Jefferson and Macaroni

Thomas Jefferson is one of the most complex and controversial figures in American History.  His birthday of April 13th (also my grandmother's) always makes me want to discover something new about this fascinating man.  It is not just my University of Virginia brainwashing, but the fact that Jefferson is truly America's Renaissance man.  Jefferson made it a point to be a cultural connection between America and the world especially when it came to food.  In 1793 a macaroni mold from Naples made its was to Monticello.  He probably was not the first to introduce the food to America but he did popularize it with his dinner parties at both Monticello and the White House.  Guests would then return home and want the same food as that of the writer of the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/macaroni

 

Liberty or Death: An International Slogan

Patrick Henry's Mar. 23rd, 1775 speech is a right of passage for many Virginia students.  I have the vivid memory of learning the speech in the fourth grade.

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

The words not only inspired Virginians to join the American War for Independence, the same language would be used worldwide as the independence movements spread. Here are just some examples:

Eleftheria i thanatos (Freedom or Death) became the motto of Greece during their war for Independence from the Ottomans in the 1820s. 

Independência ou Morte! (Independence or Death) - Official Brazilian independence from Portugal in 1825

Patria o muerte (Homeland or Death) - 1898 Cuban Independence from Spain (after Spanish American War)

Sloboda ili smrt (Liberty or Death) - Macedonian independence from Yugoslavia in 1991

Libertad o Muerte (Liberty or Death) - In 1828, Uruguay won its independence from Spain.

Pesto chips

Students are always fascinated when going abroad with American food that has been "tweaked" in foreign countries.  One of our favorite games is spot the most unique chip or crisp to many nations (chips are french fries).  Some of the front runners include pesto and bratwurst.   The lesson that we learn is that it is not just Americans stealing ideas and making them our own, but everyone around the world wants a part of pop culture but need to make it fit their own tastes.  Click here for a great blog/website article that lists chip flavors by country in honor of National Potato Chip day on Mar. 14th.

It is hard to change cultures

Stubbornness is definitely a trait that the Bits passed on to the Yanks especially when it comes to measurements.  I was not aware until not too long ago that there was an organized educational push in the 70s and 80s to get the United States on the metric system.   By the way the metric system was officially adopted in France on Dec. 10, 1799 just as the revolution was coming to an end.

Well, I have no idea how many liters of gas my car will hold so this concept has not taken hold here.  I do not know why except to blame stubbornness and laziness, but the same can be said of the British with driving on the left and using the pound.  Now I do not blame them for keeping the pound instead of switching to the Euro (not a good idea to link your economy so directly with Southern Europe) but driving in the British Commonwealth is unbelievable.  One of the first directions we give students when traveling to England is look right when crossing the street.  It is also mind boggling that distance on road signs are in kilometers but the speed is in miles per hour.  At least I can drive a stick shift.

Strong Leaders Accept Fear

On this the 72nd anniversary of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Date Which Will Live in Infamy speech, I cannot help but try to connect him to the great leader of Nelson Mandela whose life the world is currently celebrating.  A common thread that I have seen on television and the internet is the public asking politicians and all leaders to learn from the life Mandela.  In my opinion, it has not been since FDR have we had a President so deeply appreciated as to make any connection to the role made by Mandela in South Africa.   Roosevelt grew up a wealthy white American while Mandela an oppressed villager, but through education both rose to completely change the path of their nation.  Both faced obstacles whether it was the confinement to a wheel chair or an actual prison, but both accepted fear and used it to inspire others. 

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Roosevelt

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/franklin_d_roosevelt.html#1Sj4GKZQewFESYBK.99

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/franklin_d_roosevelt.html#1Sj4GKZQewFESYBK.99

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Nelson Mandela


Click Here to listen to the Dec. 8th, 1941 speech (courtesy of the National Archives) made via the radio by Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Three and half hours later he would sign the declaration of war.

Remembrance Poppy for Veteran's Day

One of the most beautiful sites in all of Europe are the poppy field overlooking the Normandy Beaches in Northern France.  It was unbelievable to see the German bunkers jutting out of the sea of yellow and red.  The poppy is a global symbol applied to honoring the service of soldier's to their nation.  The poem below titled In Flanders Fields was written by Canadian physician, John McCrae at the time of the battle of Ypres during the First World War.  It inspired the American Legion to use the flower to honor the sacrifices of soldiers.  The American Legion Poppy program is still going strong today.  In Great Britain, Poppy Day, also known as Remembrance Day is recognized on the second Sunday in November to commemorate service men and women killed in action since 1914. Thank you to those who serve!

June 2013 photo taken of my students in Normandy

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.