Category Archives: International

Gloucester Cathedral and the US national anthem

Posted on January 1, 2020 by

An unexpected connection to American history found in Gloucester Cathedral in England. Continue reading →

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Blenheim Palace and Americans

Posted on December 19, 2019 by

Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an interesting intersection of American and British history. Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 20th century, cemetery/grave, garden, house, International | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The power in a view

Posted on October 23, 2016 by

I checked into the hotel and walked into my room. It was a room with a view alright — a view south to Canada. Where was I? Detroit. Other than thinking it cool that I was maybe the only place the … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, civil rights, International | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Immigrants come to Wisconsin

Posted on August 13, 2016 by

How often do you get to see a Norwegian or Finnish farm? In America? Or see nine newborn piglets, or taste horehound candy, or ride an 1880s tricycle… On a recent trip to Milwaukee to visit a friend, we headed … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, agricultural, International | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

First Flight Around the World, finalist for nonfiction award

Posted on December 4, 2015 by

I’m honored that my recent book First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race has been named a finalist for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Few people know about this 1924 Army Air Service … Continue reading →

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Japanese American history in Washington

Posted on August 27, 2015 by

Bainbridge Island sits in Puget Sound, a 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. The lush island has been named among the best places to live in the United States. I visited to attend a three-day symposium for museum folks … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, civil rights, International, West | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

World Flight starting line and finish line

Posted on August 17, 2015 by

Is there a history site you’ve wanted to visit for a long time? I finally managed a visit to one that had been on my list. I was doing research for my recent book, First Flight Around the World, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, International, military, transportation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A French frigate arrives

Posted on June 14, 2015 by

I just visited the French frigate Hermione, a replica of the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette back to America in 1780. Under construction for almost twenty years, the Hermione is, according to the website,  the largest and most authentic Tall … Continue reading →

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The Cabildo, witness to history

Posted on February 17, 2015 by

If these walls could talk… I don’t usually walk around personifying historic buildings and wishing they could talk to me. But every now and then I think how cool it would be if buildings could speak about the events they … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 19th century, art and culture, city/town, International, pre-America | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A whalebone sidewalk and more

Posted on July 19, 2014 by

While perhaps best known for its spectacular aquarium, its otters and Cannery Row, Monterey, California has a fascinating history that illustrates the turmoil of shifting power over many years. Monterey was the capital of the region of Alta California under both … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, city/town, International, religion, West | 4 Comments