Short Takes – The FIRST First President

Journey back to the heady, world-shaking days of July 1776 when the fledgling United States declared independence – and discover the man who became the FIRST first president of an independence American government as the thirteen states fought for our freedom! https://youtu.be/wYTSNaq9Q58 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #johnhancock, #americanrevolution, #america250

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Oldest Ship

Breathtaking underwater archaeology in the 1930s returned the oldest existing American warship to the nation it was sunk helping to found – and it’s not the magnificent 1797 frigate USS Constitution! Join the adventure here on “Short Takes: Unexpected Ships” as we continue our celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial by revealing the Unexpectedly Oldest … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Oldest Ship

Short Takes – The Missing Colony

A great mystery awaits the patriotic American! History says thirteen colonies declared independence in 1776, becoming the first thirteen states of our union. However, historical records hold that only twelve colonies actually declared independence, so, just where in the name of John Q. Arbuckle did the thirteenth state come from? Short Takes has the answer! … Continue reading Short Takes – The Missing Colony

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Longest Ship

A Naval Academy riddle sends us across the vast, tractless oceans in search of The Longest Ship in Navy History. Explore a mystery spanning nearly 700 miles from the Mid-Atlantic region up to New England in order to discover the unexpectedly longest ship the Navy ever (sort of) put to sea! https://youtu.be/1xShmPl5Qkw #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #ShortTakes, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – The Unexpectedly Longest Ship

Short Takes – Vulcan!

Birmingham, Alabama boasts a giant world record—the largest cast iron statue on the planet! Created to represent Birmingham during the 1904 World’s Fair, Vulcan today stands atop a towering pedestal, forever examining a spear he just forged. Learn the history of this unique piece of Americana—and how a Roman god came to symbolize an American … Continue reading Short Takes – Vulcan!

Short Takes – Fort Donelson

The early days of the Civil War appeared to foreshadow only defeat and humiliation for the Union, but an obscure general from Illinois forever altered that narrative. Take a trip to the quiet, beautiful hills of northwestern Tennessee and learn how Ulysses Grant gave the Union its first real victory when he capture Fort Donelson. … Continue reading Short Takes – Fort Donelson

Short Takes – Unexpected Ships: The Unexpected Mast

Fort Knox is famous as home to the United States’ gold depository and the General George Patton Museum, but a quiet corner presents a most unexpected site for an Army post—the mast of a bygone battleship. Discover the unexpected mast of USS Kentucky’s (BB 6) aboard Fort Knox! https://youtu.be/QzxeNwureDQ #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #Kentucky, #battleship, #FortKnox, #shorttakes, … Continue reading Short Takes – Unexpected Ships: The Unexpected Mast

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – Ticonderoga

An unexpected ship pops up in the middle of the stunning Vermont countryside. This elegant paddlewheel steamer used to ply the waters of the Great Lakes until the Shelburne Museum acquired it in the 1950s. Come aboard and learn the story of the Ticonderoga! https://youtu.be/zVaUTnvyX24 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #unexpectedships, #steamboat, #steamer, #ship, #paddlewheel, #GreatLakes, #Vermont, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships – Ticonderoga

Short Takes – The Pony Express

Come ride along with the Pony Express here on Short Takes! Looming large in the mythos of the American Wild West, the Pony Express only operated for 18 months before fading into history. Come take a brief look at the United States’ first transcontinental high-speed mail delivery system! https://youtu.be/J319KWEDWZE #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #ponyexpress, #shorttakes, #wildwest, #western, … Continue reading Short Takes – The Pony Express

Short Takes; Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Propeller

Discover another of the Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes! Find out how an unexpected propeller in the middle of Delaware heralds the story of USS Shangri-La, the only ship in Navy history to be named for a mythical place! https://youtu.be/6jWAlToOEO0 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #unexpectedships, #USSShangriLa, #USSShangri-La, #ShangriLa, #Shangri-La, #history, #Navy, #aircraftcarrier, #warship, #carrier, #navalaviation,