“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” -Nelson Mandela
The world is mourning the passing of one of the greatest politicians and philanthropists, Nelson Mandela. A man that went from a prisoner for 27 years to South Africa's first black president. Along the way, he was the driving force to liberate his country. He never wavered in his pursuit of democracy even though he knew it would never be perfect.
Mr. Mandela will be not only be remembered as a person that changed the government of South Africa, but also had an affect in the hearts of many. He stood for and worked for hope and opportunity for all. The foundation of his work was learning. He wanted everyone despite their race, economic status, and religion to have access to educational opportunities. He wanted the doors to learning to be open in South Africa and around the world.
It is now our job to uphold the values of Nelson Mandela. He has passed on the torch.
May Mr. Mandela rest in peace.
Jessica
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Happy Repeal Day!
Who likes to have an occasional drink to unwind from a hectic day or when out with friends ? I know that I enjoy a glass of wine or a tasty cocktail from time to time.
But there was a time in U.S. history that having a drink was illegal. Prohibition began over 90 years ago, and it ended on this day in 1933.
In the early 19th century, the movement for the prohibition of alcohol began when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these temperance organizations had become a powerful political force. They campaigned on both the state and federal levels for a national liquor abstinence. The banning by several states of the manufacture or sale of alcohol influenced the federal government to do the same. The 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification in December of 1917. The amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification by January of 1919. Prohibition officially take effect on January 29, 1920.
To carry out the intent of the 18th Amendment, Congress passed the Volstead Act or the National Prohibition Act in October 1919. This was done over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act was responsible for the creation of the special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. Although the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers, law enforcement agents could not do much to slow the flow of booze. During this time, organized crime flourished in America. Famous large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone and Tom Dennison built extensive criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts. Speakeasies were also numerous and popular during the Prohibition years.
Prohibition began to loose it's support in the early 1930s. It failed to fully enforce sobriety and it cost the government billions of dollars. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an era of prohibition to an end. Some states chose to stay dry for a period of time, and to this day there are still dry counties throughout the U.S..
Cheers to our freedom to toast !
Jessica
In the early 19th century, the movement for the prohibition of alcohol began when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these temperance organizations had become a powerful political force. They campaigned on both the state and federal levels for a national liquor abstinence. The banning by several states of the manufacture or sale of alcohol influenced the federal government to do the same. The 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification in December of 1917. The amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification by January of 1919. Prohibition officially take effect on January 29, 1920.
To carry out the intent of the 18th Amendment, Congress passed the Volstead Act or the National Prohibition Act in October 1919. This was done over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act was responsible for the creation of the special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. Although the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers, law enforcement agents could not do much to slow the flow of booze. During this time, organized crime flourished in America. Famous large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone and Tom Dennison built extensive criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts. Speakeasies were also numerous and popular during the Prohibition years.
Prohibition began to loose it's support in the early 1930s. It failed to fully enforce sobriety and it cost the government billions of dollars. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an era of prohibition to an end. Some states chose to stay dry for a period of time, and to this day there are still dry counties throughout the U.S..
Cheers to our freedom to toast !
Jessica
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Just The Beginning !
I am totally a history nut, and I always have been ! It was a subject that I excelled in all through my school years as a child and adolescent. When it came to college, I dabbled in a variety of degree fields. It was not until my second year of attending the College of Albemarle in North Carolina that I decided that I wanted to major in history education.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in History at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. While attending the university, I had the pleasure of both working and interning at the Museum of Albemarle. It is a great museum that is full of the rich history of northeastern North Carolina. If you ever go to the Outer Banks, it is totally worth the stop to visit !
I have since worked for Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, Maryland as a Museum Educator. It is a colonial seaport that dates back to the late 17th century. It is very close to my hometown, and I have actually traced some of my paternal ancestors back to the town.
Which brings me to present day .........I am now working for the public school system and going to grad school to get my Masters of Arts in Teaching. My passion is to teach U.S. History, but I will teach about any secondary history class that there is. You can't be choosey when trying to get your foot in the door as a history teacher. I just want to be able to share my love of history with my students, and maybe even ignite a passion for it in one of them !
As the wise history professor, Mrs. Parker, told our class, " history is like one big soap opera!" And if you really think about it, it is ! You have people living lavishly, bloody fueds, extramartial affairs, mysterious deaths, etc.......... All these things are what we would see watching a great daytime soap !
So, I have decided that I will start blogging on how I view history with stories about the people, events, and places that make it all up.
I hope you will stay tuned in ! I promise to make it interesting ;)
Jessica
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