History with Geek Girl

 For my first Person of Interest, I'm going to talk about John Hancock. Right now, all you get is the mini report I submitted for my class. The assignment was less than 150 words, so it's short. And I hope to come back and add more eventually. But we've got to start somewhere, right? Also, my photos are from Google. I still don't know how to go about legally getting images. (The assignment was to give 150 words or less on a Boston Revolutionary: I would have to pick John Hancock, because he interests me the most (and I'm talking about his Massacre Day 1774 speech on my podcast today). I feel like John had the most to lose by roping himself with the rebellion. He could have stayed rich by taking advantage of traditions that had always been, but instead chose to stand up for freedom and independence. By using his money and his oratory gifts, he validated the colonials feeling of suppression and desire to be more than subjects. He led by example. He stood his ground wh...

Hey History Friends! So 1773 turned out to be quite eventful, right? With a few things you didn't really expect as well as a few things you did. So, as King George III asks, "What comes next?" (haha- that part of the show was referring to after we were free, but you sang it anyway, didn't you?) Some fun births to note in 1774- Raphael Peale, who was the son of Charles Willson Peale was born. I'm just learning a few things about the Peale family and I've gotta say- I love them. They seem like my people!! I was able to watch a lecture about the dad, Charles Willson Peale... there might need to be an episode just about them! Raphael was not the oldest. He was one of 16, I think? Kids and he was in the first set, but decently in the middle. I just really wanted to mention the family because they are so cool. If someone would write a book for me about the Peales, the Trumbulls, the Wests, and the Copleys... I'd super appreciate it! Also born that year was Adolp...

 Hello, History Friends!! As we welcome you to 1773 (the Year We Finally Talk About the Tea), I wanted to let you know of a couple things that happened in the beginning of the year that maybe ya'll didn't know about before. At least, I didn't. First up, on  Jan 6, enslaved people of Massachusetts petition legislature for freedom. Side note, I had been wondering how to honestly word some of the rough stuff that happened in this time period where humans had the audacity to own other humans, and I noticed in the book I'm reading (The one about being descended from Jefferson), she always uses the term enslaved people. She only mentioned it as the word slaves once and that was in quotation marks, as in, that's what their owners called them. I appreciated her doing that because it helps me learn how to be more respectful about a part of our past that I am genuinely sad happened. Like so many things in this time period- this event simply got the ball rolling. It didn't...

  Hello, history friends!! Last time, we talked about the tragedy of the Boston Massacre and got to know a few of the victims a little bit. Today we are jumping back in, but we're going to look at what happens next. So many times, this is just an event on a timeline, but we don't dive into the real impact it had. In most history books, this happened and then boom, tea is dumped and we're in Lexington and Concord. But that's not how it really went. Remember that this is the first quarter of 1770 and the Boston Tea Party doesn't happen until the very END of 1773. That's like talking about a baby being born and then in the next sentence discussing their preschool enrollment. (I have 6 kids, so kid events are how I tell time). Let's back up a second and see what the events of 1770 did for the colonists AND for the British. Could you imagine having to wait 8 weeks to 6 months just to hear news of stuff? That would drive me bonkers. I guess instant messaging optio...

 Hey, History Friends!!! Last time, we talked about New York's first Revolutionary bloodshed, but this time, we head NORTH. This is why I need maps. I legit had to open a map to double check that I had said that right. If you remember right, when the Townshend Acts were passed, Bostonians signed a Nonimportation Agreement.  I told you about John Hancock and one of his run-ins with the new customs officers. There's actually a lot more fun stories about him and his history, but I haven't studied him extensively- yet. He's on that to-learn about list I mentioned. I will tell you, though, that he was the richest man in Boston at one point. It took him a minute to really warm to the Patriot Dream, but after the Stamp Act, he became more vocal about the British injustices. He became selectman and then eventually a delegate in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  The Nonimportation Agreement kind of put Mr. Hancock in a spotlight, however. He was a bit of a target for ...

 Hello History Friends! I accidentally lied to you. A few times. I  forgot to mention that the Sons of Liberty had branches in all 13 colonies. AND- I said that Andrew Oliver was from England. He was not. He was born in Boston, but was hired BY the Crown to be the stampman (until he resigned). Also, I've put way too much stress on myself about where to put mini episodes of people who are influential. I still want to DO some, but my brain might make me want to wait until later. Who knows? Not I, said the duck. Mostly, though, I told you that where we left off on the Liberty Pole episode was going to be discussed in this one. However, I forgot about a couple of important things that we need to discuss before jumping into the Liberty Pole story. Sorry!! We talked about how the Sons of Liberty responded to the Stamp Act and then later the Townshend Acts, but I really wanted to discuss a SPECIFIC response to these as well.  First I need to tell you about this guy, his name was...