In 1927, the American Friends Service Committee started to use a young, educated, black woman as a national speaker on racial issues. Crystal Bird Fauset was beginning on a journey that none had traveled before. It was a daunting task and full of apprehension.
About her experiences Miss Fauset wrote: "I went to the Conference at Swarthmore, but as I reached there a little late, I sat behind a curtain waiting my turn to talk, realizing the whole white audience was on the other side of the curtain. When it was time for me to meet the group, I stepped out and lifted the curtain that had separated that group from me, and as I did so I knew in reality that what I am to do this year is to lift the curtain that separates the white people and the colored people, to lift the curtain of misunderstanding that is so dividing us."
Ten years later, Crystal Bird Fauset became the first African American woman to be elected as a state legislator in America. She represented Philadelphia's 13th District. Later, she worked closely on race relations with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and New York's Fiorello LaGuardia.
If you go to her home at 5402 Vine Street, Philadelphia, you will find a plaque which reads:
"The first Black woman elected to a state legislature in the U.S., Fauset, who lived here, won her seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1938. She later served as a Civil Defense race relations advisor under Franklin D. Roosevelt."
Crystal Bird Fauset -- one of the treasures that makes the Keystone state so rich.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Hoagie
Nobody really knows where the name comes from, but we know for sure that Philadelphia is the cultural center of the Hoagie World. You need a nice Italian roll, a lot of lunchmeat and cheese, showers of lettuce, tomato, onions, peppers, vinegar, oil, dressing, etc.
And you have to know how to put it all together. It is a skill. Do it wrong and it may fall apart or become a soggy mess. Yuck.
Let's get back to the origin of this great sandwich because I'll bet that you absolutely know how it got name. Most people believe one of these explanations.
1. It was named after Hog Island or the workers on Hog Island to describe their big lunch sandwiches.
2. It is a corruption of the term "hokey-pokey man." Hokey-pokey men sometimes sold food and drink in much the fashion of a hotdog vendor.
3. It comes from the term "on the hoke." You were on the hoke if you needed a handout. New Orleans has a similar explanation for their po' boy sandwiches.
4. It is derived from a description of a sandwich as big as a hog's head. That would make it similar to the origin of cat's head biscuits, which are, naturally, big biscuits.
In any case, the great statesman Ed Rendell officially declared the hoagie to be the "Official Sandwich of Philadelphia."
Isn't that just like a politician? He tells us something that we already know, and he expects us to cheer like the dickens.
...
Sir Chelf the Search Elf searches the Internet for your amusement.
And you have to know how to put it all together. It is a skill. Do it wrong and it may fall apart or become a soggy mess. Yuck.
Let's get back to the origin of this great sandwich because I'll bet that you absolutely know how it got name. Most people believe one of these explanations.
1. It was named after Hog Island or the workers on Hog Island to describe their big lunch sandwiches.
2. It is a corruption of the term "hokey-pokey man." Hokey-pokey men sometimes sold food and drink in much the fashion of a hotdog vendor.
3. It comes from the term "on the hoke." You were on the hoke if you needed a handout. New Orleans has a similar explanation for their po' boy sandwiches.
4. It is derived from a description of a sandwich as big as a hog's head. That would make it similar to the origin of cat's head biscuits, which are, naturally, big biscuits.
In any case, the great statesman Ed Rendell officially declared the hoagie to be the "Official Sandwich of Philadelphia."
Isn't that just like a politician? He tells us something that we already know, and he expects us to cheer like the dickens.
...
Sir Chelf the Search Elf searches the Internet for your amusement.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Fort Necessity
George Washington was a great general, but he did not win every battle. He lost one, and it happened in Western Pennsylvania.
It was 1754. There were four distinct armed forces in America: English, French, Colonists, Indians. Lt. Colonel George Washington has just been given the job of building a road through the wilderness. The object was to create a supply line so they could establish a fort in the area around Pittsburgh.
Young Washington was 22. He had about 400 men under his command. Approximately, 100 of them were English soldiers. The rest were poorly trained colonists.
On May 28, 1754, Washington's men came upon some French soldiers. There was a skirmish. Ten French soldiers died. Twenty-one were captured. That was the first battle of the French and Indian War. It is known as the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
After that encounter, Washington went back to building his road, but he also decided to build a fort for security and for storage of their supplies. Legend has it that Washington named it Fort Necessity. Nobody is sure of that, but we do know that it was a hastily constructed structure that sure seemed like a necessity less than two months later.
On July 3, 1754, 700 French troops and Indians attacked the small fort. This became known as the Battle of Fort Necessity or the Battle of Great Meadows. Luckily for young Washington, it rained steadily throughout the day. The gunpowder on both sides became damp and unreliable. Consequently, although both sides fought fiercely, neither side could fight effectively.
Late that same day, the French proffered surrender terms to Washington. He considered his situation. He had about 400 troops of one kind or another. They French had 700. He didn't have dry gunpowder. He didn't have enough food to last out a siege.
Washington accepted the surrender terms. He was allowed to march his men out of the fort. They left the next day, July 4, 1754. The French burned the fort to the ground, and that was the end of it.
On a curious note, Washington may have surrendered too fast. The French records show that they did not have nearly the 600 troops that Washington thought. They had the same 400 as Washington, but only 100 of them were French. The French had the same trouble as Washington with wet gunpowder. Also, their Indian force was not attached permanently to them and may have left by the next morning.
By present estimates, the French could not have sustained any type of attack for more than two days. By then, they would be out of gunpowder and food, and they would have been outnumbered by Washington's men. But the young 22-year-old Washington did not know any of that, and so he surrendered.
Who knows what would have happened if he had fought on.
...
Pick your poison.
GOP Flag
Liberal Shout
.
It was 1754. There were four distinct armed forces in America: English, French, Colonists, Indians. Lt. Colonel George Washington has just been given the job of building a road through the wilderness. The object was to create a supply line so they could establish a fort in the area around Pittsburgh.
Young Washington was 22. He had about 400 men under his command. Approximately, 100 of them were English soldiers. The rest were poorly trained colonists.
On May 28, 1754, Washington's men came upon some French soldiers. There was a skirmish. Ten French soldiers died. Twenty-one were captured. That was the first battle of the French and Indian War. It is known as the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
After that encounter, Washington went back to building his road, but he also decided to build a fort for security and for storage of their supplies. Legend has it that Washington named it Fort Necessity. Nobody is sure of that, but we do know that it was a hastily constructed structure that sure seemed like a necessity less than two months later.
On July 3, 1754, 700 French troops and Indians attacked the small fort. This became known as the Battle of Fort Necessity or the Battle of Great Meadows. Luckily for young Washington, it rained steadily throughout the day. The gunpowder on both sides became damp and unreliable. Consequently, although both sides fought fiercely, neither side could fight effectively.
Late that same day, the French proffered surrender terms to Washington. He considered his situation. He had about 400 troops of one kind or another. They French had 700. He didn't have dry gunpowder. He didn't have enough food to last out a siege.
Washington accepted the surrender terms. He was allowed to march his men out of the fort. They left the next day, July 4, 1754. The French burned the fort to the ground, and that was the end of it.
On a curious note, Washington may have surrendered too fast. The French records show that they did not have nearly the 600 troops that Washington thought. They had the same 400 as Washington, but only 100 of them were French. The French had the same trouble as Washington with wet gunpowder. Also, their Indian force was not attached permanently to them and may have left by the next morning.
By present estimates, the French could not have sustained any type of attack for more than two days. By then, they would be out of gunpowder and food, and they would have been outnumbered by Washington's men. But the young 22-year-old Washington did not know any of that, and so he surrendered.
Who knows what would have happened if he had fought on.
...
Pick your poison.
GOP Flag
Liberal Shout
.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Jim Delligatti and his sandwich
The city was Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Jim Delligatti was tinkering with a new sandwich for his restaurant which was a franchise for a national chain. Business was good, but it was going to get even better.
Jim worked ceaselessly on his sandwich. He used the grill at his restaurant during the day, and at the close of business he continued his work on his stove at home. By trial and error, Jim perfected his creation.
Jim introduced his sandwich, the Big Mac, to the public in 1967. McDonald's took it nationwide the very next year.
The world's waistlines have not been the same ever since.
Big Mac — 1967, in Uniontown, by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchise holder, although credit is wrongly given to the city of Pittsburgh[citation needed]. (The Big Mac went nationwide in 1968).
Jim worked ceaselessly on his sandwich. He used the grill at his restaurant during the day, and at the close of business he continued his work on his stove at home. By trial and error, Jim perfected his creation.
Jim introduced his sandwich, the Big Mac, to the public in 1967. McDonald's took it nationwide the very next year.
The world's waistlines have not been the same ever since.
Big Mac — 1967, in Uniontown, by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchise holder, although credit is wrongly given to the city of Pittsburgh[citation needed]. (The Big Mac went nationwide in 1968).
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Daniel Boone is a Pennsylvanian
Daniel Boone was born in 1734 in the area around Reading, Pennsylvania. He lived there until he was about 16. His family were English Quakers. The Boones left Pennsylvania in 1750. They moved around for a while, and eventually, around 1752, they settled in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina.
Daniel Boone was not one to stay in one place for very long. He was a man of action who helped settle the American wilderness. He had many exploits in many states after he left Pennsylvania.
But there is no doubt that he had his start among the Quaker community in our heartland.
...
Word origins at Dogs of Words
.
Daniel Boone was not one to stay in one place for very long. He was a man of action who helped settle the American wilderness. He had many exploits in many states after he left Pennsylvania.
But there is no doubt that he had his start among the Quaker community in our heartland.
...
Word origins at Dogs of Words
.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Pennsylvania
You may have thought it was the Pennsylvania Polka or even Pennsylvania 6-5000, but it isn't. The State Song of Pennsylvania is the aptly named "Pennsylvania." It became the state song in 1990. Words and Music are by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim.
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence
filled the countryside.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
Freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow
glorify your name.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
That is a great song. Great sentiment. Great meaning.
I leave it at that.
........
LivingQuotes will help you live.
.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim.
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence
filled the countryside.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
Freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow
glorify your name.
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be,
filled with honor everlasting
as your history.
That is a great song. Great sentiment. Great meaning.
I leave it at that.
........
LivingQuotes will help you live.
.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Great PA-Connecticut War
Officially, it is known as the The Pennamite-Yankee Wars. What happened was that way, way back King Charles II gave the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania to two separate groups. First he gave it to Connecticut in 1663. Later, in 1681, he gave it to William Penn. Connecticut actually had the better claim and sent settlers to the valley several times. They were the ones who founded the town of Wilkes-Barre.
Each time they came, the hometown crowd chased them off or fought with them. Sometimes Connecticut won; sometimes PA did. The fighting went on for thirty years between 1769 and 1799. Some of the fighting was pretty mild. In one "war," only three people were killed.
The King of England tried to settle the dispute by ruling that the land belonged to Connecticut, but then the American Revolution happened, and the Continental Congress sided with Pennsylvania's claim. So the war dragged on with no end in sight. At one point, Vermont sent men to help Connecticut.
It ended in 1799 when it was agreed that the Wyoming Valley belonged to Pennsylvania, but that the Connecticut settlers could retain their lands.
And now everybody is happy. Yay!!!
...........
Do you like words? Do you like humor? The Dogs of Words are waiting for you.
Each time they came, the hometown crowd chased them off or fought with them. Sometimes Connecticut won; sometimes PA did. The fighting went on for thirty years between 1769 and 1799. Some of the fighting was pretty mild. In one "war," only three people were killed.
The King of England tried to settle the dispute by ruling that the land belonged to Connecticut, but then the American Revolution happened, and the Continental Congress sided with Pennsylvania's claim. So the war dragged on with no end in sight. At one point, Vermont sent men to help Connecticut.
It ended in 1799 when it was agreed that the Wyoming Valley belonged to Pennsylvania, but that the Connecticut settlers could retain their lands.
And now everybody is happy. Yay!!!
...........
Do you like words? Do you like humor? The Dogs of Words are waiting for you.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Harris County, Texas has a connection to Harrisburg, PA
John Harris, Sr., was a trader. He settled in the Harrisburg, PA, area around 1719. His business went well. In fact, it went so well that he bought up 800 acres of land and started a ferry service.
In 1785, his son, John Harris, Jr., developed plans for a town on his father's land. It was to be called Harrisburg in honor of his father.
TOTALLY WEIRD FACT: In 1786, Harrisburg was renamed Louisburg in honor Louis XVI for his help during the American Revolution. Harris threw a hissy fit. He was a major landowner, and he wasn't going to put up with the name change. He got his way by out-maneuvering his opponents in a business deal. What he did was he refused to sell land for the county seat until the name Harrisburg was reinstated. It was. Harrisburg began a rapid growth and by 1812 it was the state capital.
Moving forward in time a little, in 1826 the grandson of John Harris, Sr, proclaimed that the new town he had started in Texas was to be named Harrisburg. Some say he named it after himself. Others say he was honoring his granpappy. Still others say that he simply named it after the town that his daddy started up north. I like to think he was a good boy who put his family ahead of himself, so I say he named it after Harris, Sr.
Harrisburg, Texas, became a colorful city. It took a short turn as capital of Texas in 1835. The next year, 1836, two bigs things happened: 1) The surrounding county changed its name to Harrisburg and 2) Santa Anna burned the city into the ground.
After the fighting ended, the city of Houston sprouted up right next to Harrisburg. It grew rapidly. It had the advantage of not being totally destroyed by Santa Anna. Harrisburg never really recovered. In 1837, Houston, not Harrisburg, became county seat of Harrisburg County.
Two years later, 1839, they shortened the name to Harris County. It is now the largest county in Texas with about 3.5 million people. That also makes it the third biggest in America.
The city of Houston annexed the city of Harrisburg in 1926.
So there you go. Harris County, Texas, has a strong (family) history with Harrisburg, PA.
Cheesteaks and brisket for everybody!!!
................
If you want to know more about Texas, this is our sister blog: I Luv TX at IluvTX.com. Both blogs are carrying this particular post since it is about both states.
.
In 1785, his son, John Harris, Jr., developed plans for a town on his father's land. It was to be called Harrisburg in honor of his father.
TOTALLY WEIRD FACT: In 1786, Harrisburg was renamed Louisburg in honor Louis XVI for his help during the American Revolution. Harris threw a hissy fit. He was a major landowner, and he wasn't going to put up with the name change. He got his way by out-maneuvering his opponents in a business deal. What he did was he refused to sell land for the county seat until the name Harrisburg was reinstated. It was. Harrisburg began a rapid growth and by 1812 it was the state capital.
Moving forward in time a little, in 1826 the grandson of John Harris, Sr, proclaimed that the new town he had started in Texas was to be named Harrisburg. Some say he named it after himself. Others say he was honoring his granpappy. Still others say that he simply named it after the town that his daddy started up north. I like to think he was a good boy who put his family ahead of himself, so I say he named it after Harris, Sr.
Harrisburg, Texas, became a colorful city. It took a short turn as capital of Texas in 1835. The next year, 1836, two bigs things happened: 1) The surrounding county changed its name to Harrisburg and 2) Santa Anna burned the city into the ground.
After the fighting ended, the city of Houston sprouted up right next to Harrisburg. It grew rapidly. It had the advantage of not being totally destroyed by Santa Anna. Harrisburg never really recovered. In 1837, Houston, not Harrisburg, became county seat of Harrisburg County.
Two years later, 1839, they shortened the name to Harris County. It is now the largest county in Texas with about 3.5 million people. That also makes it the third biggest in America.
The city of Houston annexed the city of Harrisburg in 1926.
So there you go. Harris County, Texas, has a strong (family) history with Harrisburg, PA.
Cheesteaks and brisket for everybody!!!
................
If you want to know more about Texas, this is our sister blog: I Luv TX at IluvTX.com. Both blogs are carrying this particular post since it is about both states.
.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Hillbillies, potato chips and mushrooms
Pennsylvania has more people that are classified as rural than any other state.
We produce more potato chips than anybody else.
We grow more mushrooms.
We have more covered bridges.
We make more sausage.
We have more bakeries. (Probably because of pretzel production)
And believe it or not, we produce more scrapple than any of those other wannabe states.
So there, nyahh (I'm now sticking out my tongue. It's a visual thing.)
We produce more potato chips than anybody else.
We grow more mushrooms.
We have more covered bridges.
We make more sausage.
We have more bakeries. (Probably because of pretzel production)
And believe it or not, we produce more scrapple than any of those other wannabe states.
So there, nyahh (I'm now sticking out my tongue. It's a visual thing.)
Monday, August 18, 2008
PA had the first oilwell in the US
The first oil well in the US was drilled by Colonel Edwin Drake. The city was Titusville, PA. The year was 1859.
Colonel Drake was not the first to drill for oil in North America. That happened in 1858 in Ontario, Canada. And he was not the first to strike oil in the US or PA or even in Titusville. Others had struck oil while looking for other things, such as water. Finding oil instead usually meant that the well was abandoned.
Colonel Drake drilled where he did because Titusville was known for oil seeps and for other wells that had accidentally struck oil. Smart man. He struck oil at a mere 69 feet down.
Pennsylvania was producing oil way before Texas, Oklahoma, and California.
I Luv PA is found at IluvPA.com
Colonel Drake was not the first to drill for oil in North America. That happened in 1858 in Ontario, Canada. And he was not the first to strike oil in the US or PA or even in Titusville. Others had struck oil while looking for other things, such as water. Finding oil instead usually meant that the well was abandoned.
Colonel Drake drilled where he did because Titusville was known for oil seeps and for other wells that had accidentally struck oil. Smart man. He struck oil at a mere 69 feet down.
Pennsylvania was producing oil way before Texas, Oklahoma, and California.
I Luv PA is found at IluvPA.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
