American History


Feature Writer: Roger Saunders
Roger Saunders, Photo by Noelle Saunders

Discover the excitement of American History in compelling articles and blogs that span the Colonial era until 5 minutes ago! See Spanish, French, British, Dutch and Swiss Colonies become one nation. This fresh journey traces the nation’s birth on the Eastern Seaboard to its early 19th century childhood and political development. Follow its adolescence when civil war threatened her existence. See westward expansion to the Pacific spurred by Manifest Destiny. Study the 20th century adult years when the promising young ideals of freedom were severely tested. Watch 21st century America influence the world and see if this "greatest experiment in government" continues to be the brightest beacon of freedom. This is your safe haven to discuss social and economic issues and yes, even religion and politics!

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feature articles
Roger Saunders

Origin, Causes of the Vietnam War

In: Modern US History

Indochina conflict began with United States economic rebuilding of Japan. Political, social ideals of Communism; French Colonialism threaten post WW2 Southeast Asia. more...

Gunpowder Expedition May 2-4 1775

In: Colonial America

Choosing Liberty or Death, Virginia mobilized the militia. On April 21, Lord Dunmore raided the Williamsburg Magazine. Colonel Patrick Henry leads Hanover Militia. more...

Origin and Causes of World War One

In: Modern US History

German principalities, united with Prussia by Otto Von Bismarck were a fuse in a powder keg that Balkan volatility could light when unwise Kaiser Wilhelm II took control. more...

Redcoats Retreat April 19 1775

In: Colonial America

Earl Percy's mission to rescue soldiers retreating from the Battle of Lexington and Concord. New England Minutemen inflict heavy losses on 15 mile battle road to Boston! more...

Battle of Concord - April 19 1775

In: Colonial America

Redcoats leave Battle of Lexington and Concord is next. A shocked world heard that embattled farmers and Minutemen fired several rounds, killed 3 and stood for liberty! more...

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feature blog
Roger Saunders

Apr 30, 2008

Molly Pitcher

Many women earned this moniker during the American Revolution because they would take over the duties of bringing water to the battlefield.


Although it was many times to quench the thirst of the soldiers the most important reason to have a continuous supply of water was to keep the artillery (cannon) cooled off.

During the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, Mary Hayes was observed by private Joseph Martin supplying this valuable service. Sadly, her husband, one of the artillery officers was killed in battle. Unflinchingly Mary quickly stepped in to take over her husbands duties. Martin related this story about Mary's service in his diary,

"While in the act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet spread as far before the other as she could step, a canon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower portion of her petticoat. Looking on it with apparent unconcern, she observed that,

'It was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else' "

Private Martin then goes on to say that she just ...

"continued her occupation."

Isn't that par for the course for many of Mary's brave male and female descendants in this proud country. In the face of overwhelming sorrow with the death of a loved one, she not only had the courage to keep fighting for a cause that was greater than herself, she also found the grace and temerity to make light of that most dangerous situation.

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polls
Presidential Mud Slingers

In your opinion, which American Presidential election featured the greatest Mud Slingers of all time?

1800 - Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams
1828 - John Q. Adams vs. Andrew Jackson
1860 - Abraham Lincoln vs. John Breckenridge vs. John Bell
1992 - Bill Clinton vs. George H.W. Bush vs. Ross Perot
2004 - George W. Bush vs. John Kerry

Results of Presidential Mud Slingers poll

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