Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
As President Bush and other leaders from North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) nations meet in Romania
to consider expanding the number of nations comprising
the alliance, the topic of common defense is at issue.
George Washington is remembered for his Farewell
Address warning against entangling alliances. However,
that is not to say that Washington did not appreciate
a comprehensive plan for [...]
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
On this date in 1790, George Washington was starting his
second year as U.S. president under the Constitution.
This was also the date that year that John Tyler was born.
A fellow Virginian, Tyler would succeed William Henry Harrison
and become the nation’s 10th chief executive.
Source: A Book of Days in American History
Posted by: Dr. Sam Hoff, Delaware [...]
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
PARADE magazine recently published the annual list of the
world’s most despised dictators and despots. But for as
bad as these scoundraes are, they are wimps compared to
some of the mean, nasty, and brutish leaders who roamed
the Earth in Washington’s time. GW makes the following
observation about such tyrants:
“When a people shall have become incapable [...]
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
February 22, 1732 is the date of George Washington’s birth. Below are other interesting events or achievements which
occurred on that day in American history:
1630: Popcorn is invented by Quadequina within Massachusetts
Bay Colony
1631: First Thanksgiving is celebrated in Massachusetts Bay Colony
1819: Spain cedes its land in Florida to the United States
by signing the Florida [...]
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
The following post, offered in commemoration of Abraham
Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, is a quote by
Lincoln about George Washington:
“Washington is the mightiest name of earth–long since the mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral
reformation…To add brightness to the sun or glory to the
name of Washington is alike impossible. Let [...]
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
The political landscape during George Washington’s time was
much differernt than it is today, particularly as it relates
to the election process. There were no organized political
parties, though groups developed which later became
institutionalized following Thomas Jefferson’s victory in
the 1800 election. Further, there were no primaries,
caucuses, or party nominating conventions [...]
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
On January 29, 1795, President George Washington signed
the Naturalization Act, the first such law on citizenship
requirements. It provided that five years of residence was
necessary for citizenship and that any allegiance to
a foreign sovereign or a title of nobility must be renounced.
Posted by: Dr. Samuel B. Hoff, Delaware State University
Source: THE BOOK OF PRESIDENTS, [...]
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
As we commemorate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important to consider how our most
famous Founding Father viewed civil rights. Actually,
George Washington did not live during a period of equality for
all American citizens. In fact, he was born into a slaveholding
family, [...]
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered
his first State of the Union address to a joint session
of Congress at City Hall in New York City. GW and his
successor, John Adams, would continue the tradition of
personally appearing to deliver the annual message. However, the practice of an in-person State of the Union
speech was [...]
Friday, December 28, 2007
Posted by Samuel B. Hoff
SBH: What do you hope for in the new year?
GW: “Tranquil enjoyments.”
Source: Letter to Marquis de Lafayette, February 1, 1784
SBH: That may be difficult in such a busy year. First, there
is the upcoming presidential election.
GW: “In all free governments, contention in elections will take
place.”
Source: Letter to Jonathan Trumbull, March 3, 1797
SBH: Then there [...]