Wake Up Call

On Black Monday, October 28, 1929, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined nearly 13 percent. It set the stage for what became known as the Great Depression. The US economy would survive, of course, and other stock market crashes would occur. What does this teach us about being good stewards of what we have? While … Read more "On Black Monday"

Today is Columbus Day, although Christopher Columbus didn’t sight land in the Americas on a Monday. His decisions and their consequences should cause us to think about this day. And what happened to make it a recognized day on Monday is a story worth pondering. Download the podcast here!

On this, the fourth Monday in September, which in 1690 was September 25, the first American newspaper was published. A single edition of “Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick,” appeared in Boston, Massachusetts. However, British authorities considered the newspaper offensive and ordered its immediate suppression. So, it had only one edition, one single publication. Why the authorities suppressed … Read more "America’s First Newspaper"

Today is Constitution Day. It was on the third Monday of the month, September 17, 1787, that delegates from twelve states  to the Constitutional Convention voted unanimously in Philadelphia to approve the proposed  U.S. Constitution. The delegates’ courage and tenacity can inspire us as we face life’s daily challenges.  Download the podcast here!

Not knowing what tomorrow, or this afternoon, holds for us, should encourage us to live each moment as a gift. Download the podcast here!

Why do we have Labor Day, anyway? The history behind the Labor Day holiday is far more complex and dramatic than most might realize, and knowing that may help us observe it in a more thoughtful and dare I say, relaxing way. Download the podcast here!

You might say Hitler’s “open door” policy was to kick in the door, storm in, and take over the room and the house. The challenge for us is that it’s not always easy to see evil when it’s coming. We often don’t see the danger until the crocodile is upon us, and then, sometimes, when … Read more "Hitler’s “Open Door Policy”"

It happened on Monday, the third Monday in August, August 21,1911, when the most famous painting in the world was stolen. Only it wasn’t the most famous painting back then. That all changed on August 21, 1911, the third Monday in August. What about you? You, too, are a work of art. Don’t miss the … Read more "Missing the Mona Lisa"

On the third Monday in August, August 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton admitted to an “improper relationship” with White House Intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton became the first sitting president to testify before the Office of Independent Counsel as the subject of a grand-jury investigation. Clinton was able to rebound and move forward, although the situation would follow him … Read more "Surviving Shame"

Fifty years ago, on August 9, 1971, the second Monday in August, Satchel  Paige was the first Negro League player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. But he wasn’t the first Black American athlete inducted into the Hall of Fame. Why then was he inducted? What were the Negro Leagues, and why did they … Read more "Satchel Paige vs. Jim Crow"