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Showing posts with the label history

Veterans' Day Time Line

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For those of you wondering why Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11... Oh wait. It wasn't always celebrated on the 11th. Here is why! 1 918: November 11, 11:00 a.m. the armistice ending World War I (truce) goes into effect 1919: President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with these words  "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" Fact: The original idea for Veterans’ Day was a day observed with parades with a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. 1938: November 11 is made a legal holiday is signed into Act on May 13 – as a day dedicated to the cause of world peace known a

History of Labor Day

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Labor Day Celebration New York City, 1882 Each Labor Day, it is necessary to go beyond the barbecues, vacation spots, and Back To School Sales. It is time to reflect on the history of Labor Day and how it came to be. The holiday was conceived to celebrate the American labor movement with all its strength, contributions, and prosperity to the wellness of the United States of America. Fact: Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday of September. Who founded Labor Day? That is up to debate, but has been attributed to these two men:  Peter J. McGuire , general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor or machinist  Matthew Maguire ,  proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. Maguire  later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J. How was Labor Day to be Celebrated? The first proposal of the holiday was a stree

Keeping track of Saranac Lake’s History

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It isn’t just nature, hikes and water activities that keep me active. It is an overwhelming interest in its vast history. Every summer I try to schedule in one of Historic Saranac Lake’s walking tours. Each Thursday a different section of the Saranac Lake story is unfolded. My daughter joined me last week for a tour around the American Management Association (AMA) property.  During school she’s learned about the contribution Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau made to the community and was interested to learn more about his influence. There is always so much more information given on these tours and not enough space to write about it. I learned from Margaret, our wonderful volunteer guide, that the AMA space was originally the Trudeau Sanatorium. Sanatoriums were institutions geared toward those that couldn’t afford the private cure cottages in town.   

Adirondack History: Fire Towers in the Adirondacks and Catskills of New York

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In the late 1800s and early 1900s, enormous forest fires were threatening residents and landowners. New ways had to be looked at to try to protect and report how these fires could be managed. Two different fires, 1903 and 1908, which damaged over 1 million acres of woodlands, became known as the "Great Fires" leading to an organized system of forest fire management throughout the Adirondacks. The first Adirondack fire tower, made of wood, was built on the summit of Mount Morris (now known as Big Tupper Ski Area) with other towers being constructed over the course of the next five years. There have 120 fire towers at various locations around New York State with 57 of them within the boundary of the Adirondack Park. The log and wood structures were slowly replaced by steel towers between 1917 and 1930, which could be more easily maintained. A full-time work force from Forest Rangers to Fire Observers were organized to manage fire districts.

Adirondack History: Adirondack High Peaks (46er) list with Mountain Name and Elevation

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As you requested! Here is a list of all the Adirondack High Peaks (plus McNaughton which is 4,000' but not considered part of the 46 High Peaks) I will have Adirondack Fun Facts about each mountain so keep checking back. If you have other suggestions, please sending them in and I will do my best to get the information here as quickly as possible. Thanks for letting me know. A patch is given as well as an assigned number, though many people do choose not to register. Climbing all 46 High Peaks is not distinguished by the registration, but by the accomplishment. The Adirondack Forty-Sixers is more than just a place to register hikes, the service and hiking organization encourages and educates its membership on conservation and preservation of the wildness of the Adirondack Park in northern New York State.

Battle of Plattsburgh Schedule of Events and History

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In History: The Battle of Plattsburgh, (September 11, 1814) 15,000 British soldiers invaded New York from Canada supported by the Royal Navy on Lake Champlain. The purpose was to reach New York City and split the nation in half. With only 1,500 men led by General Macomb (32) and a small flotilla commanded by Commodore Macdonough (30) the two armies fought valiantly in the village of Plattsburgh. The Americans were overwhelmed and outnumbered but a lack of wind gave them the advantage to overtake the British fleet. The ground troops were withdrawn after the defeat of the British ships. It was an unexpected victory but with a great loss of life. The American victory scuppered the British plans to control Lake Champlain which is said to have a direct effect of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812.