Notes From a Young Historian

This past weekend a few friends and I took a trip to San Antonio, Texas. One of our first stops was at the Mission of San Jose. Upon arrival the first structure we saw was the San Jose church placed at the heart of the mission, which rose higher than any structure inside of the mission including the surrounding fort walls. A layout similar to that of Old World Spain, which the Spanish friars had intended to replicate. The San Jose Church with its intricate design, and imposing height, is impossible to be described as anything less than impressive. The Mission of San Jose was established in 1720 named after Saint Joseph, and restructured in the 1930's by the Works Progressive Administration. (Left): Up close picture of carving detail on the main entrance of the Mission of San Jose Church ( Right): Image of the chipping paint on the bottom section of the bell tower In the New World Spanish missions tended to take on a likeness of other Spani

As many of you already know 2017 marks the hundredth year since the United States entered into World War I. As a way to commemorate this anniversary the Library of Congress Online Exhibit published a variety of primary source documents originating during the Great War. I chose two pictures to show you that occurred during the Meuse-Argonne battle. The Battle of Meuse-Argonne was responsible for the Allies shift to victory during the Great War, in a series of offensive attacks brought by the combined French and U.S forces, as they pushed their way through the German Army defenses. From the start of the battle on September 26, 1918, until the end of the war a total of 26,277 Americans died resulting in the deadliest battle in U.S history. My favorite account in the online exhibit was that of Irving Greenwald, a first class soldier in the U.S. Army who kept a journal explaining his experiences while in the Meuse-Argonne Battle. In his writings G

In a thrilling tale almost fit for a drama on the big screen Destiny of the Republic a Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President , written by Candice Millard is story that follows the lives of historic characters present during the time of the presidential assassination of James A. Garfield. Millard takes an interesting approach in telling the historic tale by writing on the sides of James A. Garfield, and his assassin Charles Guiteau. Intertwined within the book are also the stories of inventory Alexander Graham Bell, British surgeon Joseph Lister, and American surgeon William Bliss. The beginning of Destiny of The Republic Candice Millard mentions Garfield's early years leading up to the election of 1880. One reason why American citizen greatly admired Garfield was due to the fact that he had humble beginnings which served as a symbolism of American growth and prosperity. Growing up poor, fatherless and the youngest son of homesteaders, Garfield