Category Archives: American History

Why Are Americans So Unhappy?

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

At a Christmas outing to the Biltmore estate near Asheville, North Carolina in 2018, I struck up a conversation with a man from the Middle East, likely Pakistan, but I cannot be confident, as I was not bold enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, political stance, real life tales, research, writing | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

December 27, National Fruitcake Day with a Celebration of Both Truman Capote and the Fruitcake

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, I know many of you do not fruitcake, but I am in the minority. I am one of those who still, for example, makes a Christmas pudding. I begin it on Stir Up Sunday, which was 24 November this … Continue reading →

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A “Christmas Eve” Tale from 1820

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Today, I share with you a “Christmas Eve” piece from the Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. The piece comes to us from Washington Irving. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., commonly referred to as The Sketch Book, is a collection … Continue reading →

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Friday, the 13th is Only Unlucky in Western Civilizations

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Friday the 13th is a Western civilization superstition. The 13th falls on a Friday, at least, once every year on the Gregorian calendar, but it can happen up to three times in year. 2024 had two Friday the 13th. “For … Continue reading →

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Why Is Thanksgiving Always on Thursday?

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

By federal law, since 1942, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November since 1942, but numerous other dates were designated in the past. Most believe that the origin of Thanksgiving came to us via the 53 Pilgrims … Continue reading →

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Veterans Day and the Great John Philip Sousa

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Today, we have a celebration of Veterans’ Day, a day originally called Armistice Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs Website tells us, “In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following … Continue reading →

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The Amazing Wisdom of Thomas Jefferson: The Man. The Myth.

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

As this coming Tuesday is election day, I thought I might share something of the man who largely wrote our country’s “Declaration of Independence.” I found this most agreeable as Jefferson’s holds a place on my family tree. Moreover, this … Continue reading →

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The Battle of the Bees: A Revolutionary War Skirmish Won by American Patriots and a Swarm of Bees

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

I live outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Battle of Bees plays an important role in the region’s history. Also known as the Battle of McIntyre’s Farm, the Battle of Bees was a Revolutionary War incident, which occurred on … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The “Roots” of Labor Day

Posted on September 2, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

For this Labor Day, I am sharing a variety of sources on the history of the Labor movement and the founding of Labor Day in 1894. CNN tells us, “Labor Day was first celebrated unofficially by labor activists and individual … Continue reading →

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Proxy Marriages: Valid or Invalid?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Upon occasion I have come across a plot line in a Regency historical novel where the couple is married by proxy. Unfortunately, such a marriage was not valid. Today’s interpretation of a marriage by proxy tells us that it is … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, Church of England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the UK, marriage, marriage customs | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Proxy Marriages: Valid or Invalid?