Today is the Feast of Saint Patrick (17 March)

March 17, 2025 Mark Taylor Leave a comment

St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.
Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and St. Patrick, Goleen, County Cork, Ireland
Photo:Andreas F. Borchert/Wikimedia

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and known for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He was born in 390 A.D in Britain and raised by a Christian family. However he was not much interested in God and at the time was illiterate. When he was 16, he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd on a hillside. All alone except for his sheep and captors. he began to cry out to God for rescue him. He had a dream in which God revealed himself and that he would be going home.

Risking his life, he boarded a ship for Britain where he returned to his family. He was welcomed back but realized that he had been transformed by God. He entered a monastery to pursue his calling as a Catholic priest. As a result of his education, he came to understand Holy Scripture and impressed his peers and superiors with his character. He would be made a bishop in due course. Nearly three decades after this slavery in Ireland, he felt a call from God that he had to return to Ireland and spread the word of Jesus to a people who had become lost. This was no easy journey for him since travel was difficult but he faced hostility from those who opposed him trying to convert people away from paganism. Patrick was ready though to face the trials that might take his life (he was attacked and beaten by thugs and Irish royalty disdained him) and persevered in proclaiming the Gospel and training converts.

His courageous leadership and his crisscrossing the countryside paid off as thousands and more would be converted. Churches were being established and he was training those to shepherd the church after he was gone. He would die on March 17, 461 A.D. He has been venerated as a saint and patron saint of Ireland since then by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches.

In Ireland it is a solemnity and thus a holy day of obligation. It is also a cultural day as well to celebrate Ireland. Traditionally many in Ireland will wear shamrocks, wear green, attend Mass, watch parades, have a special breakfast and dinner, and of course celebrate by having a beer in their favorite pub (or outside due to the crowds). It has been a public holiday in Ireland since 1903. Since the feast does fall within Lent and is a solemnity in Ireland, it is permissible to eat foods normally excluded during this time (or any food you have selected to give up). Outside of Ireland though, it is not and local bishops will offer guidance. Usually the bishop will allow those who wish to celebrate to be excused from Friday obligation of fasting but may require you to fast on a different day in the week or the following one.

Fun Fact (or perhaps not)

Many people associate Corned Beef and Cabbage as an Irish dish for St. Patrick’s Day (please do not say St. Paddy’s Day!). However it is not an Irish dish but an Irish-American one. In Ireland of the past, land was precious due to the English seizing lots of it for themselves (and putting many Irish people into indentured servitude in the American Colonies). So people did not have lots of land needed for cows to graze on (you might have a cow for milk but that would be it). Pigs became popular because they require no grazing, can be easily penned, and thus cheaper to keep. So while possibly in the far past they used beef, pork became the preferred meat for many meals and especially for St. Patrick’s Day. When Irish migrated to the United States much later (due to the famine), they discovered corned beef when they saw it being used in Jewish delicatessens. So like dumping turnips for the American pumpkin for the Jack o’ Lantern, corned beef became popular amongst many Irish people since it was easily available unlike in Ireland. And thus was born the now popular corned beef and cabbage amongst Irish Americans.

In Ireland, Paddy’s Day (as it is called there), corned beef and cabbage is rarely eaten (except in places that cater the American crowd). Most will have the Irish Fry (bacon, eggs, fried tomatoes, black pudding, and brown soda bread). Tea is incredibly popular in Ireland so it will be at every meal as well. Additionally, scones will be served during the day. For dinner it is often a beef pot roast (roast met with mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and gray). Another popular meal might be Irish bangers and mash as well. Apple tarts or other treats will be served as well. There are many regional variations as well .

The Minstrel Boy

Probably one of the most favored Irish tunes is The Minstrel Boy. Here is a version from Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Wounded, Following it is a more traditional version. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Sources:

“Who Was St. Patrick? – Celebratation, Ireland, Catholic | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 4 Mar. 2024, www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrick.

“St. Patrick – Saints and Angels – Catholic Online.” Catholic Online, www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89.

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Patrick. www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm.

Titanic

Friday Titanic News (14 March 2025)

March 14, 2025 Mark Taylor Leave a comment

“MSN,” Scientists Finally Found the Ship That Warned the Titanic About the Massive Iceberg Ahead, last modified March 7, 2025,

The only picture of the Marconi radio room onboard the Titanic. Harold Bride is seated at his station. Photo was taken by Father Francis Browne, SJ, while aboard Titanic.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons

Throughout the day, the ship’s wireless radio operators kept buzzing with iceberg warnings. One of these ships was the SS Mesaba. But the warning never reached the control center. Six years after the Titanic tragedy, the British merchant steamship SS Mesaba was blasted by a German submarine’s torpedo during World War I, killing 20 people on board. Mesaba, like Titanic, was built in Belfast. On September 1, 1918, while it was making a convoy voyage from Liverpool to Philadelphia, as per Coflein, a German boat hurtled a torpedo at it. While scientists were aware that the wreck of Mesaba existed, they were unsure of where exactly it sank.

“Woman Who Survived the Titanic Had to Answer for Her Actions During the Tragedy,” MSN, last modified March 4, 2025,

The slideshow concerns Lady Duff Gordon. Worth a look if nothing else for the pictures.

Annabel Stock, “Sussex Author’s New Book on the Titanic’s Captain and a Murdered Spy,” The Argus, March 2, 2025,

Titanic Captain Edward J Smith, 1911
Author unknown. Published after sinking in 1912
Public Domain/Wikipedia Commons

Titanic Legacy: The Captain, The Daughter and The Spy, by Telscombe Cliffs author Dan Parkes, tells the untold story of Edward John Smith, the captain lost during the Titanic disaster, and his only daughter Helen Melville who married a wealthy stockbroker, Sidney Russell Cooke. Spying on Russians in England during the early 1920s, Sidney was working for MI5. After his cover was blown, he was discovered mysteriously shot through the stomach in his apartment in London in July 1930. “When I started to delve into it, I discovered that firstly Sidney was in a relationship with the famous Cambridge professor of economics John Maynard Keynes. And then even more surprising that he had been involved in a failed MI5 mission to track Russians in England. “His death in July 1930 was assumed – especially as he was a stockbroker during a market crash – to be suicide, or as the inquest ruled, accidental. But my investigation reveals there were other factors to consider.”

Kimberly Miller, “The Huge, Historic, SS United States Cruised by Palm Beach County. Where Is It Headed?,” The Palm Beach Post, February 27, 2025,

But the ship, which is distinctive for its 65-foot funnels that vented smoke and exhaust away from passengers on deck, was retired from active service in 1969 and languished at a South Philadelphia pier for nearly 30 years. A dispute between pier owners and the SS United States Conservancy meant it had to vacate its longtime resting place. Okaloosa County bought the SS United States for $10 million in October, with plans to sink the ship to create an artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach and open an land-based museum. The ship left earlier this month for its estimated two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama.

Sonia Rincón, “Liberty Science Center Recreates the Last First-class Supper Served on the Titanic,” ABC7 New York, February 27, 2025,

Titanic Lunch Menu 14 April 1912
Photo: AP

A string trio welcomed guests at a dinner meant to sound, look, and taste just like it did for first-class passengers on the most famous ship never to make it to New York. “I thought it’d be wonderful to stage ‘The Last Supper,’ so to speak, on the Titanic. The first-class passengers had this incredible multi-course meal that probably lasted four or five hours to maybe just a few minutes before they hit the iceberg,” said Paul Hoffman President & CEO of the Liberty Science Center. The updated version of the menu mimics the dishes and flavors of the original first-class meal. Recreating it entirely would have required some guesswork.”A lot of it, over 100 years later needs some interpretation. They’re just dishes that we don’t make anymore, that we don’t eat anymore, and some of which we’d never really heard of,” said Chef Gail Simmons.

“Watch the Only Surviving Footage of the Titanic Before Its Doomed Voyage,” MSN, last modified February 24, 2025, accessed March 12, 2025,

Titanic at the docks of Southampton, 10 April 1912
Unknown Author
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

According to IrishCentral, this video includes the only surviving genuine footage of the RMS Titanic before it embarked on its first and final voyage. The opening clip was filmed in Belfast in Northern Ireland, where the massive ship was constructed. After the footage was shot, Titanic left for Southampton, England, where it remained before setting sail for New York City on April 10, 1912. Famously, the ship never made it to its destination: It struck an iceberg and sank just four days into its maiden voyage.

ITV, “Welsh Coal Retrieved From Titanic Wreck Displayed at Exhibition,” ITVX, last modified February 21, 2025,

Welsh coal retrieved from the wreck of the Titanic will be among a collection of artefacts on display at UK’s largest travelling Titanic Exhibition. (Video)

Promotional illustration in color by White Star Line to show how luxurious the facilities were for First Class Passengers. This was used in a postcard to depict the Al la Carte Restaurant on Titanic
Circa 1911
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
r, launched by White Star Line, for advertise the luxiurous facilities for First Class passengers on board the new largest steamer in the World: The RMS Titanic. This postcard depict the First Class Á La Carte Restaurant on board the ship.

Ashley DiMella, “Crushed Titanic Chandelier That Hung in First-class Smoking Lounge Heads to Museum,” Fox News, last modified February 19, 2025

One special item is on display at “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is capturing the attention of guests. A chandelier that hung in a smoking lounge for first-class passengers will be on display after sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic for decades, NJ.com reported. It will be included in an exhibit that has nearly 250 artifacts by RMS Titanic, Inc.

Suggested Titanic Reading

Behe, G. (2012). On board RMS Titanic: Memories of the Maiden Voyage. The History Press.

Brewster, H. (2013). G ilded Lives, Fatal Voyage: The Titanic’s First-Class Passengers and Their World. National Geographic Books.

Titanic News Channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

History

Remembering the Balvano Train Disaster (2-3 Mar 1944)

March 3, 2025 Mark Taylor Leave a comment

One of the deadliest train disasters in railroad history occurred during World War II in Italy when over 500 people would suffocate to death. No one was held accountable for it.

Balvano station master points the direction by which the train left. The tunnel shown is not the Armi tunnel, which is two kilometers further.
3 March 1944, Unknown Author
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

It began simply enough. On the evening 2 March 1944 freight train 8017 left Salerno, Italy to a rural area south of the city. This required it to pass through the Galleria delle Amri Tunnel Pass just outside Balvano. Although a freight train, it was common for a lot of civilian and military people to hop on the next convenient train. By the time the train had reached Balvano, the last train stop between the two long tunnels in the Apennines Mountains. it had 650 people aboard. It reached the stop near midnight and had to stop for maintenance.

Books on Railroad Disasters

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At ten minutes to 1 am, the train began its ascent into the Galleria delle Amri. The tunnel was poorly ventilated with 1.3% grade. Not long after entering the tunnel the train came to complete stop for 30 minutes. The exact reasons are still unclear. Either the train could not pull the overloaded freight cars, or it was waiting for another train to exit from the opposite direction. Some argue that humidity had caused the train wheels to slip, and sandboxes were not helping.

Unfortunately, due to wartime restrictions, the train was burning low grade coal which produced a lot of excess and odorless carbon monoxide.

Some of the corpses taken from the Italian passenger train that stalled in tunnel.
5 March 1944, Author Unknown.
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

The train driver tried to reverse the train but fainted before he could accomplish it. An additional complication was that it was a two-locomotive set up. The driver in lead car could not communicate with the driver in the other one as they were not the same locomotive model. That driver was still trying to push forward. A brakeman walked back to Balvano getting there about 05:10. Quickly a locomotive was dispatched and got there by 05:25. It was too late. Many people had exited the freight cars hoping to find better air in the tunnel and died there. There were so any corpses on the rails prevented removal of the train. About 40 people in the last freight cars were alive. A second rescue mission at 08:40 was able to bring the train back to Balvano. The only train crew to survive was the brakeman and a fireman from the second locomotive.

Due to wartime restrictions, the US and Italians kept it out of the news. A commission was established to determine what happened. Blame was put on the low-quality coal and the station masters tolerating stowaways. The Italian railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, declined all responsibility owing to the end of the war setup between the Italians and US. The Ministry of Treasury, in order to quell criticism, issued compensation to identified civilians (but it occurred 15 years later). A limitation on freight tonnage was introduced and the use of both diesel and steam locomotives for such routes were introduced, Steam engines were banned in 1959 and the line was electrified in 1996. Except for the train crew, the stowaways were buried in four common graves in Balvano cemetery.

Books on Railroad Disasters

Sources:

Sullivan, Missy. “More Than 500 Train Passengers Mysteriously Suffocate.” HISTORY, 28 Feb. 2024, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/train-passengers-suffocate.

Nag, Oishimaya Sen. “Deadliest Train &Amp; Railroad Accidents in History.” WorldAtlas, 25 Apr. 2017, www.worldatlas.com/articles/deadliest-train-and-railroad-accidents-in-history.html.

“ITALY: Death Train.” TIME.com, 2 Apr. 1951, content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,814495,00.html.

“Balvano Train Disaster.” Wikipedia, 29 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balvano_train_disaster.

History, Miscellaneous

Welcome to March

March 3, 2025 Mark Taylor Leave a comment

Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Folio 3, verso: March Part of Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry Date between 1412 and 1416 and circa 1440 Conde Museum, France Public Domain (US) via Wikimedia Commons

March is the third month on both the old Julian and current Gregorian calendar. It is the month that begins spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. March is believed to be derived from the Roman god Mars (Greek equivalent Ares). Before the advent of the Julian calendar, Romans considered March the first month of the new year. With winter over, it was also the start of military campaigns to resume. Festivals were also held at this time in ancient Rome to honor Mars as well.

The March equinox is usually around March 21-22. Many spring festivals take place in March. Passover and Easter may take place in March, but not always as it is dependent upon very specific calculations and can change from year to year. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. If it falls on a Friday, Catholics are given dispensation to eat meat on that day (at least in Ireland and in areas where the feast is celebrated) If it falls on a Sunday, the diocese that observes the day will do so on Monday. For Ireland, since St. Patrick is its patron saint, it will be celebrated on Sunday replacing the normally observed day of Lent.

The famous Ides of March (March 15) was once a day to pay debts in Rome, but it became infamously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar on that day in 44 BC. Daylight Saving Time begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March. For most of Europe, this will occur on March 31. The first full moon of March is often called the Worm Moon as many earthworms are being noticed in the Northern Hemisphere.

For Further Information

———. “The Month of March 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, Folklore.” Almanac.Com. Last modified February 19, 2025. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-march-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.

“The Month of March,” last modified February 20, 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/march.html.

Byrd, Deborah, and Deborah Byrd. “March Equinox 2025: All You Need to Know.” EarthSky | Updates on Your Cosmos and World. Last modified December 12, 2024. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/.

Titanic

Titanic News: SS United States, Harland & Wolff Bought by Navantia, Upcoming Exhibitions, Rare Telegram and Postcard Up For Auction

February 19, 2025 Mark Taylor 1 Comment

Michael Tanenbaum, “Wind Delays SS United States’ Departure From Philly Until Tuesday,” PhillyVoice, last modified February 17, 2025, https://www.phillyvoice.com/ss-united-states-departure-philly-tuesday-florida-reef/.

High winds in Philadelphia have pushed back the departure of the SS United States until Tuesday, when the historic ocean liner will embark on a two-week trip to Alabama. From there, the ship will undergo preparations to be turned into the world’s largest artificial reef off the Gulf Coast in Florida. In September, after years of efforts to preserve the SS United States, the ocean liner was purchased for $1 million by Okaloosa County in Florida. The county plans to invest more than $10 million to transform the ship into a diving and fishing destination. The ship’s storied history includes carrying four presidents and various celebrities over the years and holding the transatlantic speed record it set on its maiden voyage in 1952. The ship remained in service until 1969. In addition to creating the artificial reef, Okaloosa County also will partner with the conservancy to create a land-based museum that celebrates and commemorates the ship.

The SS United States in port in Philadelphia, PA.
2 August 2020
Taken by Chuck Homler d/b/a FocusOnWildlife using a drone
Wikimedia Commons

Titan (submersible)
Becky Kagan Schott, OceanGate

Allie Griffin, “NOAA Releases Chilling Audio of Moment Doomed Titan Submersible Imploded,” New York Post, February 12, 2025, https://nypost.com/2025/02/12/us-news/titanic-submersible-titan-audio-recording-released-by-noaa/.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a bone-chilling audio recording of the moment the Titan submersible imploded, instantly killing all five passengers. The never-before-heard audio clip published online Friday captures staticky white noise followed by a loud boom and reverb — and then the static again. Officials said the boom is the sound of the sub imploding before reaching the Titanic wreck site on the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2023

“TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition Returns to Liberty Science Center After 10 Years,” Press release, last modified February 10, 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/titanic-the-artifact-exhibition-returns-to-liberty-science-center-after-10-years-302372620.html.

TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition to Jersey City, NJ, after 10 years on February 15, 2025. The Exhibition has become a global phenomenon, renowned for its ability to transport visitors on an immersive journey into the remarkable story of the RMS Titanic through authentic artifacts recovered from the wrecksite, compelling storytelling, and interactive experiences.

Information and tickets are at https://lsc.org/explore/exhibitions/titanic.

Harland & Wolff David and Goliath crane in Belfast, 2006
Plastic Jesus (Dave) via Wikimedia Commons

Emma Taggart, “Navantia Paid £93m for Titanic Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff,” The Times, February 7, 2025, https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/navantia-paid-93m-for-titanic-shipbuilder-harland-and-wolff-stnwbfndf.

The takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia cost the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder £93 million after it agreed improved terms with the British government for a contract with the Royal Navy. Navantia had offered £64 million to buy the beleaguered shipbuilder and its four shipyards in October 2024 It completed its purchase of Harland & Wolff’s four shipyards last week, securing more than 1,000 British jobs. The takeover of the troubled shipbuilder came after months of uncertainty and financial problems for Harland & Wolff.

“TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition Returns to Bratislava in 2025,” Press release, last modified February 7, 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/titanic-the-artifact-exhibition-returns-to-bratislava-in-2025-302371423.html.

TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition is making its highly anticipated return to Bratislava, Slovakia, following its successful run in 2015. Opening on February 20, 2025, the Exhibition will be hosted at Sport Mall Bratislava Lama?. The Exhibition, presented by Experiential Media Group (E/M Group) and RMS Titanic, Inc. (RMST), brings Titanic’s history, and real human stories to create an unforgettable experience that has captivated millions worldwide.

Matthew Impelli, “Rare Telegram From Titanic Disaster Gets Put up for Sale,” Newsweek, February 6, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/titanic-sinking-telegram-sale-auction-2027509.

A rare and historically significant telegram sent in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster is up for sale at Julien’s Auctions as part of its “Spotlight on History & Technology” event. The telegram, sent on April 16, 1912, from Philip Franklin, vice president of the International Mercantile Marine Co. in New York City, to Captain Herbert Haddock of the RMS Olympic, requested an urgent list of Titanic survivors aboard the rescue ship Carpathia.

The auction will take place on 27 Feb 2025 at 12 noon in Los Angeles at Julien’s Auctions.

Telegram sent by Phillip Franklin, IMM, to Captain Haddock of Olympic on 16 April 1912 asking for list of Titanic survivors aboard.
Source: juliensauctions.com

Jenna Sundel, “OceanGate ‘Titan’ Victim’s Family Gets Mixed Ruling From Judge,” Newsweek, February 4, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/oceangate-submarine-titan-implosion-victims-nargeolet-lawsuit-2026068.

A lawsuit filed by the family of an OceanGate Titan submersible implosion victim will be sent back to state court, but the judge declined to pay the requested attorney fees. Judge Lauren King of the Western District of Washington granted a motion to remand on Friday filed by Richard Ortoli, the administrator of Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s estate.

RMS Titanic pictured in Queenstown, Ireland 11 April 1912
Source:Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh Ireland/Wikimedia Commons

Kendal Cooper, “Titanic Time Capsule: Rare Postcard From Tragic Voyage Set to Sail Into Auction Expected to Create Worldwide Interest – Hansons Auctioneers,” Hansons Auctioneers, last modified February 4, 2025, https://hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/titanic-time-capsule-rare-postcard-from-tragic-voyage-set-to-sail-into-auction-expected-to-create-worldwide-interest/.

A rare and deeply emotional Titanic postcard, sent just one month after the ship’s tragic sinking, is set to attract global interest when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ February Derby Antiques & Collectors Auction, taking place between the 13th and 18th of February 2025. Discovered during a recent antiques valuation day in Nottinghamshire, the postcard is thought to possess both remarkable historical significance and sentimental value. The postcard will be featured in Hansons’ upcoming February sale, where it is expected to achieve a price between £100-150. With its deep historical connections and rare status, the postcard is expected to attract considerable interest from collectors and Titanic enthusiasts worldwide.

Emily Goodwin, “Titanic Dining Experience at Dunston Hall Near Norwich,” Eastern Daily Press, January 27, 2025, https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24887156.titanic-dining-experience-dunston-hall-near-norwich/.

Dunston Hall will be hosting the event, which will give guests the chance to “dress up and become a small part of history” for an evening. At 7pm on March 15, first-class stewardess Mabel Bennett will call ticketholders through to their tables as they enjoy a meal aboard the “unsinkable” ship. Throughout the evening as a three-course meal is served, ticketholders will watch how the Captain and some of the female workers on board are affected as the tragedy unfolds. Much of the evening is interactive and the night will be accompanied by a projection of the Titanic’s voyage and an original soundtrack.

Today is President George Washington’s Birthday (President’s Day)

February 17, 2025 Mark Taylor

George Washington (1732–99) by Gilbert Stuart
Photo: Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Although today is referred to as “President’s Day” it is not a federal holiday by that name. It is officially designated as Washington’s Birthday under federal law. There was a movement to combine both Washington and Lincoln’s birthday (since they occur days apart) or honor the office of president. That never came to be. Instead in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed and came into force in 1971. That shifted most federal holidays to a Monday if it fell during the week. Washington’s Birthday name was not changed and so under federal law it is still Washington’s Birthday. However many states issue their own proclamations celebrating not only Washington but Lincoln and others from their own state. Advertisers have caught on as well. So today many call it President’s Day but who it commemorates beyond George Washington is up to the state governors.

The unity of Government, which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty, which you so highly prize.
President George Washington,Farewell Address, 19 September 1799.

For Further Information

Nevins, Allan, and Henry Graff. “George Washington | Life, Presidency, Accomplishments, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Feb. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/George-Washington.

Zapata, Christian. “George Washington: Facts, Revolution and Presidency | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 7 Feb. 2024, www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/george-washington.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “George Washington.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/george-washington.

History

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (14 Feb 1929)

February 14, 2025 Mark Taylor

Al Capone Mug Shot 1939 — Al Capone mug shot, May 16 1929, Chicago, Illinois
Source: FBI

On 14 February 1929, the world was shocked by a massacre that took place in Chicago’s North Side. Gang warfare had become part of life in Chicago during the 1920’s as gangs jockeyed for control of the lucrative illegal trades in alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. The massacre that took place would make political leaders realize that Chicago was in serious trouble. And of one the most notorious of them was Al Capone.

Al Capone had risen to power over the years by taking over his rival’s crime rackets by force. In 1924 16 gang related murders were recorded and continued to grow each year. Since the problem was deemed a local and state issue, the U.S. federal government had little jurisdiction to investigate. While the bootlegging was a violation of federal law, none of the other crime operations were. Capone had pretty much bought control of Chicago through bribing police officers, judges, and politicians. Even if someone got elected on the promise to go after him, it was difficult with so many already on his side.

One of Capone’s major rivals was the Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran who ran the bootlegging operation of a garage at 2122 North Clark Street. Gunmen dressed as police officers entered the garage and pretended to arrest them. The fake cops lined up the seven men facing the wall and opened fire killing them all (one did survive but died afterwards). At least 70 rounds of ammunition were used in the massacre. Moran was not there but he and others quickly blamed Al Capone, but he was conveniently in Florida at the time. No one was ever brought to trial for the murders and to this day remains one of the biggest unsolved crimes in history.

The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre ended any major opposition to Capone in Chicago. The North Side gang never recovered its power or place though Moran kept some control of it before leaving the city and his gang behind in the 1930’s. Capone was now the undisputed boss of the Chicago syndicate and was dubbed as Public Enemy No. 1 by the press. The massacre got the attention of federal authorities who began a grand jury to look into it. Capone did not appear to testify as ordered in March 1929 but did later resulting in his arrest for contempt of court. He was out on bond when down in Philadelphia he was arrested in May for having concealed weapons. He was sentenced to prison but ran his operation from there until he was released on good behavior nine months later. He would later be convicted of contempt of court in February 1931 and sent to Cook County Jail for six months.

The next phase of the action against Capone was to hit him in his operations and to investigate his sources of money for tax purposes. The famous Eliott Ness and his team tried to strike directly by raiding and shutting down his operations. The other operation was the investigation of the sources of his income. Special Agent Frank Wilson and others in the Internal Revenue Service did what is called forensic accounting to find out exactly how much Capone was earning from his illicit operations. It meant a lot of tracking down information and getting witnesses to provide key information, but it paid off. Wilson was able to show that Capone was failing to report his income as required by law and thus get him indicted and later convicted of tax evasion. To anyone watching, it must have been surreal. While everyone applauds Ness and his Untouchables, it was ultimately Capone’s failure to pay his taxes that got him sent to jail. He never recovered his place with the Chicago outfit and ultimately, because of syphilis, became an invalid. He was released from jail in 1939 and died a recluse in his Florida home in 1947. Public Enemy No I was no more.

Sources

“St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – Victims, Evidence and Suspects | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/crime/saint-valentines-day-massacre.

“Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre | Victims, Al Capone, Bugs Moran, and Prohibition.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Feb. 2024, www.britannica.com/event/Saint-Valentines-Day-Massacre.

History, Miscellaneous

Saint Valentine (14 Feb)-Christian Martyr

February 14, 2025 Mark Taylor

Shrine of St. Valentine in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland
Photo: Blackfish (Wikimedia Commons)

Valentine’s Day is used by many to show their affection or love for someone they care about. It has spawned an industry for greeting card makers, candies, and of course flowers. However, there is a real religious component as many Christian denominations celebrate it as feast day, commemoration, or optional for the local diocese (such as the Catholic Church). Valentine was the name of many Christian martyrs in the early Church resulting in them all being remembered for their acts of sacrifice for the faith. Some denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox Church, celebrate a particular St. Valentine on two different days.

The association with romantic love could be linked to an ancient Roman festival has been made but there is no evidence of any link. Most seem to believe the link began with Chaucer’s Parlemont of Foules where he indicates birds choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day although 14 Feb might not be the day Chaucer was referring to. Other poems made the association of love and St. Valentine’s Day in the medieval period and English Renaissance. For those who needed love verses but lacked the ability to compose them, publishers started offering them. Then putting them on paper and sending them became possible. Paper valentines became very popular in 19th century England resulting in their industrial production. They became popular in the United States as well. With such cards being popular, you needed other things to accompany a card. Roses and chocolates became popular, likely due to skillful marketing to associate them with the day. And so, Valentine’s Day became a very major day for greeting card companies, chocolate makers, and sellers of flowers (roses being the most popular flower for the day).

But Who Was Saint Valentine?

Saint Valentine is a Christian martyr who died in the 3^rd century on April 14 but owing to the confusion there were at least three people named Saint Valentine, his actual history is lacking. One Saint Valentine was a priest and physician in Rome who was martyred in 270 AD under the reign of Claudius II Gothicus (reigned 268-270 AD). He was buried on the Via Flaminia and a basilica was reportedly put over it by Pope Julius I. Archaeological excavations have shown that a found evidence of the tomb. During the thirteenth century his relics were moved to the Church of Praxedes near the Basilica of St. Mary Major where they are today. A small church built near the Flaminian Gate (today called Porta de Popolo) was called in the twelfth century “the Gate of St. Valentine” adding more weight to this Saint Valentine.

The second Saint Valentine was reportedly the bishop of Terni, Italy (Interamna at the time). He too was arrested and martyred during the same emperor. However, it is not clear whether he was executed in Rome or in Terni. Some argue that St. Valentine I and Saint Valentine II are the same person and the accounts got jumbled up. There has been confusion in the past with two people who became saints sharing the same name. Usually, they have something extra added to differentiate (St. John of the Cross vs. St. John of Damascus). It is possible that there were two men named Valentine, one a priest in Rome and the other in Terni. We simply have no way of knowing.

The third St. Valentine was martyred in Africa along with his companions during the same period and possibly under the same emperor. In this case, there is nothing further known at all. Just a mention of it and no one can say for sure whether this is true or not. With three St. Valentine’s all claiming to have suffered martyrdom, all the church can say is that they died as martyrs for their faith. In 1969 St. Valentine was removed from the general Roman calendar making the commemoration of his feast day optional. As in the case of all saints so designated, it is up to the local bishops to decide whether to it observed. For example, the feast of St. Patrick is a solemnity in Ireland and in the diocese of New York but not elsewhere. St. Valentine is still considered a martyr by the Catholic church.

Sources

“Saint Valentine | Facts, Patron Saint of, Feast Day, History, and Legends.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Feb. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Valentine.

“Saint Julius I | Roman Bishop, Church Father, Defender.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Julius-I.

“Valentine’s Day 2024: Origins, Background and Traditions | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 22 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2.

Saunders, William Father | History of St. Valentine. www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/history-of-st-valentine.html.

History, Miscellaneous

Welcome to February

February 3, 2025 Mark Taylor

February by Leandro Bassano,1595/1600
Public Domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

February is the second month on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. With 28 days (except in leap years when there are 29), it is the shortest month of the year. On the old Roman calendar, the year ended in December, and the new year started in March. The name is derived from Februarius, a purification ritual that was held around 15 February on the old Roman lunar calendar. While in the northern hemisphere February is still winter heading towards spring, in the southern seasons are switched so they are heading towards autumn.

With shorter number of days, it is the one month that can pass without a full moon (it happened in 2018). There are many fascinating names used during the month such as Snow Moon to indicate snow is on the ground. Some Native American tribes call it the Hunger Moon due to limited food sources during winter.

February is considered the snowiest month of winter, though that can of course vary by the year. 2 February has been set aside (for reasons far longer than be put here) as a day for weather forecasting by various animals. The most famous is of course Punxsutawney Phil and if the groundhog sees his shadow then six weeks more of winter is expected. He is rated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as being accurate 40% of the time. A lot of people trek to see the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania so it has become quite an event. The whole idea comes from German settlers who back in Germany used badgers for the same purpose. Lacking badgers here, groundhogs were used and so the whole thing mushroomed into what it is today.

There is also a religious connection to 2 February. In most Christian churches, 2 February is celebrated as either Candlemas (the old name) or Presentation of the Lord. The faithful will bring candles to be blessed to be used during winter (and beyond as needed). And then the day is celebrated as also when the infant Jesus is brought to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented in accordance with the law of Moses. There Simeon, a prophet who had been told he would see the promised messiah before he died, took the infant into his arms and blessed him:

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. (Luke 2:25-35)

The February flowers are violet (to signify loyalty, faithfulness and watchfulness) and the primrose (to let someone know you cannot be without them). Of course, roses are the unofficial flower since Valentine’s Day on 14 February usually means a lot of roses are purchased for wives and girlfriends.

For More Information

Boeckmann, Catherine. “February Calendar 2025: Holidays, Fun Facts, and Folklore.” Almanac.Com. Last modified January 29, 2025. https://www.almanac.com/content/month-february-holidays-fun-facts-folklore.

“The Month of February,” https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/months/february.html.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects, “1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/February,” Wikisource, the Free Online Library, last modified August 14, 2020, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/February.

Cecil Adams, “How Come February Has Only 28 Days? – the Straight Dope,” The Straight Dope, last modified July 28, 2020, https://www.straightdope.com/21341610/how-come-february-has-only-28-days.

Titanic

Titanic News: Titanic Exhibition to Open in Cincinnati; Lego Models of Famous Shipwrecks to Go On Display

January 28, 2025 Mark Taylor

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage Will Open in Cincinnati in February

Explore artifacts and life-size recreations from the world’s most famous ocean liner, the Titanic, in an exhibit coming to Cincinnati. “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage” will open in Cincinnati next month at 18 West Fourth Street downtown. The exhibit will feature more than 300 real artifacts, recreations of parts of the ship, immersive storytelling, 3D views and more.

Emily Sanderson, “Titanic Exhibit Featuring 300 Artifacts, Life-size Recreations Coming to Cincinnati,” WLWT5.Com, last modified January 24, 2025, https://www.wlwt.com/article/titanic-exhibit-cincinnati-february-tickets/63541011.

For information, tickets, and times of operation go to Expo Titanic. At this time people are being put on a waitlist to buy tickets when they are available.

Note: This exhibit is also opening in New Orleans in March. To purchase tickets early, you need to get put on the waitlist at the same site noted above.

A Lego exhibition of famous shipwrecks – including RMS Titanic – is going on display in the UK for the first time. Eight models, ranging from 1-3m (3.2-9.8 ft) long, will be on show at Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks at Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent from 8 March for six months.Amongst them will be HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, both fitted out at Chatham, before being wrecked near Canada in 1846 while seeking the Northwest Passage.Paul Barnard, from the tourist attraction, said they were “thrilled to bring this internationally renowned exhibition to Chatham“.

Stuart Maisner, “Chatham: Lego Models of Famous Shipwrecks to Go on Display,” last modified January 25, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2jjnvp8jlo.

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage Will Open in Cincinnati in February

Titanic, historic ship, and general history news.