Joan of Arc Captured

on May 24, 1430.  She was 19 years old.  After being transferred to the English in November, trial began on February 21, 1431.  For part of that she was kept in an iron cage.  On May 30, she was condemned.  Then she was burned at the stake.

Today we're beginning a new series Joan of Arc’s Trial and Execution by Jules Michelet: http://dld.bz/eYhUM

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->

Series on The Cold War Begins

This is the CNN/BBC television series that was aired years ago.  The complete series is no YouTube.  It is pretty overwhelming.  History Moments blog breaks it down episode by episode, day by day.  Episode 1 covers Communism until 1945. 

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->

Henry VIII and His Bid for Absolute Monarchy

I have been watching The Tudors television series on Netflix.  It reminds me of how bad Henry was.  Isn't it something that the 16th. century brought one of the worst rulers in history (Henry) and then one of the best (Elizabeth).

For more information here is <i>Cromwell Takes Charge</i> an installment from Henry Makes Himself Head of the Church of England by John R. Green: 

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->

What Happened to the Star Chamber?

The ancient role of the Star Chamber to try special cases circumvented the jury trial process.  In the lead up to the English Civil War this became controversial.  It became a means of securing convictions rather than justice.

For more information on <i>The Star Chamber’s Power in Past Reigns</i> here is an installment from The End of the Star Chamber by Henry Hallam: http://dld.bz/eF88N

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->

What Country Has Been in the Middle of Almost Every Major War Since Caesar?

The land now occupied by France was invaded by Julius Caesar.  Since then barbarians invaded, Charlemagne ruled, Vikings raided, Crusades were launched - and that's only to the early Medieval Age.  This is a work in progress.

Here's a list of some major wars France fought:   

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->

Fourth of July and Slavery

Seemingly every time one wants to say something good about America, someone pushes back with, "What about slavery?"

Slavery was America's original sin.  On July Fourth the United States of America not only declared its independence but based its independence on basic principles of universal freedom.  Civil rights for all was not achieved after the Revolution; it was not achieved after the Civil War; indeed it was not even achieved in the 1960's but it was implicitly made a goal in the Declaration of Independence.

The goal was set.  We are still striving towards that goal.  That is why we should continue to celebrate July 4th. despite slavery.

First Hot Air Balloon Flight

Time: 5 pm, August 27, 1783; Place: Paris

In the morning the Champ-de-Mars was lined with troops, every house to its very top, and every avenue, was crowded with anxious spectators. The discharge of a cannon at 5 P.M. was the signal for ascent, and the globe rose, to the great surprise of the spectators, to a height of three thousand one hundred twenty-three feet in two minutes, where it entered the clouds. 

For more information on <i> Going up in the Hot Air Balloon First Time Ever</i> here is an installment from First Balloon Ascension by Hatton Turner: http://dld.bz/eETg3

The series began today.

and

Don't forget The Basic History Library (free). ------------->