With a 7 day old child, haven't found much time to write the things I'd like to write. But I did find this quote, which is appropriate on two levels.
"Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite
at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."
- Ronald Reagan
For more quotes go to USHistoryQuotes.com
Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Government is Like a Baby... Ronald Reagan
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy 4th of July
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. "
- John Adams
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.
- Thomas Jefferson
Hey guys... 233 Years and Counting...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Favorite American Quote Winner
Several weeks ago I asked my readers to contribute their favorite quote from American history. I promised I'd choose my favorite from the list and highlight it in a future post. This... is that future post.
I'd first like to thank those of you that contributed. We had about ten participants and about 15 submissions.
My favorite of the bunch was from the anonymous contributor 'boldlygo', who submitted a great Abraham Lincoln quote from a letter Lincoln wrote to Union General George McClellan.
"If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while."That said, here's a little history of that quote...
Lincoln, was known as a micro-manager. During the war he could hardly keep still and was constantly getting his hands dirty in the details of the war. According to Doris Kearns Goodwin, Author of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Lincoln, Lincoln would often "get himself to the battlefield to visit the soldiers, walk amidst their ranks, [and] see the wounded in the hospital."
The picture to the left is a great example of Lincoln's "Management by Walking Around" concept. A strategy still used today by many managers and supervisors.
Lincoln wanted to win the war quickly, and was no longer willing to accept McClellan’s belief that the Union Army "should take their time and use extra precaution". An interview found in Spartacus, in March of 1863, Lincoln said:
I directed McClellan peremptorily to move on Richmond. It was eleven days before he crossed his first man over the Potomac; it was eleven days after that before he crossed the last man. Thus he was twenty-two days in passing the river at a much easier and more practicable ford than that where Lee crossed his entire army between dark one night and daylight the next morning. That was the last grain of sand which broke the camel’s back. I relieved McClellan at once.
Lincoln soon replaced McClellan with Ambrose Burnside. Lincoln would go on to relieve several more Union leaders until finally settling on Ulysses S. Grant to finish the war.
Other Works cited:
http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/McClellan__George_B.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=qbefJcN89sIC&printsec=frontcover
Saturday, May 02, 2009
General Patton Diary Entry - May 1, 1944
"In spite of possible execution this morning I slept well and trust my destiny. God has never let me, or the country, down yet."
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/churchill/wc-trans215.html
Friday, April 17, 2009
Your Favorite Quote from American History
Do you have a favorite quote? Was it said by a famous American?
Washington? FDR? Sandy Koufax?
Is it inspirational? funny? or the epitome of liberty?
We're interested to learn more about our audience by having them interact.
Share your favorite US History Quote below and tell us why you love it so much.
We'll choose our favorites and highlight them in a future post.
Thanks. for sharing.
Monday, March 02, 2009
The Founders on the Founders; Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era
Too often we read about the great men who founded this country from a scholarly perspective. A view which highlights their accomplishments and their public persona, which sometimes does not give insight into their true character. The Founders on the Founders: Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era
Through a collection of quotes from journals, John P. Kaminski profiles 30 of the revolution's best known men and women and gives them a personality. The quotes he's chosen bring out the character of each individual, but with a twist. The twist is that most of the quotes are candid "conversations" (letters written between two people), where they talk openly and honestly about someone else. This, is what reveals the WORD PORTRAIT of that individual. The result is fascinating.
Take for example, Thomas Jefferson. We mostly know Jefferson as the quiet, eloquent, peace maker, who would greet people in the White House wearing his slippers. Kaminski's book reveals much more.
Written chronologically, each chapter profiles the men and women of the Revolution as we rarely see them. The book reveals a Jefferson who is vulnerable, heartbroken, depressed and inconsolable. A series of letters between James Madison and Edmund Randolph (Member of the Continental Congress, and would eventually become Va. Governor and Secretary of State) help to tell this story. I've inluded one example below.
James Madison to Edmund Randolph - September 30, 1782 (on Jefferson)
"Mrs. Jefferson has at last shaken off her tormenting pains by yielding to them, (she died Sep. 6) and has left our friend inconsolable... I scarcely supposed, that his grief would be so violent, as to justify the circulating report, of his swooning away whenever he sees his children."A side of Jefferson we rarely think about, a new portrait of the man we associate with pride and eloquence. A word portrait, as painted by the men who new him best.
The book, The Founders on the Founders is a great reference to reveal the true spirit of our founding fathers.You can read more about the book here: The Founders on the Founders: Word Portraits from the American Revolutionary Era
Monday, November 03, 2008
Election Day: November 4, 2008: Quotes & Votes
With today's election in the balance, I thought these quotes, from past presidents, to be appropriate. I don't care who you vote for... as long as you vote.
Happy Election Day!
"The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter." - Dwight Eisenhower
"The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all."- JFK"I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant." - JFK
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams
"The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men." - Lyndon Johnson
"Voters quickly forget what a man says." - Richard Nixon
"When a fellow tells me he's bipartisan, I know he's going to vote against me." - Harry Truman
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For more quotes from these presidents and others, please visit http://ushistorysite.com/president_quotes.php
Friday, September 26, 2008
Founding Fathers Quote Friday - Liberty
This is the second installment of a weekly meme called FFQF, or, "Founding Father's Quote Friday" - to read more about what it is you can click here.
This month's theme is Liberty. And today's Founding Father is The Godfather of Founding Fathers, George Washington.
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
This quote from President Washington is taken from a letter he wrote to James Madison on March 2, 1788. The letter was written to Madison on the eve of the election of officials from Massachusetts, who were to vote on the ratification of the Constitution.
It was during this time in 1787 and 1788, that Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote the famed Federalist Papers. Most of the essays were published in between October 1787 and August 1788. So this letter falls right in the middle of it all.
In reading this quote and knowing it's context I get a sense that Washington was confident in the ratification of the Constitution. Almost reassuring Madison, who was the chief architect of the document, as it was based on his Constitution of Virginia, that his hard work would not go for naught.
By June 21, 1788, the Constitution had been ratified by nine states and it soon went into effect. The rest, as they say... is history.
The letter can be read in its entirety below.
Mount Vernon, March 2, 1788
Sir:
The decision of Massachusetts, notwithstanding its concomitants, is a severe stroke to the opponents of the proposed Constitution in this State; and with the favorable determination of the States which have gone before, and such as are likely to follow after, will have a powerful operation on the Minds of Men who are not actuated more by disappointment, passion and resentment, than they are by moderation, prudence and candor. Of the first description however, it is to be lamented that there are so many; and among them, some who would hazard every thing rather than their opposition should fail, or have the sagacity of their prognostications impeached by an issue contrary to their predictions.
The determination you have come to, will give pleasure to your friends. From those in your County you will learn with more certainty than from me, the expediency of your attending the election in it. With some, to have differed in sentiment, is to have passed the Rubicon of their friendship, altho’ you should go no further. With others (for the honor of humanity) I hope there is more liberality; but the consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our Country, is superior to all other considerations, will place small matters in a secondary point of view.
His Most Ch—n M—y speaks, and acts in a style not very pleasing to republican ears or to republican forms; nor do I think this language is altogether so to the temper of his own subjects at this day. Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. The checks he endeavors to give it, however warrantable by ancient usage, will more than probably, kindle a flame, which may not be easily extinguished; tho’ for a while it may be smothered by the Armies at his command, and the Nobility in his interest. When the people are oppressed with Taxes, and have cause to suspect that there has been a is application of their money, the language of despotism is but illy brooked. This, and the mortification which the pride of the Nation has sustained in the affairs of Holland (if one may judge from appearances) may be productive of events which prudence will not mention.
To-morrow, the Elections for delegates to the Convention of this State commences; and as they will tread close upon the heels of each other this month becomes interesting and important. With the most friendly sentiments and affectionate regard &c.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Founding Fathers Quote Friday
This month's theme is Liberty.
To start, I chose one of the fiercest fighters of liberty and one of my favorite Founding Fathers; John Adams.
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
Adams' sentiments demonstrate how important he believed his life's purpose was. His actions, would undoubtedly effect many generations after his..."our posterity" if you will, and it is comforting to know that he had the future in mind.
For more quotes by John Adams and other founding fathers, go to the USHistorySite.com Quotes page: http://www.ushistorysite.com/quotes.php
And here's one more John Adams quote, just because...
"Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Harry Truman - Mis-quoted
As some of you may know I have a website dedicated to US History Lesson plans, time lines, quotes, facts, etc... anything that would help a teacher research or share information.
A while back I decided it would be a good idea to add pages with quotes from Presidents. I added the obvious ones; Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, JFK and FDR, and Thomas Jefferson. I eventually added more Presidents, but the list is not complete.
This led me to add some pages for quotations from famous Americans (people that might be studied in a high school classroom), like MLK, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Ben Franklin, John Muir, Abigail Adams and Susan B. Anthony, to name a few.
For some of these quotations pages, I've added video, so you can listen to the quotes as you read them. I guess my website is finally getting into Web 2.0.
To find these quotes, I mostly use other Internet sources. I do occasionally ad quotes that I read in books or magazines, but for the most part I trust the Internet to be my accurate source.
Not too long ago I received an inquiry from a site visitor that read:
Do you know the correctness and creation date of this Truman quote: "Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it."?
I was taken aback... how could this trusted Internet site from where I pulled the quote be wrong? Like the Chicago Tribune paper he's holding... he's been misquoted.
I quickly used my research skills to get to the bottom of it... and within a few minutes had found the answer... I quickly replied:
I quickly used my research skills to get to the bottom of it... and within a few minutes had found the answer... I quickly replied:
Hi Jim,
I hadn't thought about checking the validity of any of the quotes on my site, but perhaps I should change that. I have put too much trust in the public domain.
I did some research and it appears like Truman was accidentally or incorrectly credited with saying this.
Here is the information I found from WikiQuote (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman)
Attributed without citation in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (1992) by Angela Partington, disputed in The Quote Verifier : Who Said What, Where, and When (2006) by Ralph Keyes, p. 224, as something Truman is not known to have said, nor was likely to have said.
And i did find some other information which credits Mortimer Snerd with saying something similar - "Always be sincere, whether you mean it or not." Though this quote is also credited to Flanders and Swann, a British comedy duo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanders_and_Swann
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I love the research. I will remove this from my site this evening.
Best,
Kevin Katz
http://www.ushistorysite.com/
And that was that... Harry Truman has mistakenly been given credit to something he never said. Jim wrote back to me with a great resource....
Thank you. I'm nearly 50 years old and I had always heard "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” so I was surprised the actual quote was, “Harry, if you can't stand the heat you better get out of the kitchen” [Truman, Wright
Memorial Dinner of the Aero Club of Washington, address 12/1952] the folks
at the Truman Library showed me how to access his public papers on-line < http://www.trumanlibrary.org/, click on "Archival Research," and then on Public Papers>
Another Truman quote taken out of context and credited to him...
Thanks Jim for bringing this to our attention.. and thanks for being a true scholar, and a true historian... always question... always doubt... and always seek the truth... Here's Jim's blog: http://woodrow-woodrowd.blogspot.com/
Let's trust Jim.. and the folks at the Truman Library...
And finally, here is the link to the updated and hopefully accurate Harry Truman quotes page: http://ushistorysite.com/truman_quotes
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Quotable John F. Kennedy
Today would have been JFK's 91st birthday.
To commemorate his birth, I've included some quotes from one of the great orators.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution
inevitable."
"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on."
"Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought"
"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."
"Things do not happen. Things are made to happen."
For more quotes go to: http://ushistorysite.com/kennedy_quotes.php
Or for John F. Kennedy lesson plans go to: http://ushistorysite.com/jfk
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Quote for Thought
Have been watching Gandhi the 1982, best picture starring Ben Kingsley. With so many similarities between Gandhi and Martin Luther King, it is only fitting that I stumbled upone this quote from MLK:
"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."
In thinking about both men, the quote is very appropriate.
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