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One Thing Leads to Another… The Set Up for Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty Speech…
April 24, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
We usually remember big, dramatic moments however, we rarely pause to reflect on the smaller events that set the table for that seismic shift on the horizon. On March 17, 1775, THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE covered an abundance of Colonial News starting on page one’s article on treason… then moving to a page 2 article covering petitions from the American Congress to the King. Amongst the 8 pages of small print, buried on pg. 3, is a report on a meeting of freeholders from Hanover County stating: “…they proceeded to the choice of delegates to represent them in colony conventions at the town of Richmond…the 20th of next month, when Patrick Henry, jun. and John Syme, Esqrs., were unanimously chosen…”. Just a passing mention really and barely a clue to even the most loyal reader. However, this election laid the groundwork for quickly approaching fireworks that would soon come from electing Patrick Henry. The meeting these newly elected men would attend was the historic Second Virginia Convention where Patrick Henry would give his famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech. One tiny spark in the Spring of 1775 poured gasoline on the lead up to the American Revolution.
Nothing New Under the Sun… Thomas Nast Calls Out Government Fraud…
April 20, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Thomas Nast’s 1875 wood engraving “This Tub Has No Bottom to Stand On,” published in Harper’s Weekly, stands as a searing indictment of Gilded Age graft. In the cartoon, blindfolded Justice hoists a washtub labeled “Public Corruption” by its handles. The metal rings binding it—each stamped with the names of notorious syndicates such as the Tammany Ring, Whiskey Ring, Canal Ring, Indian Ring, and City Ring—snap apart under the strain. The tub’s false bottom, emblazoned “Tammany Hall 1872,” plummets to the floor, spilling a cascade of documented crimes: bribery, internal-revenue frauds, Custom House swindles, Crédit Mobilier scandals, Treasury embezzlement, and Post Office graft. Nast, fresh from dismantling Boss Tweed’s machine, used the image to declare that these interlocking networks of political and corporate plunder possessed no legitimate foundation; once challenged by law or public scrutiny, the entire edifice collapsed, emptying its ill-gotten contents for all to see.
Nearly 150 years later, the United States still contends with systemic corruption that echoes those same structural weaknesses. Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index gave the country a score of 64 out of 100—its lowest mark on record—ranking it 29th globally and marking a continued slide amid partisan polarization and regulatory capture.
The parallel between Nast’s era and our own is therefore not merely stylistic but substantive. Both periods feature explosive economic growth, technological upheaval, and extreme inequality that lubricate the machinery of graft; historians routinely describe the present as a “second Gilded Age” precisely because corporate-political fusion and fee-based governance have reemerged in updated forms. Yet important differences exist: today’s watchdogs, independent prosecutors, and digital transparency tools act as faster-acting surrogates for Nast’s allegorical Justice, rapidly exposing and clawing back billions that once vanished into obscurity. The enduring lesson of the cartoon therefore persists undiminished: corruption’s tub still has no bottom to stand on. When accountability is applied—whether by cartoonist’s pen or federal indictment—the contents inevitably spill, reminding every generation that vigilance and impartial justice remain the only forces capable of dismantling rings that otherwise appear impregnable.
Mystery Solved … The Ancestry of Abraham Lincoln Clarified…
March 23, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · 1 Comment
We often discuss the legacy of our founding fathers and American heroes… highlights of their lives which leave an indelible impression on us as individuals or on the country we cherish. With all this focus, it is a shame we often miss the stories of their ancestry… the people and events that molded them into the larger-than-life figures we admire. Such is the case with Abraham Lincoln. Although we have all learned of his self-education in a one room log cabin and the deep loses he suffered as a young man, it wasn’t until 1925 that we were able to get a clearer picture of family members who came before and how their stories might have impacted the Lincoln. On February 8, 1925 The New York Times had substantial coverage of Abraham Lincoln’s grandmothers who had, until this point, not been confirmed. The paper goes on to say the stories of these ladies reveal. “Episodes of Heroism and Romance in the president’s Ancestral History”. Not unlike today, apparently, people at the turn of the century longed for a good paparazzi story as well.
Vanguard to Revolution…
March 20, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
One of the fascinating areas of historic newspaper collecting is the ability to see patterns over time. Last week, I found a Harper’s Weekly for a collector with a fascinating front page print that caught my attention and the caption triggered a deeper search. The Boxer Rebellion of the 1900’s included a group called “Vanguards”. Although familiar with this term, I was curious as to other times this concept had popped up throughout history. The following is an overview of my discovery…
St. Patrick’s Day…
March 14, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and with it comes a festive feel and a great reason to celebrate. Whether you are planning on a great meal at your local Irish Pub or some homemade Corned beef & Cabbage, there is something about St. Patrick’s Day that highlight’s Springs fast approach. So, enjoy your pint and grub, a good Irish movie (The Quiet Man is my favorite) and a walk down memory lane as you scan coverage of the oldest continuously running St. Patrick’s day parade in the world highlighted in the Mid-Week Pictorial & The New York Herald. Whatever your mode of celebration… May the Luck of the Irish be with you!
Arsenal of Freedom… America’s Leaders Work to Inspire…
February 16, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
The saying, “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme” is popularly attributed to author and humorist Mark Twain. Two weeks ago I wrote a post covering FDR and his famous “Arsenal of Democracy” speech. which was printed in several newspapers of the day, including The New York Times dated Dec. 30, 1940. Ironically, this week, I noticed something current with a Mark Twain history rhyming vibe. On January 5, 2026, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth began his, “Arsenal of Freedom” tour. One of the fascinating benefits of reading historic newspapers is the ability to see patterns and, in this case, to see leaders, separated by decades, using similar rhetoric to rally America to step up in an era where she is needs to be her brightest and strongest. Despite the years between them, both FDR & Sec. Hegseth work intentionally to inspire and while we have yet to see the outcome of the “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, our hope is that we will indeed stand strong and be a beacon on a hill.
FDR Fireside Chat… Building “The Arsenal of Democracy”…
February 2, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · 1 Comment
For those of you who have seen the most recent update of The Hall of Presidents located in Disney World, the following narration may sound familiar…
“FDR, paralyzed by polio, knows how to restore the faith of a people paralyzed by the great depression. He has found the inner strength his countrymen now need. He speaks to us like a friend, a neighbor. His optimism is contagious… his voice, perfect for the latest breakthrough medium, radio. He calls us to believe we have nothing to fear but fear itself… and we do believe.”
If you have seen this production, you can hear the narrator’s rich voice echo through the auditorium. Those living in 1933 could have listened to FDR deliver this powerful inaugural address live, and those who missed it, could have read it in its entirety the next day in the New York Times.
Years later, on December 29, 1940, FDR gave his, now famous, “Great Arsenal of Democracy” fireside chat, and again attempted to rally America to rise to her best and brightest. People could again read the entire speech in newspapers the following day, including the December 30, 1940, New York Times. Throughout American history, we see the importance of a president sitting and talking with their people as an important connection point for both the president and the populous… words of truth and encouragement from their leader who should put the citizenry ahead of themselves and hold what is best for the America as their highest priority. May that be the legacy of every president.
The Spirit of the West Returns… America Returns to Her Roots…
January 12, 2026 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Over the past several years, there has been a resurgence of the American cowboy archetype– evident in cultural phenomena like the TV series Yellowstone, rodeo events, and broader Western imagery—as a reflection of a deeper shift in the American spirit.
Confirming this point, in a March 2025 monologue, a well-known podcaster described this “comeback” as a positive change, saying, “something has changed in America, for the better.” He argued that the cowboy represents an innate, long-dormant quality in Americans: fierce independence, unyielding grit, and a commitment to honor, faith, and self-reliance. He reasoned that there is a Reawakening of Core American Values: saying the cowboy embodies “a handshake that means something” and “a promise you don’t break, because your word is the only thing you own.” This spirit includes gestures of respect like “taking your hat off for a woman” and saying “Yes, ma’am” and “No, sir.”
Long before radio talk show hosts extolled the virtues of the American cowboy, Harper’s Weekly captured the essence of these men in stunning imagery proving that in fact, a picture is worth a thousand words, whether printed or spoken on the radio.
The many views of Niagara Falls – inspirating wood-cut illustration…
September 26, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Decades ago, when my husband and I called Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, our home, we were immersed in a world where the Amish community was a constant presence – their simple way of life woven into the fabric of our daily existence. For fourteen years, we lived among the rolling farmlands, the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies, and the quiet resilience of a people who shunned modern conveniences. Yet, despite this proximity, we rarely partook in the activities that drew countless visitors to Lancaster County’s doorstep. We never sat at an Amish family’s kitchen table, savoring a meal steeped in tradition. We never climbed aboard a buggy for a leisurely ride through the countryside, nor did we ever step foot in Dutch Wonderland – that colorful amusement park that beckons tourists with its promise of family-friendly thrills.
If we could train ourselves to view our surroundings through multiple sets of eyes—through the curious gaze of a child, the weathered perspective of an elder, or the fresh wonder of a newcomer—what richness we might uncover. Imagine the billions of impressions we could gather, each one a thread in the tapestry of our experience, pulling us toward the next moment with a heightened sense of anticipation and urgency. To live this way, with eyes wide open to the infinite possibilities around us, would be to embrace a life brimming with discovery, where every step forward is an invitation to marvel at the world anew.
Deal of a Lifetime… Doubling America with the Louisiana Purchase…
September 22, 2025 by Laura Heilenman · Leave a Comment
Everyone loves feeling as if they stuck a great deal! Coming off of Amazon Prime Days, many Americans are probably pretty pleased with their purchases; however, none of our delight can compare with what former Special Envoy James Monroe must have felt as he finalized the deal for the Louisiana Purchase… 3 cents/acre… 828,000 square miles… expanding the breadth of his country … setting the stage to establish a “hands-off” foreign policy doctrine as president 20 years later. Men like Monroe, who influenced our country’s founding by sculpting our future in a series of steps, helped define who America would be some 250 years later. On November 2, 1803, the COLUMBIAN CENTINEL covered the purchase of the Louisiana Territory and the NILES’ WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Dec. 6, 1823 later covered Monroe’s Annual Message to Congress as President in which he detailed his now famous Monroe Doctrine. I love seeing steps in the sand leading from our county’s founding to our 250th birthday, detailed in newspapers of the day. Well done President Monroe! You found us a GREAT deal!
