The Cross of Gold SpeechDelivered by William Jennings Bryan, at the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago on July 9, 1896.I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were but a measuring of ability; but this is not a contest among persons. The humblest citizen […]
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Rufus Buck Gang July 6th is the anniversary of the hanging of the Rufus Buck Gang- four black and Indian teens who tried to singlehandedly, violently halt the expansion of the burgeoning United States. You’ve never heard of them, but they stand among the most notorious and politically significant outlaws of the Old West. The
Death of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a renowned Russian composer of the Romantic era, left a lasting legacy in classical music. Known for his ballets, symphonies, operas, and chamber music, Tchaikovsky’s life and untimely death have been the subject of much speculation and intrigue.Dates: Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, and
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The Scream” by Edvard MunchOne evening I was walking along a path, the city was on one side and the fjord below. I felt tired and ill. I stopped and looked out over the fjord – the sun was setting, and the clouds turning blood red. I sensed a scream passing through nature; it seemed
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Palace Theatre in London, EnglandThe Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster in London, England. Its rich history, remarkable architecture, and significant cultural impact make it an important landmark.Opening: The Palace Theatre officially opened its doors on January 10, 1891, as the Royal English Opera House. It was designed by
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Letters from Jack The Ripper, 1888Jack The Ripper ‘Dear Boss’ letterSeptember 27, 1888Dear Boss,I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits. I
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Indian National Congress in British IndiaThe Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 as a political party that played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. The INC was instrumental in mobilizing the Indian masses and shaping the country’s political landscape.Dates: The INC was founded on December 28, 1885,
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American Anti-Vivisection SocietyThe American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) is an organization dedicated to ending the use of animals in research, testing, and education. It is one of the oldest animal rights organizations in the United States. It has played an important role in raising awareness and promoting legislative changes to protect animals from cruelty and suffering.Dates
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Edgar Wilson ‘Bill’ Nye’s Postmaster resignation letter to US President Chester B. Arthur October 1, 1883 To the President of the United States: Sir.— I beg leave at this time to officially tender my resignation as postmaster at this place, and in due form to deliver the great seal and the key to the front
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“Duties of American Citizenship”by Theodore Roosevelt, on January 26, 1883Of course, in one sense, the first essential for a man’s being a good citizen is his possession of the home virtues of which we think when we call a man by the emphatic adjective of manly. No man can be a good citizen who is
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“Surrender Speech”by Chief Joseph, on October 5, 1877, as he surrendered to General Howard, in The Montana Territory:“I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ He who led the young men
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Bram Stoker’s Letter to Walt WhitmanFebruary 14, 1876My dear Mr. Whitman.I hope you will not consider this letter from an utter stranger a liberty. Indeed, I hardly feel a stranger to you, nor is this the first letter that I have written to you. My friend Edward Dowden has told me often that you like
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Love Letter from Samuel L. Clemens to Olivia ClemensNovember 27, 1875Livy darling,Six years have gone by since I made my first great success in life and won you, and thirty years have passed since Providence made preparation for that happy success by sending you into the world.Every day we live together adds to the security
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2nd Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln, on March 4, 1865 “Fellow-Countrymen, at this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at
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Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Lydia Bixby, who lost 5 sons in the Civil WarNovember 21, 1864Dear Madam,—I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.I feel how weak
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Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to the King of Siam, declining the offer of Elephants to help with the civil war.February 3, 1862Abraham Lincoln,President of the United States of America.To His Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mongut,King of Siam,Great and Good Friend:I have received Your Majesty’s two letters of the date of February 14th., 1861.I have also
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11 year-old Grace Bedell’s letter to Abraham Lincoln, advising him to grow a beardOctober 18, 1860Dear SirMy father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin’s. I am a little girl only eleven years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I
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Sarah Lougue’s letter to her runaway slave Jermain Wesley Logan (Jarm Logue) His response is included below. February 20th, 1860. To JARM:- I now take my pen to write you a few lines, to let you know how well we all are. I am a cripple, but I am still able to get about. The
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Matrimonial Causes ActThe Matrimonial Causes Act, enacted in the United Kingdom in 1857, significantly reformed the country’s divorce and marriage dissolution laws. Prior to this act, divorce was a complicated and costly process, only accessible to the wealthy. The legislation marked a turning point in British society by making divorce more accessible, with lasting effects
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“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens:He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater
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Old Ironsides by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. Ay, tear her tattered ensign down! Long has it waved on high, And many an eye has danced to see That banner in the sky; Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon’s roar; The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more!
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Charles Lamb’s letter to Bernard Barton, regarding his cold January 9th, 1824 Dear B.B.- Do you know what it is to succumb under an insurmountable day-mare,- “a whoreson lethargy,” Falstaff calls it, -an indisposition to do anything, or to be anything, -a total deadness and distaste,-a suspension of vitality, -an indifference to locality,- a numb,
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George Washington’s Farewell AddressSeptember 17, 1796, To the People of the United StatesFriends and Fellow Citizens:The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed designating the person, who is to be
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“Abolition Speech”by William WilberforceMay 12, 1789, at The House of Commons, LondonWhen I consider the magnitude of the subject which I am to bring before the House, a subject in which the interests, not of this country nor of Europe alone, but of the whole world and of posterity are involved, and when I think
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Benjamin Franklin’s Letter to William StrahanJuly 5, 1775Mr. StrahanYou are a Member of Parliament, and one of that Majority which has doomed my Country to Destruction. You have begun to burn our Towns and murder our People. — Look upon your hands! They are stained with the Blood of your Relations! — You and I
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Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Deathby Patrick Henry, on March 23, 1775, in Richmond, VANo man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I
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An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penitential Cries by Jupiter Hammon (October 17, 1711(?) – 1806) Salvation comes by Christ alone, The only Son of God; Redemption now to every one, That love his holy Word. Dear Jesus, we would fly to Thee, And leave off every Sin, Thy tender Mercy well agree; Salvation
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Canasatego and the CollegeAnother passage from the letter I wrote Peter Collinson on May 9, 1753. This contains a story I told more than once. I have added to it the official minutes of the same transaction, which I printed, which are rather different._____________________________The little value Indians set on what we prize so highly under
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Those Swarming GermansAnother passage from the letter I wrote to Peter Collinson on May 9, 1753. Not a passage I am now, decades later, very proud of. At the time, I sincerely feared that the great number of Germans pouring into Pennsylvania might very well betray the country to the French, and lead to the
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The following is a little piece I put together for my 1739 almanac. I took some passages from Francois Rabelais, added a good deal of my own observation or invention, and recalculated for America. I jested a bit here with the manner of speaking I heard in different places, and other things. I was not
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