunner to the State of Kentucky leading the world in horse breeding today. The area’s rolling hills make a great training ground for young horses but Boone probably didn’t realize the limestone geology lends calcium to the Kentucky bluegrass which helps horses build strong bones.
Reading Time: 2 minutes With faith in something better to follow our time on earth, most religions teach us to live virtuously to earn the ultimate reward of eternal bliss. For these and so many reasons, spring is a time of renewal and rebirth for people of all faiths. Wishing you all the hope of the season, happy Passover, happy Holy Week and happy spring!
Reading Time: < 1 minute More exciting news! A Classic Path Through High School will be featured alongside some very successful titles in this week’s Hello Books promotion for non-fiction. I also want to thank Book-Fairy.com for inviting me to guest post about my journey through self-publishing. Hardcover is also now available. Please read more at AClassicPath.com/Hello-Books
Reading Time: 3 minutes The luck of the Irish blessed the beginning of the Revolutionary War when George Washington enjoyed his first major victory forcing British Commander William Howe to evacuate his troops from Boston on March 17, 1776. He appointed John Sullivan as officer of the day and made “Saint Patrick” the password. Washington had a special fondness for the land where nine of his closest generals were born.
Reading Time: < 1 minute I want to thank everyone who has ordered my book this week. A Classic Path Through High School earned the #1 New Release tag in the Being a Teen category on Amazon.com! The response from all of you exceeded my wildest hopes, I can’t express how grateful I am for such an outpouring of support.
Daniel D. Hickey is the author of A Classic Path Through High School: Life Lessons for Early Teens, the #1 New Release in Amazon’s Being a Teen category. (March 8, 2021)
If you have read the book, please leave a review at this link.