American Slaves and Emancipation

This is a great article examining the history of Emancipation, and how former slaves used photography to emphasise their freedom. Some examples can be seen by following the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252946/Picturing-freedom-How-slaves-used-photography-imagine-create-new-lives-Emancipation.html

"If the grand experiment fails"

In 1846, James Macbeth argued that slavery was poisoning the United States, the land of self-professed liberty, and it's such a powerful statement I had to replicate it here. 

“...if the grand experiment of the American republic fails – and through the fierce passions which slavery engenders, it is provoking danger every hour from within and from without – then woe to the cause of liberty over the earth. To save that republic, its slavery must be abolished, and if it be not extricated by the energetic action of its churches – at present so shamefully lethargic – it will not be extricated peacefully and the last lingering tints of the bow of hope on that western sky may soon disappear in a revolutionary storm – in a shower of blood…”

That "shower of blood" would become the Civil War.

(|Macbeth, James, “No Fellowship with slaveholders: a calm review of the debate on slavery in the Free Assembly of 1846, addressed respectfully to the Assembly of 1847, and to the members and kirk sessions of the Free Church”, Glasgow, 1846, pp.3-37.)

The Christmas Truce

A letter has been found recording the famous football game that was held between British and German soldiers during the Christmas Truce of 1914.

In some areas along the Western Front, soldiers from both sides yelled christmas greetings to each other, sang carols, and even walked across No Man's Land to exchange cigarettes.

Sergeant Clement Barker recorded how a game of football started when the British kicked a ball across No Man's Land. The letter is an incredibly important document, especially in the light of the centenary anniversary of the start of the First World War in 1914.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252454/A-football-kicked-trenches-played-Germans-Previously-unseen-letter-Clement-Barker-recounting-World-War-One-Christmas-Day-truce-1914-revealed.html

Memorial to Black Soldiers of the Revolution

A memorial to over 5,000 free and enslaved African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War has been given the go ahead by the Senate. A small section of federal land has been provided for the National Mall Liberty Fund D.C., although federal money will not be used to install the monument. Plans for the memorial have been under construction for thirty years.

It will be interesting to chart the course of this memorial, as with anything to do with public history, it is bound to be controversial. On a separate note, I think Britain should do something about this Revolutionary legacy - I mean, we promised thousands of African Americans freedom and then decided to "conveniently" forget about this.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/4/tribute-to-black-fighters-in-revolutionary-war-adv/print/

Americans and their Confederate Heritage

The Confederate flag has always been a controversial symbol, now arguably even more so - and famous figures always receive praise or abuse for flaunting it. Trace Adkins wore a Confederate-styled ear piece to turn on the Christmas lights at the Rockefeller Centre, and he has sparked another debate about its meaning. Racial symbol or a mark of Southern heritage? That's the tricky thing about 'symbols', they mean different things to different people, especially when it is taken out of historical context and used for present (or political) ends. I personally don't agree with it, but tell that to the state of Mississippi - its flag still contains a Confederate cross.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/adkins-says-he-meant-no-offense-in-wearing-confederate-designed-earpiece-during-tree-lighting/2012/11/29/c72c72a0-3a94-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html

Trench Talk

This article from the Telegraph is really interesting - two historians have been researching words and phrases that originated during World War One. Terms like "pushing up daises", "blighty", "fed up" and  "lousy", all began in the 'war to end all wars.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9700432/The-trench-talk-that-is-now-entrenched-in-the-English-language.html

Is this the Iceberg that Sank the Titanic?

A photograph taken of a peculiarly shaped iceberg two days before the Titanic sank has surfaced, and some experts believe that this may have been the iceberg that collided with the infamous ship. The unusual shape and its position in the Atlantic offer compelling evidence to suggest it might be...

On the 12 April 1912, Captain W.F Wood took this photograph, printed it, and recorded the coordinates of this huge iceberg. According to some survivors of the Titanic, the iceberg had an interesting elliptical shape, much like the one in the photograph. The size of the iceberg, and the fact that it was roughly ten miles from the Titanic's position have got many Titanic enthusiasts very excited.

The photograph is due to be auctioned next week, and is expected to reach between $8000-10,000.

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2012/11/28/photo-may-show-iceberg-that-sank-titanic/?intcmp=obnetwork#ixzz2Ddy4EO7S

The Native American Headdress...What Does It Mean To You?

The fashion company Victoria Secret have issued an apology after dressing a model in a Native American headdress. Several tribes took offence to this exhibitionism, and have called the display rude and demeaning to their culture. For many tribes, the headdress is not only sacred, but personal - each one shows the bravery and honour that individual has achieved.

Many tribal leaders are disappointed with the show, claiming that it mocks the Native American way of life. Others think it is an overreaction. Last year, Urban Outfitters was criticised for its new range of "Navajo" clothing, so this debate is nothing new.

The headdress is effectively a religious object, and if the model wore a crucifix they would be facing the same kind of criticism (I'm sure this has been done in the fashion world at some point, since much is designed to shock). From this point of view it's easy to blame the people who made this decision, but the Native American headdress has become so integral to Western culture - through Halloween costumes or the age-old story of "Cowboys vs. Indians" - that people don't think twice about using it. Of course, it depends on the context - a public display such as a fashion show is more likely to invite criticism, but I would be interested to see how Native American tribes treat Halloween costumes or the numerous students who dress up as "Indians" for parties. Native Americans believe more education is needed about their culture, how it is treated and how it is perceived, something which I would welcome. But at the same time, if some tribes are trying to eradicate the use of the headdress as a meaningless symbol they are (unfortunately) facing an uphill battle.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/victorias-secret-apologizes-for-native-american-headdress-used-in-annual-fashion-show/2012/11/12/1981ea8e-2d26-11e2-b631-2aad9d9c73ac_story.html

WW1 and PTSD

An interesting but often overlooked episode during the First World War is the treatment of soldiers for 'shell shock', something that was not completely understood at the time. Some of these soldiers were sent to hospitals where, more often than not, 'treatment' consisted of electric shocks and what today we would call downright abuse. (Read Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy for more on this). 

Symptoms of 'shell shock' include shaking, nightmares, convulsions, fits, lack of speech and even loss of memory. Over 80,000 men were diagnosed with some form of 'shell shock', but of course these are only the recorded cases. The famous war poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen were admitted to the same hospital for a time.

Not all doctors used electric shocks however. In a hospital in Devon, Arthur Hurst used hypnotherapy, as well as encouraging soldiers to remember what happened to them, reconstructing battlefields to prevent any sense of denial. Through this, Hurst managed to help over 90% of his patients. Pathe have just released some disturbing footage of some of these patients from the hospital, follow the link below.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2229655/Disturbing-Pathe-footage-World-War-One-reveals-devastating-effects-shell-shock-soldiers-treated-pioneering-Devon-hospital.html

Britain's imperial past...

New research suggests that Britain has invaded nearly 90% of the countries on Earth.

The long list includes Vietnam, Iceland and even Cuba. Interestingly, the list (compiled by Stuart Laycock) is no means conclusive - indeed, Laycock believes there are more countries that could be added, and is encouraging others to come forward to present new research. Laycock, who has written books on Roman history, was sparked into this quest by his son who asked him how many countries Britain had invaded.

The countries that Britain haven't invaded are, to name a few - Andorra, Belarus, Guatemala, Paraguay, Sweden, Vatican City and Monaco.

And the country Britain has invaded the most? France takes first prize. Cue the old French related jokes of poor fighting ability. Ahem.

Anyway. watch out, Luxembourg, we're coming for you.

The Lifeboat Legacy

When the Titanic set sail from Southampton on the 10th April 1912, she had 20 lifeboats. This would have saved a third of the passengers and crew on board, something that may strike us as horrifying now but was perfectly natural at the time. Architects were confident in the use of watertight compartments in the design of the ship, believing them to be the epitome of safety. Thus, less lifeboats were needed. If a ship was not built with watertight compartments, more lifeboats were needed. Remarkably, the Titanic sailed with four more lifeboats than what was required by law at the time, and Thomas Andrews, the designer of the Titanic actually requested there should be 64 lifeboats. But White Star Line, the company that owned the Titanic, shot this down as they believed too many lifeboats would clutter the deck space. It has since been calculated that 51 lifeboats would have been needed to save every person on board the ship.

Interestingly enough, the civil servant who inspected the Titanic before she sailed, Maurice Clarke, believed there should have been more lifeboats. In some handwritten notes he made on the day of inspection, Clarke clearly stated the ship was not as safe as it could be, but made no mention of this in his official report because his job was on the line - White Star Line was pressurising Clarke's employer for a squeaky clean report. Despite this, he acknowledged that it would have been impossible to increase the lifeboats because of lack of funds and manpower. Regardless, Clarke did not mention his misgivings at the inquiry into the disaster.

Poignantly, Clarke had written "a sufficiency of boats would allay a panic."

These handwritten notes are expected to reach £30,000.

Ice Tribute to Titanic

This is one the of most impressive memorials I have ever seen.

In Belfast, Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo sculpted 1,517 ice figures, representing every victim to the Titanic disaster. It was here that the Titanic was built, and this tribute was organised to coincide with the centenary of the sinking on 15 April 1912. The little figures were 15in high, and gradually, they melted, one after the other...

Check out the beautiful pictures here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20020498