Facts, Myths, and American History
I have been happily married to Amy for twelve years and am the proud father of Elizabeth and Noah. I majored in history and minored in political science at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS, home of the 2011 NCAA Division II Football National Champion Pittsburg State Gorillas. I was privileged to be selected to teach at Pittsburg State while in graduate school and completed my Master of Arts in History in 2010 with Graduate Deans Academic Honors.
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The Battle of King's Mountain-A Colonists' Victory... Well... Sort Of
Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 4:13 PM2On October 7, 1780 a battle was fought on King's Mountain in northern South Carolina that changed the course of the War for Independence. It was a resounding victory for the patriots and its repercussions were an obstacle that could not be overcome by the British... -
The Star-Spangled Banner
Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at 11:05 AM4The story of how our National Anthem came to be is often told at events and churches around patriotic holidays and rightly so. The poem penned by Francis Scott Key, "Defense of Fort McHenry," from which the National Anthem is derived is quite eloquent and stirring. When placed within the melody of the 18th century English drinking song "The Anacreontic Song," better known as "To Anacreon in Heaven," it becomes absolutely goose bump inspiring... -
The Bloody Lane-Battle of Antietam
Posted Thursday, September 6, 2012, at 11:26 AM4Serene. Morning's twilight gently transformed the blackness into a new day. A choir of birds slowly broke the silence, and the chill of night ebbed away. I stood on a low road among perfectly manicured grounds and pristine statues. Everything was exactly as it should be: peaceful... -
Facts, Myths, and American History
Posted Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at 10:40 AM2"History is but fables agreed upon." This statement, attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, sets an ominous tone for the serious study of history... if it's true. Looking through American history it takes very little effort to provide evidence that Napoleon was, at least, partially correct. The discovery of America, Jamestown, the pilgrims and Plymouth colony, the American Revolution, and the War for Independence are all examples of America's foundational events that have been corrupted by myth...