topic Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE! in Community Chat

INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Oznell — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:28:19 GMT

Do you have certain historical eras, people or events which fascinate you more than others? I have ones that I'm interested in, year after year:

Will not post links, and am pretty sure none of these will turn out to be controversial, ha.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD-- Of course, castles, especially ruins, have enduring appeal. Can't read enough about them. Knights, ladys, friars, Camelot legend, Robin Hood tradition: love them.

LIFE AND CAREERS OF: Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I, Abraham Lincoln, Florence Nightengale, George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans),

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: This was the mysterious system of "safe houses" throughout the North and on up to Canada, that American slaves could use (at great risk) to finally reach freedom. Traveling by night, following rivers, staying hidden during the day in attics, closets, barns, etc. of allied citizens who supported their cause.

PERIOD OF THE HUGUENOT DIASPORA (DISPERSION) ACROSS THE GLOBE: French Protestant reformers, increasingly persecuted at home from about the 1500's on, fled to many countries including, England, Ireland, Holland, America, etc. and made their mark in each culture. They often dominated the communities they came to, with their high level of craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills. Huguenots even have their own cross symbol, which they used to identify other Huguenots, with fleur de lys, and a tiny dove suspended from the cross..

FLOWERNG OF AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC COMPOSTION EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY: Suddenly, brilliant song composers all "appeared"-- Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, then Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Lerner and Loewe, Johnny Mercer, etc etc. Best songs in the world!

There are more, but this is already too wordy. Do you have any historical "pet periods or people'?

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Azcowgirl — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:29:54 GMT

I've always been interested in everything about the Titanic.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

RoughDraft — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:33:07 GMT

There is an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." I think I'm there.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Oznell — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:37:52 GMT

Oh, yes, Azcowgirl, the whole "doomed ship" narrative is so fascinating. That story has everything.... and it is still even today yeilding great new information....

Speaking of icebergs, I forgot to mention another of my favorites is the whole history of exploration and temporary human selttlement on Antarctica-- the scientific research stations that have come and gone, and how people have adapted their lives to that environment...

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Lapdog — Tue, 16 May 2017 02:40:22 GMT

There is a home 10 doors from me that was used for the Underground Railroad. I have been in it.

Through my family member I have learned a lot and enjoy the Big Band Era especially Glenn Miller and the Alamos history.

Visited there during an anniversary.

I am definitely touched by all the history and the sacrifices made during all these events/times. Especially so close to home.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

jeanlake — Tue, 16 May 2017 03:00:58 GMT

Stories from underground railroad

Music of the 60s

WW2 era and Churchill

history of Hawaiian Islands

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Free2be — Tue, 16 May 2017 03:00:58 GMT

I enjoy learning about certain historical periods and peoples. Royal families from earliest times, religious history to present times, Roman, Greek and Egyptian history and all the lands nearby affected by the greater powers. Language fascinates me, the words people choose, how language has developed. Steven Pinker is fascinating and not on TV often enough. I love listening to smart people like him, like astro physiscts and those mapping the brain because they force my own feeble brain to stretch as far as it can.

This is an interesting thread!

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

tansy — Tue, 16 May 2017 03:10:48 GMT

King Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives.

Pioneer women.

The sixties and seventies.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

sunshine45 — Tue, 16 May 2017 03:48:28 GMT

i am completely fascinated by the prohibition period.

i also love hearing about and reading about the struggles and advancements of the middle east.

i have also been enjoying the mini-series on cnn.....the sixties, the seventies, the eighties.....and now they are working on the nineties. if you have not seen them, then i highly recommend the entire series. they are excellent time capsules that review our lives and the country and world around us.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Pearlee — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:50:43 GMT

@RoughDraft wrote:
There is an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." I think I'm there.

@RoughDraft Did you experience the 1960s? That was a lot more interesting. Never a dull moment.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

RoughDraft — Tue, 16 May 2017 04:03:26 GMT

@Pearlee wrote:
@RoughDraft wrote:
There is an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." I think I'm there.

@RoughDraft Did you experience the 1960? That was a lot more interesting. Never a dull moment.

Oh I experienced the 60s alright. Not something I would want to revisit, but I was more resilient then. "Interesting" is not a word I'd use to identify that decade though. Frightening and ugly might be a better description.

But I'm here now and that's what I have to deal with.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Foolywooly11 — Tue, 16 May 2017 04:24:17 GMT

The Holocaust, Anne Frank. When I see a movie, tv documentary, or read a book on the subject, I really get emotional about it!

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

mistriTsquirrel — Tue, 16 May 2017 05:29:35 GMT

Pioneer living interests me. And learning about things that happened during WWII. I'm also interested in Frank Lloyd Wright's work and life...particularly Falling Water and the story of how it was designed and built.

I really like modern-day movies that are set in the 50's as well. There's something about that time period that makes me feel nostalgic. Maybe I was there in a past life or something.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Desert Lily — Tue, 16 May 2017 05:36:17 GMT

Wow, there are so many things I'm interested in learning more about: the Higgs Boson, neutrinos, and the creation of matter; The Cold War, JFK's foreign policies; Coco Channel's role during WW2; film history - pre and post code periods of the 1930's; law; Henry VIII and his daughter Queen Elizabeth and their ruling policies and personal lives; the history and current situations of the average Baby Boomer Women; how to write a good novel; the FDR era; apparel of the 1920's and 1930's; and when I can retire I'd like to take courses in the MIT Opencourseware. I mainly watch PBS and TCM on TV. I love to learn!

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

qualitygal — Tue, 16 May 2017 09:29:46 GMT

Times and people........not sure which, there's so much to be interested in and I am, daily. I can look anything up on the internet, and that is like a magic wand. Look up people, places, times, all of it in an instant. There's just too much to learn about, but it's a daily pleasure to get answers and learn about so much.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Harpa — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:52:57 GMT

I teach college music history, so it all seems fascinating to me. The social conditions of each period: Middle Ages, Renaissance, etc., plus the decades of American music...We are definitely products of the past!

I especially enjoy rooting out the back stories. There is so much more than meets the eye!

(I wish the history books would line up.)

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Lucky Charm — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:59:07 GMT

I just wished I could've grown up WITH my grandmother and her sisters. They were historical figures to me.

I know there was lots of pain and heartache from losing loved ones at early ages (mostly babies) and WW1 and WW2, but they were such joyful people coming out of it.

I think I just wished I could've spent more time with them.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:18:43 GMT

I am most interested in the future. I can apply what I have learned from the past to best adapt to changing conditions.

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

JJsMom — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:28:39 GMT

Civil War era, Vietnam War, and French Revolution/Marie Antionette

Re: INTERESTING TIMES AND PEOPLE!

Pearlee — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:53:38 GMT

@RoughDraft wrote:
@Pearlee wrote:
@RoughDraft wrote:
There is an ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." I think I'm there.

@RoughDraft Did you experience the 1960? That was a lot more interesting. Never a dull moment.
Oh I experienced the 60s alright. Not something I would want to revisit, but I was more resilient then. "Interesting" is not a word I'd use to identify that decade though. Frightening and ugly might be a better description.

There were a lot of things that decade that weren't frightening and ugly, such as many social changes for the good (women's movement, civil rights, etc.) so I beg to disagree. It was all interesting though and there isn't just a single word to the exclusion of other words to describe the decade.

But I'm here now and that's what I have to deal with.

But that wasn't what your original statement said, which is why I brought up the 1960s. There was a lot more going on then - every single day to make major changes to our lives - than there is right now.

@RoughDraft My responses are above.