Tag Archives: Thomas Jefferson

The Books: “The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry” – Lorine Niedecker

Posted on April 20, 2010 by sheila

Daily Book Excerpt: Poetry The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, edited by Jahan Ramazani, Richard Ellmann, and Robert O’Clair I had not heard of Lorine Niedecker, until this past January, when I took the Norton Anthology out to … Continue reading →

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Today in history: April 13, 1743

Posted on April 13, 2010 by sheila

Thomas Jefferson was born. James Parton: A gentleman of 32 who could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance a minuet, and play the violin. From David McCullough’s … Continue reading →

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Today in history: December 4, 1783

Posted on December 4, 2009 by sheila

George Washington met with his officers in Fraunces Tavern here in New York City to resign his commission as Commander in Chief. It was an emotional moment. The war had been long. What would happen now? Fraunces Tavern was downtown … Continue reading →

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Today in history: February 22, 1732

Posted on February 22, 2009 by sheila

George Washington, first President of the United States, was born. (All quotes from George Washington’s letters below I got from my copy of the Library of America’s compilation of his writings) Thomas Jefferson on George Washington: The moderation and virtue … Continue reading →

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2008 Books Read

Posted on December 31, 2008 by sheila

… in the order in which I finished them, understanding that very often I read many books at the same time. I count re-read books, by the way. I’ll include links to any posts or book excerpts I might have … Continue reading →

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July 4, 1826

Posted on July 4, 2008 by sheila

It was the 50th anniversary of July 4, 1776. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had been invited to attend huge celebrations in honor of the anniversary, but due to illness – both had sent their regrets and also best … Continue reading →

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The Perfect Library

Posted on April 8, 2008 by sheila

110 best books … Of course the thing with these lists is people get uppity and pissed, either by what is left off (My first uppity question is: “where the hell is Harriet the Spy??”) or by the bias shown … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday to Sharon’s Dead Boyfriend, George Washington

Posted on February 22, 2008 by sheila

… who was born on this day in 1732. Thomas Jefferson on George Washington: The moderation and virtue of a single character probably prevented this Revolution from being closed, as most others have been, by a subversion of that liberty … Continue reading →

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Today in History: Nov. 1, 1897

Posted on November 1, 2007 by sheila

The Library of Congress (in its own separate building for the first time) opened its doors. Construction on the joint had been going on for nigh on 20 years … an immense project. Up until that point – the collection … Continue reading →

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Brokeback 1776

Posted on September 30, 2007 by sheila

hahahahahaha – hysterical parody of Brokeback Mountain using footage from the movie 1776 – I love when it gets all slo-mo and romantic. I practically know 1776 by heart (“But I burn, Mr. A!!” “So do I!”) – so the … Continue reading →

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The 4th of July, 1826

Posted on July 4, 2007 by sheila

It was the 50th anniversary of July 4, 1776. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had been invited to attend huge celebrations in honor of the anniversary, but due to illness – both had sent their regrets and also best … Continue reading →

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Today in history: March 4, 1789

Posted on March 4, 2007 by sheila

The US Constitution went into effect – and it was also chosen as the Inauguration Day for incoming presidents, which it was until the 20th century. George Washington’s first inaugural was actually on April 30, for various reasons – but … Continue reading →

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A Gentleman’s Library: Thomas Jefferson, 1777

Posted on December 28, 2006 by sheila

I have always loved this letter of Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith – from 1777 – where Jefferson gives a list of his book recommendations for a personal library. Of course you couldn’t buy all these books at once, Jefferson … Continue reading →

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Today in History: Nov. 1, 1897

Posted on November 1, 2006 by sheila

The Library of Congress (in its own separate building for the first time) opened its doors. Construction on the joint had been going on for nigh on 20 years … an immense project. Up until that point – the collection … Continue reading →

Posted in Founding Fathers, On This Day | Tagged | 38 Comments

Today in History: July 4, 1826

Posted on July 4, 2006 by sheila

It was the 50th anniversary of July 4, 1776. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had been invited to attend huge celebrations in honor of the anniversary, but due to illness – both had sent their regrets and also best … Continue reading →

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The Books: “Thomas Jefferson : A Life” (Willard Sterne Randall)

Posted on May 13, 2006 by sheila

Next Daily Excerpt: Next book in my American history section is Thomas Jefferson: A Life by Willard Sterne Randall Now I like Willard Sterne Randall’s books – I read his one on Hamilton, his one on Washington, and this enormous … Continue reading →

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The Books: “Thomas Jefferson : Author of America” (Christopher Hitchens)

Posted on May 12, 2006 by sheila

Next Daily Excerpt: Next book in my American history section is Thomas Jefferson: Author of America by Christopher Hitchens. I admit it. I’m a Hitchens addict. I am also a US History addict – so this book was a particular … Continue reading →

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The Books: “American Sphinx : The Character of Thomas Jefferson” (Joseph Ellis)

Posted on May 11, 2006 by sheila

Next Daily Excerpt: Next book in my American history section is American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph (“Yeah. I was in ‘Nam. DOH.”) Ellis. My favorite of all of his contemplative biographies – he really just hits … Continue reading →

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The Books: “Adams Vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800″ (John Ferling)

Posted on May 1, 2006 by sheila

Next Daily Excerpt: Next book in my American history section is Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 by John Ferling So whoo-hoo American Revolution, right? I’ll be studying it forever – it’s an endless topic, I love it … Continue reading →

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The Books: “The Adams-Jefferson Letters”

Posted on April 25, 2006 by sheila

And here is my next excerpt of the day. US history shelf. Next book in my American history section is the massive The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. The correspondence between those … Continue reading →

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