The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America’s birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official […]
Category Archives: History
Valentine’s Day Isn’t What You Think It Is
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids are actually dark, bloody — and a bit muddled. Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids […]
The Truth About Bonaparte’s Stolen Treasure
Treasure hunters have been looking at the wrong place for the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s stolen treasure for the past 200 years, which was stashed somewhere in Russia during the leader’s retreat from Moscow in 1812. Historian Viacheslav Ryzhkov is claiming that all search efforts should focus on the town of Rudnya, which is located […]
The Government Shutdown & You
We, as a nation have been experiencing this government shutdown and while most of us haven’t felt the impact of it, there are many that have. Navigating something that you have no control over is difficult and the uncertainty of it makes it that much more frustrating for those affected. This would be a great […]
The Native American Legend of Turquoise
Legend has it that the Native American Indians danced and rejoiced when the rains came. Their tears of joy mixed with the rain and seeped into Mother Earth to become Sky Stone Turquoise. Turquoise, the “fallen sky stone” hidden in Mother Earth, has been valued by cultures for its beauty and reputed spiritual and life-giving […]
What do you Know About Zircon?
Many people have heard of zircon but never seen it. This is mostly because of colorless zircon’s wide use as a diamond simulant in the early 1900s. It was long ago replaced in that role by more convincing look-alikes, but its name still means “imitation” to many people. That’s unfortunate because zircon is a beautiful […]
December Babies Have Four to Choose From!
Those who were born in December have the amazing choice of choosing between 3 different minerals to make their birthstones. The birthstones for December are Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz and Turquoise. What these stones seem to have in common is the fact that they all share the same color but in different shades: blue. It is probably 3 […]
The Passing of President George H. W. Bush
Unless you were up very late last night, most of us woke this morning to the news that former 41st President George H. W. Bush had passed away late Friday night at his home. This comes just over 7 months after the death of his wife, Barbara. As the news spread, so did the wave […]
How The Ugly Sweater Tradition Began
The ugly Christmas sweater has become a ubiquitous feature of the holiday season, on par with grumbling about Black Friday or wrestling with the Christmas lights. These tacky garments are now being re-appropriated from their perpetual spot in the wardrobe of great-aunt Edna or your third-grade social studies teacher. Telltale signs of the ugly sweater […]
The History of Squash Blossom Jewelry
The squash blossom has developed slowly and has roots deep in non-native culture and history. The principle part of the necklace is the crescent-shaped “Naja” pendant, which the Southwestern Indians first saw as iron ornaments on the horse bridles of the Spanish Conquistadors in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Captured or traded, these ornaments […]