Have You Read Many Newspapers from Early America? Start Here.

The Library of Congress has a free section on their website, specifically sharing newspapers throughout American history. It's designated as "Chronicling America" and it pulled me down the rabbit hole. I only paused to write this blog post!

Click here to check it out.

3 Facts about early American newspapers.

1) The first known American newspaper to be printed was in 1704.

I have to give this one to Boston! Even larger cities like New York and Philadelphia were over a decade behind Beantown. Titled the Boston News-Letter, it ran weekly until 1776.

Click here to read the details from the Massachusetts Historical Society (which is history in itself, founded in 1791).

2) The oldest long-running newspaper in America hails from Connecticut.

Another point to New England! Thomas Green started printing the Harford Courant (first-known as the Connecticut Courant) in October of 1764. Extra note for you Sunday-paper lovers- the first Sunday edition of the Courant came out in 1913.

Click here for the history of this early American newspaper, direct from Connecticuthistory.org.

3) 37 newspapers were in print by the time of the American Revolution.

Seeing so many version of the Virginia Gazette, this doesn't surprise me. Being that we were still British at that time, all were formatted like London papers. Like today, printers (publishers) had their own style and since every colony was made up of people with their own ideas, cultures, and needs, the papers reflected the differences.

Click here to learn about early American newspapers from a website titled Colonial Print Culture.

Soldiers Shaving

This poem is an excerpt from my chapbook "Revolutionary Verse", a free download, or if you prefer a printed copy, buy direct, click here.

Poem inspired by the General Washington addresses about beard and cleanliness in the ranks of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, April, 1778:
“Slovenliness and unsoldierly neglect in other respects ought rather to excite each man to compensate those blemishes by redoubled attention to the means which he has in his power; For instance, the soldier may always shave his beard, appear with clean hands and face & in general have an air of neatness which will be conspicuous under all disadvantages.”

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0402

 

 Soldiers Shaving

On the Twelfth Day, Shaving Must Be Clear

Clean-shaven soldiers, neatness held as pride,

No whisker dared to tarnish ranks' esteem,

In Washington's command, no beards abide.

 

The frontier harsh, yet razors still applied,

Through diaries and orders, clear the theme,

Clean-shaven soldiers, neatness held as pride.

 

No stubble left for fashion to provide,

A shadowed cheek disrupts the proper scheme,

In Washington's command, no beards abide.

 

Through discipline, such blemishes denied,

A soldier's honor bound to shave supreme,

Clean-shaven soldiers, neatness held as pride.

 

With razor’s stroke, their dignity implied,

Their duty sharp, their ranks a polished dream,

In Washington's command, no beards abide.

 

To stray from this, their punishment supplied,

For slovenly neglect, provisions deem,

Clean-shaven soldiers, neatness held as pride,

 In Washington's command, no beards abide.

 

Join us in celebrating the spirit of the American Revolution with "Revolutionary Verse." Whether you're a history enthusiast, a poetry lover, or simply someone who appreciates the sacrifices made for freedom, this chapbook is a must-read. Experience the power of verse to connect us with our heritage and inspire us for the future.

This “Chapbook” is a free PDF download, or hardcopy can be purchased and mailed to you.  

OR Download the Flysheet

Click or type in the URL to order the book directly from the printing company.

Author Spotlight - Lulu (Printer)

https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/lawsrl

Scroll to bottom to see catalog

ISBN 978-1-300-33836-9

(Soft Cover Perfect Bound)

The Art of the Powdered Wig

This poem is an excerpt from my chapbook "Revolutionary Verse", a free download, or if you prefer a printed copy, buy direct, click here.

The American Revolution period provides such rich material for exploring the tension between European military traditions and the practical realities of warfare in North America.
The contrast between elaborate military dress codes and battlefield conditions was particularly stark during this conflict, as British officers had to adapt their traditional practices to the American wilderness and changing warfare tactics.

 The Art of the Powdered Wig

Oh, hail the powdered wig, so fine and grand,

A crown of curls crafted by steady hand.

A soldier’s pride, a warrior’s flair,

Even in mud, you must show your care!’

 

With powder puffed and ribbons tied tight,

March into battle, a dazzling sight.

Redcoats may fear your musket’s crack,

But it’s your coiffure that makes them turn back.

The bayonet glints, the cannonballs roar,

Yet your wig’s the masterpiece they adore.

"No dirt on this curl!" you sternly decree,

"Let’s fight like gentlemen, fancy and free!"

 

But alas, the rain mocks your powdered grace,

Transforming your wig to a soggy disgrace.

No "Macaroni" now, just a man of despair,

As the mud claims your elegance, strand by strand, hair by hair.

 

Still, onward you march with a nod and a grin,

Determined your fashion will still win the din.

For to be "A Real Character" at this grand parade,

Is to fight with finesse, your style displayed.

 

So let others wear rags, unkempt and plain,

You’ll conquer with curls, through wind, snow, and rain.

For a wig is not just an accessory, dear friend,

It’s a statement of power—style to the end!

 

Join us in celebrating the spirit of the American Revolution with "Revolutionary Verse." Whether you're a history enthusiast, a poetry lover, or simply someone who appreciates the sacrifices made for freedom, this chapbook is a must-read. Experience the power of verse to connect us with our heritage and inspire us for the future.

This “Chapbook” is a free PDF download, or hardcopy can be purchased and mailed to you.  

OR Download the Flysheet

Click or type in the URL to order the book directly from the printing company.

Author Spotlight - Lulu (Printer)

https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/lawsrl

Scroll to bottom to see catalog

ISBN 978-1-300-33836-9

(Soft Cover Perfect Bound)

Guitars for Vets

Guitars for Vets

I recently came across this organization which is interesting, and may be helpful to veterans' program.  Guitars for Vets (G4V) serves at-risk United States Veterans impacted by PTSD and other service-related trauma. Through our unique, 10-week structured guitar instruction program, we put the healing power of music in the hands of our nation's heroes, helping to foster renewal, connection and community.   Those who have unused guitars can donate.

There are many groups across the United States, the closest one to most of our compatriots is;

Patrick McGuire

1310 24th Avenue South

Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States

https://guitars4vets.org/

Have You Read Many Newspapers from Early America? Start Here.

The Library of Congress has a free section on their website, specifically sharing newspapers throughout American history. It's designated as "Chronicling America" and it pulled me down the rabbit hole. I only paused to write this blog post!

Click here to check it out.

3 Facts about early American newspapers.

1) The first known American newspaper to be printed was in 1704.

I have to give this one to Boston! Even larger cities like New York and Philadelphia were over a decade behind Beantown. Titled the Boston News-Letter, it ran weekly until 1776.

Click here to read the details from the Massachusetts Historical Society (which is history in itself, founded in 1791).

2) The oldest long-running newspaper in America hails from Connecticut.

Another point to New England! Thomas Green started printing the Harford Courant (first-known as the Connecticut Courant) in October of 1764. Extra note for you Sunday-paper lovers- the first Sunday edition of the Courant came out in 1913.

Click here for the history of this early American newspaper, direct from Connecticuthistory.org.

3) 37 newspapers were in print by the time of the American Revolution.

Seeing so many version of the Virginia Gazette, this doesn't surprise me. Being that we were still British at that time, all were formatted like London papers. Like today, printers (publishers) had their own style and since every colony was made up of people with their own ideas, cultures, and needs, the papers reflected the differences.

Click here to learn about early American newspapers from a website titled Colonial Print Culture.

New Forever Stamps Commemorate Battlefields of the American

 CONCORD, MA — Together with the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Postal Service today held a ceremony at Minute Man National Historical Park to dedicate its new Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps.

“These stamps celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation and pay tribute to the heroes who fought and sacrificed for American independence,” said Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president, who served as the stamps’ dedicating official. “We are proud to partner with the National Park Service to commemorate and honor the enduring legacy of these historic battlefields.”

"The National Park Service is honored to host the U.S. Postal Service's first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps,” said Simone Monteleone, Minute Man National Historical Park superintendent. “Having the ceremony at the site of the opening battle of the American Revolution provides another opportunity for visitors to participate in the 250th anniversary.”

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/0416-new-forever-stamps-commemorate-battlefields-of-the-american-revolution.htm

Declaration of Independence August 2, 1776

On August 2, 1776, John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, stepped up to a table in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (later renamed Independence Hall) and looked down at the parchment upon which the official copy of the Declaration of Independence had been written. Hancock would be the first delegate to sign the document. His conspicuous signature would become the most famous and iconic in American history.

According to legend, Hancock explained his bold signature by saying he wanted to make sure King George could see it without his spectacles. It’s a great story, but unfortunately there is no historical foundation for it. But that the Signers knew they were doing something dangerous is certain. Pennsylvania delegate Benjamin Rush would later describe the “pensive and awful silence which pervaded the house when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of Congress,” to sign “what was believed by many at that time to be our own death warrants.” Benjamin Franklin is said to have quipped, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

In any event, Hancock’s signature on the Declaration became an enduring symbol of American defiance of royal authority, becoming so famous that “John Hancock” would eventually become slang for “signature” (as in, “Put your John Hancock here.”).

One month after approving the text, and two weeks after Congress ordered the preparation of an official signed copy on parchment, John Hancock and the other delegates to the Second Continental Congress began putting their signatures on the official version on August 2, 1776,