This makes me sad

[captnenglish]

Thought I would add these to the discussion
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/306400-2
http://www.c-span.org/History/Events/American-Artifacts-USS-Constitution-Museum/10737431412/
http://www.c-span.org/History/Events/Vincent-Vaise--War-of-1812-Bicentennial/10737431497/

 

[renarts]

No worries Colin. I figured you were being tongue in cheek, its why I put the wink emoticon in there. Sadly, there are too many (adults as well as kids) that think that what is on the boob tube or in the cinema is a reflection of history rather than entertainment. Especially in this country. (the US). While we all take it for granted that this may be the case, we are but a small minority that "know history" and or have more than just a passing interest as it relates to standardized testing or that when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, where were we? . Reenactors in this country aren't much better in many cases and National Park Service historical interpretive programs aren't much better than that because its usually staffed with volunteers who don't get it. I have seen where teachers in this area have used movies like Braveheart, The Patriot, Last of the Mohicans, Kingdom of Heaven and others as educational materials. While I applaud the creativity, I cringe at the thought that educators are using these as supplemental material for teaching.
I think as we get further away from teaching history in the US, you will see less and less interest and awareness of those things that had an impact on this and other countries and how they shaped modern detante and political make up of the world. The War of 1812 will be a footnote in history like the Indian Wars, Seminole Wars, Mexican American War, Quasi War, The US's part in the Russian Revolution and the Siberian War, among others. Hell, I bet if you ask most young people today about the First Gulf War they couldn't tell you who was involved or why.

 

[[email protected]]

Who was it who said, Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Lenin? Marx ( Karl not Groucho)?
I confess wryly smiling as I remember learning that prior to WWII the United States was a main steel supplier to Japan and during WWII they ( the Japanese) returned some of that steel (but not nicely). Then I see the United States Corporations (economically understandably) ship jobs and the required ( can be used in more than one way)technology off shore to China. I hope for the sake of North America the Chinese NEVER return the "stuff". I believe there is currently enough material to produce a Sci Fi novel based on the recurrence of History since we have the recent version of the 1930s depression in slow motion to preceed WWII.

 

[Jazz]

Message to Captenglish, Dont believe all that you hear on the news and tv. We are not so different really.

 

[billyturnip]

Message to Captenglish, Dont believe all that you hear on the news and tv. We are not so different really.

I couldn't agree more, it pays to have a good in built filter to sort out what's believable and what isn't and as far as tv and newspapers go not much of it is.

 

[AJLaFleche]

Well, a few weeks back, PBS aired a documentary on the War of 1812. One point they made is that the British had also essentially forgotten that war until the 1959 song "The Battle of New Orleans" got a good deal of airplay. The British, of course, were more concerned with Napoleon at the time. On this side of the pond, during my time in school, the war became famous for the Francis Scott Key poem that became our national anthem and not much else. It was never seen as a resounding victory for the US: much of what we went to war over was resolved before the fighting began, and its most famous battle, teh aforementioned Battel of New Orleans was fought after a truce had been declared. This all due to the slow means of communication/travel at the time.

I also agree that if the British had not been focussed on the rest of Europe, the fledgling USA would have been reassimilated into the empire and any remaining "patriots" and founding fathers tried for treason. Now there's a plot for Harry Turtledove to work on! (Given the media's and general public's fawning attention to the royals over the last several years, I sometimes wonder if we haven't rejoined the Commonwealth.)

 

[AJLaFleche]

Who was it who said, Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Lenin? Marx ( Karl not Groucho)?

Neither, it was George Santayana a Spanish born philosopher, essayist poet and novelist.

 

[billyturnip]

(Given the media's and general public's fawning attention to the royals over the last several years, I sometimes wonder if we haven't rejoined the Commonwealth.)

Welcome back Al.

Roger.

 

[billyturnip]

From the BBC news magazine, (I know, as usual but when 99% of the internet is blocked.....)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18497113

Roger.

 

[T-34/85]

For what its worth, here in Erie, PA, the powers that be are planning a sort of reinactment/celebration,(hate to use that word) of the battle of Lake Erie sometime soon. At least that was the last word I heard. Our city's contribution during the War of 1812 was that Oliver Perry built his ships in the harbor, then sailed them to an area off of Cedar Point to engage the British fleet. As a side note, if you are in the mood for roller coasters, then Cedar Point is for you. I even heard that there is a roller coaster club from England that makes the trip every year and has christened the park as a sort of Mecca, (is that a bad comparison in this day) Anyway, in school they would always have a block of instruction on the war and its importance in US history.

 

[valiant]

Hi guys,
am just reading these posts with interest and I should like to add my "two pennyw'th", for what it is worth! I studied A-level history more years ago than I care to remember and we were concentrating on the period 1714 -1815. Obviously, the Napoleonic wars figured large, but no mention was made about the North American campaigns beyond the Seven Years War and War of Independance. It was only the fact that my father has a keen interest in history, that I knew about these battles. The apparent selectiveness of the learning of certain facts in historywould appear to be not just a North American phenomenon.

 

[phc35]

I ave found that most Americans know or cae little aboutanything than the current state of the gasprice and what is at the local video rental. Most of us on this forum one way or another have had the gift given to us of appreciating our indivdual
countries/nations and the people who made us proud, Also mostof us are readers,love books. Again that is lacking in most Americans. I by reading and painting "little toy soldiers "as my Mom has called them try to understand what makes an person leave the safty of hearth and home, to face injury,disease and in cases certain death for an idea that has become a nation/state.Again I feel very sorry for the instant gratification era we are in and be envious of the of land that brought us SCTV , the skit "Canadian gaffs and pratical amusements" and the sport I love,Hockey.enjoy the anniversay,hosers!
Jay

 

[skeeterbuck]

Well I can't answer for other Americans, but down in Baltimore, Maryland it's a big deal. They just kicked off a two year celebration with several tall ships from different countries as well as some current gray navy ships, (with one actually being from Canada), at the Inner Harbor here. The one week visit drew the biggest tourist crowds in the city's history! They also have events planned for 2013 and 2014 with include the Battle of North Point and the bombardment of Fort McHenry which all Americans should know led to Francis Scott Key penning the words to our National Anthem. There's plenty of War of 1812 history in this state.

 

[Osebor]

Hello to all! Think about here, in Spain what we had in recent years:

1805: Trafalgar (We were the losers, but fought with bravery)
1808: Sublevation against Napoleon; Battle of Bailen, Dupont defeated.
1808-1809: Zaragoza and Gerona sieges.
1812: Our first Constitution. Battle of los Arapiles.

But to no avail. My own daughters know nothing about that (And I live in Madrid!)
Following Jazz comments about football-soccer: these last weeks we have a patriotic flurry: Taxis (cabs) and bars and restaurants and windows with flags, etc. But nothing will remain next monday!
And Matthew, we the Europeans we have same problems about or TVs and intellectuals!

Regards
Javier

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Typed in error