1948: We remember President Truman and The Marshall Plan

By April 1945, VP Harry Truman had been on the job for a couple of months when he learned that President Roosevelt suddenly died.  

We remember him as a man who faced many challenges and met them well:  the two bombs against Japan that ended the war, economic and military aid to Turkey and Greece, the Berlin airlift (the candy bombers), the creation of NATO to resist Soviet expansion, and the war in Korea that cost over 30,000 U.S. lives.   

Another one of those challenges was the Marshall Plan, announced on this day in 1948.   

There were 17 nations that participated or recieved assistance through the Plan:   The UK, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Sweden, Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey and West Germany.    

To say the least, the plan saved Europe. Most countries were devastated and vulnerable to communist intervention.   The Plan, plus the US's commitment to defend European borders, gave Europe the time to get back on its feet.

Along the way, he surprised the experts by beating Governor Wilkie in 1948. 

By 1952, Preident Truman was so unpopular that he did not seek another term. He left the presidency with low approval ratings but is regarded today as a consequential president by most historians.

You can read more about The Plan in this great book about President Truman.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1948: The Louisiana Hayride radio program

In 1954, Elvis Presley made an appearance on The Louisiana Hayride, the radio program that went on the air on this day in 1948.   It introduced Elvis to millions listening all over the South.

The Hayride was about country but it did embrace the electric guitar, the instrument that would turn “hillbilly music” into rock and roll.

The Hayride shut down in 1960 but its legacy lives on.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

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Good Friday to all of my friends

Good Friday to all of my friends.  This is a good day to sit back and meditate about the meaning of "Holy Week" or "Semana Santa".

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember The Marshall Plan 1948

By April 1945, VP Harry Truman had been on the job for a couple of months when he learned that President Roosevelt suddenly died.   

We remember him as a man who faced many challenges and met them well:  the two bombs against Japan that ended the war, economic and military aid to Turkey and Greece, the Berlin airlift (the candy bombers), the creation of NATO to resist Soviet expansion, and the war in Korea that cost over 30,000 U.S. lives.   

Another one of those challenges was the Marshall Plan, announced on this day in 1948.   

There were 17 nations that participated or received assistance through the Plan:   The UK, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Sweden, Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey and West Germany.    

To say the least, the plan saved Europe. Most countries were devastated and vulnerable to communist intervention.   The Plan, plus the US's commitment to defend European borders, gave Europe the time to get back on its feet.

Along the way, he surprised the experts by beating Governor Wilkie in 1948. 

By 1952, President Truman was so unpopular that he did not seek another term. He left the presidency with low approval ratings but is regarded today as a consequential president by most historians.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Memories of "Semana Santa" in Cuba

Do any of you remember "Semana Santa" in Cuba?

As I recall, it was a very solemn week, from Monday to Easter Sunday.    I recall that Good Friday ("Viernes Santo") was a very quiet day with lots of time for mediation and prayer.  

Click here for our 2013 show with Carmencita Romanach, President, Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. & Carmen Valdivia, Member of Board of Directors, & Historic Committee Chair.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Listen to "Memories of "Semana Santa" in Cuba" on Spreaker.

Bondi out. Trump Irqan speech. NATO allies? 2005 Pope John Paul.

 Bondi out. Trump Irqan speech. NATO allies? 2005 Pope John Paul.

With friends like these?

With friends like these?:

Do the Europeans really want to end NATO?

Click to read:

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/04/with_friends_like_these.html

Memories of 'Semana Santa' in Cuba

Guests: Carmencita Romanach, President, Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc. & Carmen Valdivia, Member of Board of Directors, & Historic Committee Chair............Click to listen:

Memories of "Semana Santa" in Cuba.......

 

Listen to "Memories of "Semana Santa" in Cuba" on Spreaker.

Happy # 62 to Pete Incaviglia

We say happy birthday to Pete Incaviglia, who was born on this day in Long Beach, CA in 1964.

Pete jumped from Oklahoma State to the Texas Rangers in 1986 and hit 30 HR & 88 RBI as a rookie.   Pete became a real fan favorite on that Texas team that challenged the Angels to the AL West title.

He hit another 27 the next year and 124 HR in 5 seasons with Texas.   Pete was traded to Detroit and bounced around a few teams.  In 1993, Pete hit 24 HR with the NL champion Phillies.

As I recall, he hit long home runs.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1976: The year that Reggie Jackson was an Oriole

On April 2, 1976, the Orioles and A's swapped some big name players:   Reggie Jackson & Ken Holtzman to Baltimore and Don Baylor & Mike Torrez to Oakland.   It was big!

Reggie had a good season but the Orioles fell short in the AL East:  .277, 27 HR, 82 RBI & 28 stolen bases.      After the season, Jackson signed a big contract with the Yankees and you know the rest of the story.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.