Tag Archives: American Phoenix

Oct. 19–How did Yorktown Change an African-American Spy?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Today, October 19, marks the 234th anniversary of the last day of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia. Enjoy this excerpt from my book, Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War. One … Continue reading →

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Culture Clashes in Alaska: Then and Now

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Controversy has erupted over President Obama’s plans to rename Alaska’s Mount McKinley, which Congress named after U.S. president William McKinley in 1917, to Denali, the Athabascan word meaning “the high one.” Alaska  has long been a mix of cultures, sometimes leading … Continue reading →

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Fencing for Back to School? Then and Now.

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Back to school is on the minds of many right now. No doubt parents are watching their kids get back into the groove of studying math, English, science, social studies, and other subjects. What about fencing? Though not a typical … Continue reading →

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What did Providence mean in 1776? What will it mean on TURN tonight?

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Providence is the name of Episode 8 in Season 2 of AMC’s TURN, airing tonight, Memorial Day. Today, Providence often means good luck. During the American Revolution, Providence was “a firm belief of God’s universal presence, and a constant attention to the influence and … Continue reading →

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What is a revolution? The heart of AMC’s TURN

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

“You don’t really believe in the king, you just believe the king is the safest bet. You need to choose between your pride and your family,” Mary Woodhull recently said in a confrontation with her father-in-law, Richard Woodhull, on AMC’s Turn, which … Continue reading →

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Why is Simcoe’s desire for love a secret behind AMC Turn’s Success?

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

“I’m a warrior, yes, but I am not a monster. There’s a heart beating inside me that wants the same thing you do. To love. To be loved,” British Captain John Simcoe said to Anna Strong on a recent episode of … Continue reading →

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Valley Forge on AMC’s TURN. Where is Waldo?

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Valley Forge is one of the settings of this season’s AMC’s hit show, TURN. A recent episode featured a scheme involving a threat against George Washington to take place in December 1777 before New Year’s Day in 1778. The timing of New Year’s Day reminded me of stories about … Continue reading →

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A name of distinction: Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, announced today the name of their infant daughter: Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, I immediately thought of another Princess Charlotte, the one who would have been queen instead of Queen Victoria. I first … Continue reading →

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Ben Tallmadge on AMC’s TURN Reminds me of the Marquis de Lafayette

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Jane Hampton Cook

Conspiracy against George Washington is one of the story lines on this season of AMC’s hit show, TURN. After watching the first two episodes, I recognized Ben Tallmadge’s frustration about George Washington’s seeming lack of concern about plots to replace him as commander-in-chief. Charles Lee, … Continue reading →

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iPhone 6–John Quincy Adams needed one 200 years ago today

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Jane Hampton Cook

Among the many attractive features of the new iPhone 6 is its speed. Some have touted it as “insanely faster” than the iPhone 5. Two hundred years ago today, on Oct. 7, 1814, John Quincy Adams could have used an iPhone … Continue reading →

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