A look at the life of Jose Marti with Fernando Hernandez, author

Guest:  Fernando Hernandez, author of "The Cubans:  Our footprints across America."   

His book traces the contributions that Cuban immigrants have made in the United States from as far back as the 1800s until the present time.

We will remember today the life and times of Jose Marti, who died on this day in 1895.  How significant is he to those of us Cuban Americans who grew up in the US?

Click to listen:

 

We remember the life and times of Jose Marti (1853-1895)

 

Guest:   Fernando Hernandez, Cuban American author....We remember the life and times of Jose Marti   (1853-1895)......and other stories....

1962: Brian Epstein started to manage The Beatles

 

January 24, 1962: Brian Epstein and The Beatles began the relationship that would see the group enjoy big hits in the UK in 1963 and then conquer the world in 1964. 

Epstein cleaned up their image and put them together with George Martin. Epstein died in July 1967.

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 Jean Stapleton (1923-2013)

We remember Jean Stapleton who was born on this in 1923.  She died in 2013,

In the early 1970s, or the first Nixon term, we use to hear about "the silent majority".  It was one of President Nixon's favorite lines, or a reference to millions of Americans who paid their taxes, lived by the rules and did not expect much from government.

Archie & Edith Bunker were the prototypical members of the silent majority.  They lived in a small home in the New York area.  Archie worked and Edith stayed home.  They had one cute daughter who was married to a liberal, or the "meathead".

Let's just say that "All in the family" was perfect for its time.  A show for the early 1970s!  Millions tuned in because they were watching themselves!

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.

The Battle of Waterloo 1815 with Barry Jacobsen

Another anniversary of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo with Barry Jacobsen....... http://t.co/4cYqwimLhJ

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) June 18, 2015

2013: The story of The Vikings with Barry Jacobsen & Leslie Eastman

The story of The Vikings......https://t.co/77ZdXWc8qK

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) July 28, 2017

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1588: The defeat of Spanish Armada with Barry Jacobsen, war historian

1588:      The defeat of Spanish Armada with Barry Jacobsen....click to listen....

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April 18, 1942: The Doolittle Raid with Barry Jacobsen

April 18, 1942: The Doolittle Raid............ 

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1455: The War of the Roses (ENGLAND'S REAL 'GAME OF THRONES')

Military history expert Barry Jacobsen reviews England's 'War of the Roses', dynastic wars fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal house of Plantagenent: the Houses of Lancaster and York. Biochemist Leslie Eastman will chime in with a look at the forensic analysis of the remains of the war's most infamous participants, Richard III, which have made the news recently.   Here is Leslie's post.   Click to listen:

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Hiroshima 1945: Truman and the bomb with Barry Jacobsen

We remember another anniversary of one of the most consequential days of the 20th century.

Back on this day in 1945, many people heard about Hiroshima on the radio or perhaps saw the scenes on one of those newsreels.

In the summer of 1945, President Truman was confronted with one of those decisions that only a president faces.  He looked at the horrible options and made the right call, as my friend Bill Katz explained.   The bomb stopped the war and the killing:

Of course we regret the lives that were lost, as we always regret death and destruction in war, but guilt is not required.  In what is sometimes called the  bloody arithmetic of war, the nuclear bombs reduced the ultimate death toll of World War II dramatically.  And as the late historian Paul Fussell, a soldier in the Pacific at the time of Hiroshima later wrote, recalling his thoughts when he learned of the atomic bomb's use, "We were going to live.  We were going to grow to adulthood after all."  For that we can be grateful.

We will probably hear the usual criticism of President Truman's decision, specially from those who were not alive back then nor have taken the time to study the real options on his desk.   In other words, President Truman was not choosing between war and peace but rather war and more war.   He also knew that there would be huge casualties on both sides, if he decided to invade Japan.

Today's anniversary reminds us that presidents often face awfully difficult choices.  In this case, President Truman made the right decision. 

Click to listen to our 2015 show with Barry Jacobsen about President Truman and the decision to drop the two bombs:

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.

The story behind "Victory in Europe Day 1945" with Barry Jacobsen

The story behind "Victory in Europe Day 1945" with Barry Jacobsen

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Religious movies about The Ten Commandments and Easter

Guests:   Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen join me for a look at religious movies made in Hollywood.   

Some of the movies that we discussed were "The 10 Commandments", "King of Kings", "The passion of Christ", "Song for Bernadette", "Man for all seasons", "Ben Hur", "Jesus of Nazareth" and others.

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

2017: Valentine's Day Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen.

2017: Valentine's Day Leslie Eastman and Barry Jacobsen....... https://t.co/3jHpUM59fl

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 7, 2017

 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.

Happy Veterans Day & other thoughts with Barry Jacobsen, military historian

Happy Veterans Day & other thoughts with Barry Jacobsen, military historian

We remember "Victory in Europe Day" 1945

On May 8, 1945, the Allies celebrated the end of the European War:

"On this day in 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine.The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark—the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany."

As we discussed with Barry, the end of the European war happened very fast.    Let's remember that D-Day was the year before and The Battle of the Bulge happened over the Christmas holidays.

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Click here for our chat with Barry Jacobsen, military historian:

Stalingrad 1941-44 with Barry Jacobsen

Guest: Barry Jacobsen, military historian and blogger.........we will look back at Stalingrad 1941-44............plus other stories..............

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.