Uncommon History

The genesis of this day of celebrating love is among those dates clouded in a mist of uncertainty. Among the most convincing tales surrounding Valentine’s day is that it is a commemoration of the martyrdom of a Christian who refused to recant his faith in Jesus Christ. This beleiver, named Valentine, was killed for his faith (perhaps also because as a temple priest, Valentine had defied the Roman Emperor Claudius) on February 14, 269 AD. It is said, in this version of the story, that the daughter of his jailer had befriended him and before his death, left her a farewell letter in which he closed with, “From Your Valentine.”

According to history, the Queen of Roman gods and goddesses, known as Juno, was honored every February 14th. It had become the custom for young girls to write their names on slips of paper and young men would draw these names from their container. During the festival that followed the following day, known as Lupercalia, the boy and girl matched by the paper slip would participate in the festivities together. Tradition has it that eventually some of these pairs would fall in love and even marry. Over time, Popes of the Roman Catolic faith were apt to replace pagan festivals with celebrations of their own faithful followers. Thus was the case in 496 AD when Pope Gelasius decreed that February 14th of each year would be a day of memorial to honor Saint Valentine.

Over time, Valentine became regarded as the patron saint of lovers and a custom of exchanging messages of love and friendship emerged. These simple yet intimate messages of endearing love were soon followed by poems, gifts and flowers.Modern commercialism has greatly affected the way in which Saint Valentine’s memorial is celebrated, but the central theme of love and friendship remains.

Of course, as is the case with many ancient customs and traditions, the actual source of the celebration is a matter of acedemic contention. Regardless of the exact history behind what is known today as Valentine’s Day, it would be wise not to engage in intellectual debate over its origins of February 14th. Instead, those who have a special love interest in their life would be well advised to leave history to scholars and arrive on time and with a token of love and gratitude. Such an act will honor the memory of Saint Valentine and keep the celebration a joyous one.

Over the past several years, urban sprawl combined with increased industrial and commercial demands in our nation have exacted a toll on one of our most precious commodities, our history.  I have witnessed first-hand the encroachment, purchase and destruction of what was once considered hallowed ground. On October 28, 2009, the US Congress made an unprecedented step to help revers some of those trends.The following is a press release from Civil War Preservation Trust announcing the latest actions of our congress to protect Civil War Battlefields:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2009

For more information, contact:
Jim Campi, CWPT, (202) 367-1861 x7205
Mary Koik, CWPT, (202) 367-1861 x7231

CONGRESS ALLOCATES $9 MILLION TO PRESERVE AMERICA’S ENDANGERED CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS

CWPT praises Congress for its unprecedented commitment to protecting America’s hallowed grounds

(Washington, D.C.) – The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) today applauded members of the U.S. House and Senate for including the largest ever single-year allocation for the federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Interior Appropriations Act Conference Report (H Rept 111-316).

The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.

“This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time,” said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl.”

The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program’s matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.

Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program’s continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year’s unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.

“It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill,” said Senator Webb. “As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation.”

Senator Alexander concurred, saying, “The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker’s Crossroads. I’m glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program.”

“America’s Civil War battlefields are part of our nation’s rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history,” remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.

This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, “I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation’s historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all.”

Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. “I can think of no more fitting – and lasting – tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled.”

The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.

With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.

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For more information about the program’s congressional supporters, visit CWPT online at www.civilwar.org/aboutus/news/news-releases/2009-news/congress-allocates-9-million.html.

I am excited to announce a new page on my website:

The Civil War Timeline

There are a number of great Civil War data and timeline sources out there, and I am certainly not trying to recreate the wheel. However, most of the timeline sources I have found are vague at best and give little other help or direction in finding out more detailed information.

This particular project began as an idea and I began compiling information, perhaps to even create this on its very own website. It seemed wasteful to do so however and logic demanded I simply add this information as a page on this site.

October 16, 2009 marked the 150th anniversary of what many people consider to be the opening salvo of the Civil War; John Brown’s Raid.

The timeline will show siginificant events over the course of the war and on the specific 150th annivesary of each event, a single posting will arrive right here on Uncommon History. From that point on, a link to that information from the Civil War Timeline will be active.

I truly hope this helps bring Civil War history alive to you. If you have any comments or ideas on this endeavor, I would love to receive them.

Related Posts

• The Indictment of John Brown
• The Trial of John Brown

October 16-18, 1859 – John Brown’s Raid

There is without a doubt considerable politics and manuevering prior to John Brown’s raid on the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry. However, because of the actual physical action and public trial and hanging, this event is the most commonly cited action that pointed towards the coming conflict.

Most of us are at least partially familiar with the story. John Brown, considered a fanatic by President Abraham Lincoln, attempted to storm the Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry in order to obtain weapons and incite an armed revolution on the part of and by slaves.

Much more has been written on this account and you can find suitable background at the following links (and your public library):

• Civil War Preservation Trust
• Civil War Home
• Eye Witness to History
• PBS – John Brown
• Wikipedia (as always, re-verify what you read here)

For more Civil War History, visit the Civil War Timeline

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Uncommon History – Relatively unknown facts about this event

John Brown and the Abolitionist Movement

(One researcher’s look into John Brown and the people who helped to fund him)

Yes, I have been quite absent this summer. It has been a whirlwind of family fun and adventure that is winding down in its final week. I did, however, want to thank any and all of you who have helped the effort to preserve an additional 643 acres of the Davis Bridge Battlefield.

I recieved word today that the goal was reached and the battlefield HAS BEEN SAVED!!!

Victory at Davis Bridge