One of our revered national symbols–the Great Sea! of the United States–was impressed upon an official document for the first time Sept 16, 1782 … 200 years ago. The Great Seal is the official impression affixed to foreign treaties, presidential proclamations, and other important documents. It is assigned to custody of the Secretary of State.… Continue reading Great Seal 200 Years Old Today
Category: History
How many presidents have visited Provo?
Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey’s Oct. 21 visit prompts these questions: How many United States presidents have visited in Provo and Utah County? How many vice presidents? We’re not so sure about the vice presidents. Richard Nixon was here for a speech at Brigham Young University Oct. 17, 1958 while he was vice president to Pres.… Continue reading How many presidents have visited Provo?
Mount Charming by Any Name
Let’s take a few minutes to get better acquainted with a storied and many-named mountain, part of the Wasatch Range which rims Utah Valley. I refer to the green, forested landmark mountain fronting the valley between Maple and Spanish Fork Canyons, easterly from cities of Mapleton and Spanish Fork. Father Escalante named it Sierra Bonita (mountain beautiful)… Continue reading Mount Charming by Any Name
Quiz on American First Ladies
A friend suggested I do a column on American First Ladies patterned after my Presidential quiz of a few months ago. Why not? We ought to know more about the wives of our presidents. I have been impressed with this thought ever since my family viewed the statued models of the First Ladies at the… Continue reading Quiz on American First Ladies
U.S. Anthem Debate Continues
Probably no single patriotic song has provoked so much controversy, involving both lyrics and music. But “The Star – Spangled Banner” continues to be sung and performed with pride after 51 years as our national anthem and over 167 years in the country’s music history – ever since the words were written by Francis Scott… Continue reading U.S. Anthem Debate Continues
Local Residents Recall Aviatrix
Our column on Amelia Earhart prompted a call from veteran Provo aviator Mike Jense with this interesting tid-bit of local history: The famed American aviatrix once force-landed her small plane near Eureka and spent a week in that Central Utah city during the wait for repairs. As we searched out the facts, partly though old… Continue reading Local Residents Recall Aviatrix
Gratitude Still in Style
It’s Thanksgiving Day – and Americans throughout the world will pause to express thanks and commemorate the occasion in traditional U.S. style. In recent times, the enlargement of the Christmas shopping season has threatened to engulf Thanksgiving. Indeed, Yule decorations often are in place and Santa Claus has made his initial bow well before the… Continue reading Gratitude Still in Style
Pioneer Day in Utah – ‘Oh Beautiful for Pilgrim Feet
Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness These words from the second stanza of Katherine Lee Bates’ patriotic song “America the Beautiful” seem to catch the pulse and beat and spirit of the pioneers of this country’s frontiers. Miss Bates, a native of Massachusetts and late… Continue reading Pioneer Day in Utah – ‘Oh Beautiful for Pilgrim Feet
Two Provo Tabernacles TeII 100-Year History
The historic Provo Tabernacle is approaching a milestone – the centennial of the start of its construction in the spring of 1883. And off the press in time to herald the anniversary will be a new book entitled, “Provo’s Two Tabernacles and the People Who Built Them.” The 200-page volume illustrated by more than 70 pictures is… Continue reading Two Provo Tabernacles TeII 100-Year History
We Remember The Alamo
The Alamo at San Antonio Tex.,. ancient mission-fort now a historic shrine, was in the news last week when three self-styled “revolutionaries” scaled its walls and hauled- down American and Texas flags. The incident ended as police arrested the trio while an angry crowd of 200 shouted “Get them down!” You couldn’l blame Texans (or… Continue reading We Remember The Alamo