Today in Illinois and elsewhere, the Fourth of July is a holiday for boating, barbecues and fireworks. More than 180 years ago, the celebrations were more scripted and formal, though fireworks were always a constant. Back then, revelry on July 4 was an all-day affair, complete with processions, bands and a multitude of speakers. The […]
Tom Emery
Posted inSpecial Issues
A famous photo imprinted on the photographer’s life
The haunting pictures of the deadly riot at Kent State University in 1970 are among the most famous news photographs in American history. The incident left four dead and nine wounded in the bloodiest exchange in a college protest in the era. The clash was defined by the photographic image of a young girl, screaming […]
Posted inOpinion
One of Illinois’ best governors
Over the last century, Illinois has produced a few politicians of national prominence, usually for the wrong reasons. The one who achieved the most respect was Adlai Stevenson, a former governor who was the Democratic nominee for president in both 1952 and 1956. Stevenson, who was sworn into office as governor 75 years ago, on […]
Posted inOpinion
State museum was dumped in the Capitol basement
The Illinois State Museum is a source of pride in the Land of Lincoln, but, like everything else in the state, there are always critics. Some take their resentment to extremes. In 1887, the museum was thrown out of its quarters in the Illinois State Capitol during a dispute over space. Some of the museum […]
Posted inOpinion
Halloweens were more sinister a century ago
Today, Halloween is a mixture of revelry, as both trick-or-treaters and adults are in costume with happy pumpkins, and ghoulish skeletons for décor. A century ago, the holiday was more sinister – and violent. Halloweens of the late 1800s and early 1900s were dominated by “pranks” that were closer to felonies and misdemeanors. Vandalism ruled […]
Posted inOpinion
Thanksgiving 1918 – Gratitude after so much loss
Americans have endured some tough years of late, which is nothing new in our history. One example is 1918, when people found plenty of reason to celebrate Thanksgiving. Seventeen days before the holiday, the Armistice had been signed, ending World War I. But the nation was still in the throes of the influenza epidemic, which […]
Posted inOpinion
World War I defined the 20th century
It was called the “Great War” and the “war to end all wars.” Unfortunately for mankind, there were even greater, and more deadly, wars to come. Though overshadowed today by the Second World War, the effects of the first world conflict defined the remainder of the twentieth century. The war ostensibly began when Austrian Archduke […]
Posted inOpinion
Christmas was low-key in the Lincoln White House
Christmas in the White House in the 1860s was a far cry from the ornate displays of decor familiar to Americans today. During the Lincoln administration, the holiday was celebrated in low-key fashion. Celebrations of Christmas in those years were far less prevalent than today, and the White House was no exception. The first indoor […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Pandemic rocks the capital city
The influenza outbreak of 1918 brought the nation to a standstill, and the Springfield area was not immune. One hundred two years ago, the United States was swept into a global influenza epidemic that was called “one of the worst natural disasters in history.” As many as 50 million people died around the world, while […]
Posted inOpinion
When Christmas in Springfield was no big deal
Today, people often long for the simplicity of Christmases past, free of Black Friday, the endless hustle and the never-ending shopping lists. At Christmas in Springfield 170 years ago, there was little of that. Christmas in the 1840s and 1850s was no big deal. In many areas, New Year’s was more important. But there were […]
Posted inOpinion
Thanksgivings past in Illinois
Thanksgiving has been an official holiday in the U.S. since 1863, and the people of Illinois have found ways to celebrate the occasion ever since. Some of those long-ago Thanksgivings reflect both the past and future – and somewhat resemble modern celebrations. Church services were a big part of the day in some areas. In […]
Posted inOpinion
You think this weather’s bad? Illinois in the Depression was worse.
The Great Depression was a dark time in Illinois history, with mind-numbing unemployment, homelessness and wage losses. State residents also had to contend with horrific weather. Though climate extremes are a hot-button issue today, the weather of the 1930s was some of the most severe in American history, particularly in the Land of Lincoln. Unfortunately […]
