Take that Aaron Burr!

Except, of course, for this one.

Today is the 172 anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto. On this date in 1836 General Sam Houston led the forces of Texas against General Antonio López de Santa Anna’s Mexican forces. The battle lasted less than twenty minutes and resulted in a decisive victory for Texas. Lets all raise a toast to General Houston and his brave men.

Oh, and offer a prayer that their descendants finally learn to do Bar-B-Q right. It is PORK not beef.

Hat tip to Daniel over at Grim’s Hall for pointing out today’s significance.

“What gross deception and fatal delusion! Although very considerable benefit might be derived from strengthening the hands of Congress, so as to enable them to regulate commerce, and counteract the adverse restrictions of other nations, which would meet with the concurrence of all persons; yet this benefit, is accompanied in the new constitution with the scourge of despotic power, that will render the citizens of America tenants at will of every species of property, of every enjoyment, and make them the mere drudges of government. The gilded bait conceals corrosives that will eat up their whole substance.”

 I’m sure we’re going to be the best of friends.

Blackadder has this interesting post up over at Vox Nova.

To mark the 65th anniversary I recommend that you visit the treasure trove of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Project. 

I wish all a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope pleasure is found in reading these WSJ editorial traditions.

“The Desolate Wilderness.”

So they left that goodly and pleasant city of Leyden, which had been their resting-place for above eleven years, but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to Heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city (Heb. XI, 16), and therein quieted their spirits.

and

“And the Fair Land.”

Anyone whose labors take him into the far reaches of the country, as ours lately have done, is bound to mark how the years have made the land grow fruitful.

This is indeed a big country, a rich country, in a way no array of figures can measure and so in a way past belief of those who have not seen it. Even those who journey through its Northeastern complex, into the Southern lands, across the central plains and to its Western slopes can only glimpse a measure of the bounty of America.

A quick tour through human history, courtesy of Paul Johnson.  Just a perfect Sunday afternoon read.  (HT to John Miller on The Corner.)

Now, here’s a vote you can feel good about.

Everyone should celebrate this day by watching this inspiring clip from Kenneth Branaugh’s Henry V.  The feast day itself has nothing to do with the Battle of Agincourt, fought on October 25, 1415, but any excuse to watch this clip is a good excuse.  You can read about St. Crispin and his brother St. Crispinian here.

This book will be my next purchase from Amazon; and I suspect that many of y’all will want to get a copy of ”Christ in the Camp” as well, given that the book covers two of SA’s primary topics o’ interest (Southern History/Culture and Christianity).

I just began reading a book this morning, “Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer,” as part of my morning quiet time (which I’ve been neglecting of late), and there is a fascinating question posed and answered by the author at the very outset: Who are the top ten “historical persons who have had the greatest impact on [your] life (excluding Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother–hey, it’s a Catholic book, you know it’s going to have a Marian vibe going)”?

Off the top of my head, here’s my top ten:

(1) General Robert E. Lee;

(2) Saint Thomas More;

(3) Saint Augustine;

(4) Saint Thomas Aquinas;

(5) Pope John Paul II;

(6) President (and General) George Washington;

(7) General Thomas J. ”Stonewall” Jackson

(8) President Ronald Reagan;

(9) Justice Joseph Story; and

(10) Winston Churchill

I may end up revising this list later, but these were the men who first came to mind.

Who would you choose?