Clip of the Week: May 17, 2023
On May 17, 2023 by ElyseThis guy puts the “petty” in Pettibone: Some New York man has been having fun at the expense of the editors of that city. Knowing the eagerness with which republican editors publish letters from democrats who have turned republican, “A. C. Pettibone” wrote a letter to a republican paper in which he said he had
The Danish Deadhead
On May 3, 2023 by ElyseOn a recent visit to Copenhagen, I fell in love with the scenic waterfront, the pastries, the castles and gardens, the pastries, the attractive men, and did I mention the pastries? While none of these are fodder for a history blog, they did send me scurrying to the historical newspapers. There, I stumbled across a
Two Arms Are Better Than One: A Play in One Act
On April 19, 2023 by ElyseSecond Glance History’s brand-new, ripped-from-the-headlines production has as much nail-biting suspense as 2019’s “Behind Enemy Lines” and as much heart as 2020’s “Letters from the Front Lines.” Five out of five stars! – A totally real and not at all imaginary theater critic Special thanks to the Stark Country Democrat (July 29, 1880) for the
Clip of the Week: April 5, 2023
On April 5, 2023 by ElyseBefore there was Beyoncé, there was the original single lady: Old Polly Thompson, of Camberwell Workhouse, is the “oldest lady in the land,” for on Monday she celebrates the 107th anniversary of her birthday, and is still hale and hearty. A photograph of the old woman was taken the other day and forwarded to her
Clip of the Week: March 8, 2023
On March 8, 2023 by ElyseThe most understudied presidential assassination attempt in U.S. history: that time President Grover Cleveland and Frances Cleveland were battered with a weapon of mass confection. During the visit of President Cleveland and Mrs Cleveland to the fair grounds at St Louis the other day, Mrs Cleveland, who was seated along with her husband in a
Romeo Gone Wrong
On February 8, 2023 by ElyseIt’s that time of year again: cliché greeting cards, overpriced supermarket chocolate and for Second Glance History readers, cringeworthy tales of all the ways love can turn sour. History teaches us that all it takes is a misplaced coffin, one small yawn at your wedding or a passing resemblance to your mother, and you might
Clip of the Week: December 14, 2022
On December 14, 2022 by ElyseA peculiarity about holiday shopping is that a good part of it is always put off until the day or two before Christmas or even till Christmas eve, when there is a grand rush on the stores, and everything is sold and bought in confusion. – The Morning News, December 15, 1895 If you, like
Clip of the Week: October 19, 2022
On October 19, 2022 by ElyseA duel for the ages: Armed with only a bicycle and an umbrella, two arrogant politicians face off. Who will win? It seems that cycling has become very popular with some of our younger legislators, and certain of them have got into the habit of coming down to the House [of Commons] on their machines
Brussels Bonanza
On April 27, 2022 by ElyseDear readers, I have good news or bad news, depending on whether you read this blog for entertainment or out of obligation: Second Glance History is going on a semi-hiatus. Life has taken a surprising turn, and I was unexpectedly offered a position abroad. Can you guess where? Jumping through bureaucratic hoops and moving across