InThePastLane.com by Edward T. O'Donnell Columbus Day marks not only the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, but also the birth of the Pledge of Allegiance. The story of how this civic … [Read more...]
Broadcasting Extremism: The Rise of Fr. Coughlin
InThePastLane.com by Edward T. O'Donnell On October 5, 1930, Fr. Charles E. Coughlin delivered his first nationally broadcast radio address. Given the strength of anti-Catholic sentiment still prevalent in the United States, it was an extraordinary moment for Irish … [Read more...]
The Battle of Antietam, Photography, and the Visualization of Modern War
InThePastLane.com by Edward T. O'Donnell Historians like to describe the American Civil War as the first “modern” war, in large measure because of the central role played by new industrial technology. The telegraph, for example, allowed for instant communication … [Read more...]
The Red Scare and The Boston Police Strike of 1919
InThePastLane.com by Edward T. O'Donnell The Red Scare and the Boston Police Strike of 1919 The year 1919 was one "those years" in American history -- like 1776, 1860, 1946, 1968, and 2001 -- one racked by social upheaval and … [Read more...]
Rose Greenhow, Confederate Spy
InThePastLane.com By Edward T. O’Donnell On August 23, 1861, Rose O’Neal Greenhow heard a knock at the front door of her fashionable Washington, DC home. Outside stood several secret service agents bearing papers … [Read more...]