U.S. History We Choose To Ignore

It's amazing how we go through high school, taking college course after college course, writing research papers and taking final exams; Yet, we will never learn all there ever is to learn about our country, our politicians, and who they truly were.  Some leave it out, some refuse to teach it, some just simply ignore it.  I came across this blog this morning and had to share it.

"My morning run took me past the oldest tree in Central Park. This London Plane tree is over 150 years old and was planted sometime shortly before the Reservoir in Central Park was constructed in 1862. To give a little historical perspective, at about the time this tree was planted America was fighting the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln began the process to free African slaves by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, but would also move to brutally eradicate Native Americans by ordering the largest mass hanging in United States history of 38 Santee Sioux and gave a presidential promise to kill or remove every single Native American from the state of Minnesota."

Still think of President Lincoln as God's gift to mankind?  **cough** Not so much.

Discovering The Civil War

10/29 Update:

Ryan and I had so much fun at the Civil War exhibit yesterday. Looking at all the historical artifacts was amazing. To imagine that at one time in our nation's history people used what they had on display there, was awe-inspiring. From the uniforms worn by soldiers to the headgear and weaponry they used. From personal diaries and drawings to the tools of medicine at the time - all of it was fascinating. Documents upon documents were on display, and witnessing the atrocities that went on with slavery were unimaginable. Visiting the museum was truly a rewarding experience, and it's open until April 2012 for those who wish to visit the exhibit.  Simply click on the pic below or the links provided and you can learn more about the museum and it's exhibits..

Ryan and I will be Discovering The Civil War at the Houston Museum of Natural Science today, so I won't be around to blog;  But I look forward to getting back to my readers as soon as the time permits.  Enjoy this extremely gorgeous day!

The Civil War Turns 150 Today.

I have always loved American and World history; The Civil War especially. 

150 years ago today, the American Civil War commenced when shots were fired at Fort Sumter.  And while the war took place so long ago, the issues involving that time still linger today, and I presume it will for many hundreds of years hereafter.  The Daily Beast has a great collection of Civil War photography, including portraits of Lincoln, Grant, and Lee.

click to see gallery

You see, we are not a nation who's been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years like China, Russia, or England; Hell, our nation only turned 234 years old last July.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll released today, roughly one in four Americans said they sympathize more with the Confederacy than the Union, a figure that rises to nearly four in ten among white Southerners.

When asked the reason behind the Civil War, whether it was fought over slavery or states' rights, 52 percent of all Americas said the leaders of the Confederacy seceded to keep slavery legal in their state, but a sizeable 42 percent minority said slavery was not the main reason why those states seceded.

"The results of that question show that there are still racial, political and geographic divisions over the Civil War that still exists a century and a half later," CNN Polling Director Holland Keating said.

When broken down by political party, most Democrats said southern states seceded over slavery, independents were split and most Republicans said slavery was not the main reason that Confederate states left the Union.

Republicans were also most likely to say they admired the leaders of the southern states during the Civil War, with eight in 10 Republicans expressing admiration for the leaders in the South, virtually identical to the 79 percent of Republicans who admired the northern leaders during the Civil War.

We will have a divided nation long after we're gone, this is what will make our country one of the richest histories in the world.  Let us remember that in this nation of ours, we can agree to disagree.