Category: historical

bookmark_borderEstonian Lutherans oppose Mormon access to genealogy records.

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

Pernau – November 22nd 1905, a group of socialists threw an Estonian preacher from the pulpit, causing the congregation to flee in panic.{1}  Back then, Estonia was just as religious as anywhere else.

After just a few decades of Soviet rule, Estonia is now one of the least religious countries in Europe.

The largest surviving religion, the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, claim just 15 percent of the Estonian population.

Estonia, map and flag. by the US Department of State

During the Soviet era, when Estonia was part of the USSR, the Lutheran church and other churches had their records archived by the state.

Since the fall of communism, the Estonian government has been sharing these records with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (also known as the LDS church, or the Mormons), who are digitizing and storing them.

Continue reading “Estonian Lutherans oppose Mormon access to genealogy records.”

bookmark_borderWell, who should play Ronald Reagan?

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

While some see President Reagan as the man who won the cold war, others remember him as having changed the economy at home.  Some might paint him as a kind of Scrooge, the character so well portrayed by Michael Caine (or, to keep in the Reagan Era,  very un-Reagan-like actors Bill Murray or George C. Scott.)

But President Reagan wasn’t all about war and money.  He was one of the most charming Presidents in the 20th century, far more charming than many actors are off the set. Continue reading “Well, who should play Ronald Reagan?”

bookmark_borderMelting hearts to bring down a wall of ice

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

Whatever happened in Iran Contra, that didn’t win the cold war.

The Berlin Wall didn’t come down until after Reagan left office, but most of us knew that the fall of communism was just a matter of time. By the end of Reagan’s presidency, Perestroika, Glasnost, and sympathetic soviet characters in children’s cartoons showed us that we no longer saw the Red Peril as a serious threat. Continue reading “Melting hearts to bring down a wall of ice”

bookmark_borderBreaking News: Chinese Rebels capture Beijing – November 6, ’11

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

Hong kong Nov. 6  “There was an extroardinary outburst of enthusiasm here today when a report came from Shanghai that the native city of Pekin [Beijing] had been captured by the Rebels.” The Washington Herald reports. “Rebel flags appeared everywhere.”

Rebel Flag in China
Flag of the Chinese rebel uprising

The rebels also captured Zhenjiang, apparently peacefully. “There was no disorder.” And in Shanghai, a section of Admiral’s fleet hoisted the rebel flag. Continue reading “Breaking News: Chinese Rebels capture Beijing – November 6, ’11”

bookmark_borderHeads will roll

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

On November 3, 1798 six men were beheaded in Cairo, on the orders of General Napoleon Bonaparte.  They lost their heads only months after General Bonaparte landed “The Army of Egypt” to liberate the Egyptian people from the terror of the Mameluke Beys. Now, Napoleon was seen by many as the Mameluke.

So, what happened since June?

Continue reading “Heads will roll”

bookmark_borderDo we know the Truth about Reagan?

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

Last time, we remembered the birth of a Homicidal Robot called The Terminator, a personification of the fears in nineteen eighties.

Whether a metallic robot or an action hero, Arnold “Arnie” Schwarzenegger played characters with tough little sayings. Arnie could make a cliché cool, but it was all about getting straight to the point. While President Ronald “Ronnie” Reagan “did not recall” what happened in the Iran Contra Affair, Arnie would later pulled out of his mess on Mars with Total Recall. Continue reading “Do we know the Truth about Reagan?”

bookmark_borderTen great British history films.

Posted on by Vasco de Sousa

On screenjunkies.com, Honora James made a list of the top ten “English historical movies”, whatever that means.  Not only did Honora list a flick about a Scot as the top “English movie”, but she left out a few of the treasures that show the Sceptred Isle in its true splendor.

So, I’ve made my own list of great motion pictures that tell us about the history of Britain. Continue reading “Ten great British history films.”