Did you know that in Union Square, the words of the Declaration of Independence are inscribed on a ten-foot-high bronze tablet? The Independence Flagpole in Union Square commemorates the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. Murphy Flagpole (Independence … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Holidays
Point of impact By 1775, American colonists and the British were on a collision course. The Stamp Act, imposed in 1765 to defray the cost of defending the colonies from the French and the Indians, was followed by the Townshend … Continue reading
My annual survey of amazing goods and decorations in Manhattan. You can’t escape the Greeks (and why would you want to?) The windows you shouldn’t miss are at Louis Vuitton – Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, and Madison Avenue at … Continue reading
This essay is adapted from Chapter 36 of Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan: A Historical Guide. I’ve kept cross-references to other chapters in the book. Outdoor Monuments has been “translated” into a fabulous app that you can enjoy on your phone or tablet for … Continue reading
This essay is adapted from Chapter 35 of Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan: A Historical Guide. I’ve kept cross-references to other chapters in the book. Outdoor Monuments has been “translated” into a fabulous app that you can enjoy on your phone or tablet for … Continue reading
Henry Van Dyke, Jr. (1852-1933) was sent as United States ambassador to Holland and Luxemburg in 1913, just before the Great War (World War I) erupted. Perhaps it was that experience that led him to write one of my favorite … Continue reading
Years ago I bought this poster of an exuberant bouquet by Jan van Huysum (1682-1749), which was at the time on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It’s still among the two dozen framed images that rotate through … Continue reading
“The Minstrel Boy” Listen (John McDermott has a wonderful voice!) as if you’d never heard this song before. It isn’t just about Ireland: it’s about not surrendering your values. The Minstrel-boy to the war is gone, In the ranks of death you’ll … Continue reading
Why choose just one? Here’s a selection of my favorite New Year’s cards from New York Public Library’s digital collections: a little corny, a lot sincere. Most of them probably date ca. 1900. All NYPL’s New Year’s cards are here (foreign ones … Continue reading
In which Hamilton discusses holiday plans with his son. The following letter is from Alexander Hamilton to his son 9-year-old son Philip, who was at school in Trenton. Hamilton was at this time in Philadelphia, serving as secretary of the Treasury. … Continue reading