Category Archives: history

government, history, transportation

Union Depot once Bloomington’s grand gateway to world

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From the mid-1800s through World War II and up until 1990, thousands of travelers passed under the iconic “Bridge of Sighs” at Bloomington’s railroad station.

This historic structure served as a vital passageway for countless individuals during a significant period in transportation history. Its presence stands as a reminder of the important role rail travel played in connecting communities and shaping the growth of Bloomington.
https://pantagraph.com/news/local/article_36776db1-8b63-48e6-90ed-aed2b931ddc9.html

education, history, social

Roanoke educator recalls students who broke racial barriers in 1960s

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“Better late than never,” Dolores Johns said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing her students who played a significant role in integrating Roanoke’s retail stores during the 1960s.

She expressed that their courageous efforts should be acknowledged and remembered, highlighting their contribution to the progress within the community. Their actions helped pave the way for greater equality and inclusion in Roanoke’s retail sector, marking an important chapter in the city’s history.
https://roanoke.com/news/local/education/k-12/article_7cb490dd-ddc2-4a79-a177-be1b649c46ae.html

community, culture, family, history, travel

Back in the Day: Black beaches were a safe haven for Black life

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Many of us have vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard over the years. I personally spent time at this resort in the past and always made it a point to visit its infamous Black beach, the Inkwell. For those unable to travel to this resort, there was another Black beach much closer—Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

As summer came to an end, I found myself reflecting on some of the fun activities I enjoyed on beaches I visited during past summers. While lost in these thoughts, I received an email from a nephew living in Millsboro, Delaware. He shared an article from the Delaware News Journal by Andre Lamar titled, “How Racism Led James Brown, Other Stars to Delaware Concerts at a Famous Black Beach.” The article mentioned Black beaches beyond the Inkwell and Chicken Bone Beach, prompting my thoughts to recall a Nigerian proverb I often cite: “Until the lions have their own storytellers, the tale of the hunt shall favor the hunters.”

Today, I want to take you on a journey back in time to explore the Black beaches of “back in the day.” You may have little or no knowledge of these beaches due to the absence of our own storytellers. On August 4, 2022, Travel Coterie, in partnership with TripAdvisor, observed that “just two to three generations ago, prior to desegregation, Jim Crow laws made something as simple as a trip to the beach a difficult task for Black people in America. As desegregation unfolded, Black-founded beach destinations were often stolen, destroyed or written out of existence, leaving many to be forgotten. But the sandy shores are an important part of our collective American history—ones that are well worth a trip.”

Let me take you back in time to provide a clearer understanding of Black beaches of the past.

### What Were Black Beaches?

Based on information I have gathered over the years—from my ancestors as well as various internet sources—“Black beaches,” back in the day, refers to beaches and resort areas that were developed for and frequented by Black Americans during the era of segregation. These locations provided social, cultural, and recreational spaces that were often denied elsewhere.

My reference to Black beaches specifically relates to beaches and social resort facilities of the past that served Black people. As was often the case, we developed our own beaches and resort areas, which became vital centers for Black life and were often the result of the community’s entrepreneurial spirit.

### Notable Black Beaches Across the U.S.

Besides the Inkwell and Chicken Bone Beach, other famous Black beaches include:

– **American Beach, Florida**
Established in the 1930s by the Afro-American Life Insurance Company for its employees and the Black community.

– **Highland Beach, Maryland**
The oldest Black beach, founded in 1893. It became home to prominent Black figures like Paul Robeson, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. Du Bois. Located on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, Highland Beach was founded by Charles Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, after he was refused admission to the all-white Bay Ridge Resort nearby. The home built for Frederick Douglass across the Chesapeake still stands today as a museum dedicated to his life and the history of the beach.

Highland Beach was incorporated in 1922, becoming Maryland’s first Black municipality, run by an all-volunteer governing board. It quickly became a popular retreat for Black families and notable figures such as Booker T. Washington and Langston Hughes. Today, access to the private beaches is limited to residents or those staying at vacation homes nearby.

– **Bruce’s Beach, California**
Created in 1912 by Charles and Willa Bruce to provide the Black community with beach access, though the land was later seized by the government.

– **The Inkwell Beach, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts**
A significant gathering place for Black Americans since the late 1800s. The name originated as a derogatory term due to the skin color of the beachgoers but was later reclaimed as a symbol of pride.

– **Chicken Bone Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey**
Located at Missouri Avenue and the Boardwalk, this beach was the designated Black section of the Atlantic City beachfront. The name derives from chicken bones found in the area. From around 1900 until integration, the area was known for its vibrant atmosphere and celebrity visitors.

### Other Black Beach Communities

There were other notable Black beaches as well:

– **Idlewild, Michigan**
Founded by white developers catering to Black vacationers from the Midwest. Established in 1915, it was known as “Black Eden” and “Black Las Vegas.” The resort attracted notable figures such as Madame C.J. Walker and W.E.B. Du Bois. Ownership was transferred to the Idlewild Lot Owners Association in 1921. Entertainers like Cab Calloway and Aretha Franklin performed here. However, as desegregation allowed Black travelers access to previously off-limits locations, Idlewild slowly declined. Efforts are ongoing to restore its former glory with the help of organizations like the Idlewild Historic and Cultural Center and the National Idlewilders Club.

– **Mosquito Beach, Charleston, South Carolina**
A mid-20th century gathering spot featuring a boardwalk, pavilion, restaurants, and music clubs catering to the Black community.

– **Sag Harbor, New York**
Recognized as one of the few Black-owned beachfront communities attracting Black vacationers.

Other Black beaches include:

– Lewis Beach, Delaware (now Johnnie Walker Beach)
– Rosedale Beach, Maryland
– Elktonia-Carr’s Beach, Maryland
– Sparrow’s Beach, Maryland
– Henry’s Beach, Maryland
– Atlantic Beach, South Carolina (the only historically Black-owned beach to have remained in Black hands since its founding in 1934)
– Virginia Key Beach Park, Florida
– Freeman Beach, North Carolina
– The Inkwell, Santa Monica, California
– Amelia Island, Florida
– Buckroe Beach, Virginia
– Gulfside Assembly, Mississippi
– Freeman Park, North Carolina

I suspect there are many more Black beaches beyond those named here. If you have knowledge of others, I invite you to share them with me.

### The Impact of Integration on Black Beaches

In previous columns, I have discussed how integration—despite being a vital and necessary goal—has negatively impacted the Black economic agenda. The rise and fall of Black beaches serve as evidence of how integration contributed to the decline of these vibrant Black-owned and operated spaces that once thrived.

—

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Alonzo Kittrels can be reached at backintheday@phillytrib.com or via mail to:
*The Philadelphia Tribune, Back In The Day*
520 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

*The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Philadelphia Tribune.*

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**Did You Know?**
Misty Copeland broke barriers as the first Black female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Now, through her nonprofit, she’s making dance more accessible to children of color.
https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/backintheday/back-in-the-day-black-beaches-were-a-safe-haven-for-black-life/article_bd327186-e9c0-472c-9609-694434f5ea04.html

history, science

The real killer of Napoleon’s army revealed by DNA testing

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Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡
Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday.

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—

**Napoleon Bonaparte’s Catastrophic Invasion of Russia: New Discoveries Challenge Long-Held Disease Theory**

Napoleon Bonaparte’s disastrous invasion of the Russian Empire in 1812 remains one of history’s most infamous military blunders. In the summer of that year, the French emperor led over 615,000 troops of the Grand Army across Eastern Europe’s Neman River, aiming to compel Russia to join a continental blockade against the United Kingdom. However, within less than six months, more than half a million of Napoleon’s soldiers succumbed to starvation, hypothermia, and disease.

The failed campaign is still extensively studied today. Historical accounts have long suggested typhus as a leading cause of death among the French troops. Yet, recent microbial analyses of Grand Army soldiers’ remains reveal that at least two other pathogens were central in claiming thousands of lives.

A new study published in the journal *Current Biology* overturns the long-held belief that typhus was the main killer. Instead, researchers found that enteric fever (typhoid) and relapsing fever played major roles in the deadly toll.

### Why the Typhus Theory Persisted

It is understandable why typhus theory prevailed for decades. French doctors and soldiers’ primary accounts frequently cited typhus as potentially responsible for more deaths than the Russian army itself. Supporting this, the discovery of typhus’s main vector—body lice—on bodily remains, along with trace DNA of *Rickettsia prowazekii* (the bacteria causing typhus), reinforced this narrative.

### New Technologies, New Insights

Recent advances in sequencing technology prompted a team of microbial paleogenomicists led by Nicolás Rascovan from France’s Institut Pasteur to reexamine the causes of death among the Grand Army casualties. Their research focused on remains retrieved from a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania—a site along the French army’s retreat route in December 1812.

After DNA was extracted and sequenced from the teeth of 13 soldiers, the team filtered out environmental contamination to search specifically for bacterial pathogens. Surprisingly, none of the samples showed evidence of typhus. Instead, fragments of *Salmonella enterica* and *Borrelia recurrentis* were detected.

*Salmonella enterica* is the bacterium responsible for enteric or typhoid fever, while *Borrelia recurrentis* causes relapsing fever.

### Explaining the Overlap with Typhus

This discovery sheds light on why typhus had been misidentified for so long. Enteric fever’s name derives from its symptomatic similarities to typhus—“typhoid” literally means “resembling typhus.” Notably, enteric fever was not recognized as a distinct disease until later in the 19th century.

Relapsing fever, meanwhile, is also transmitted by body lice, the same vector linked to typhus. This overlap likely contributed to earlier confusion in identifying the exact pathogens involved.

### Reassessing Previous Findings

Rascovan’s team also revisited prior detections of *R. prowazekii* (typhus) and trench fever (*Bartonella quintana*) in the same mass grave. They suggest that earlier identifications may have been affected by different sequencing technologies—namely polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

According to Rascovan, “Ancient DNA gets highly degraded into pieces that are too small for PCR to work. Our method is able to cast a wider net and capture a greater range of DNA sources based on these very short ancient sequences.”

### An Unexpected Historical Connection

The study also revealed an intriguing historical link. The strain of *Borrelia recurrentis* found in Napoleon’s soldiers traces back to a lineage previously discovered in Iron Age Britain, approximately 2,000 years earlier.

Interestingly, all previously sequenced modern *B. recurrentis* strains belong to entirely different lineages. The one uncovered in this study appears to have survived long enough to wreak havoc on the Grand Army.

“It’s very exciting to use a technology we have today to detect and diagnose something that was buried for 200 years,” said Rascovan.

—

This groundbreaking research not only challenges established historical narratives but also demonstrates the power of modern technology in uncovering hidden truths from the past.
https://www.popsci.com/science/napoleon-army-disease-cause/

history, music, politics

EXCLUSIVE: Shocking Reasons for Musicians’ Idolization of Nazis and Hitler Revealed — From David Bowie to Kanye West

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**David Bowie’s Flirtation with Fascist Imagery and Rock’s Dark History with Nazi Iconography**

*Published Oct. 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ET*

David Bowie’s flirtation with fascist imagery in the 1970s remains one of rock’s darkest and most puzzling episodes – and RadarOnline.com has the inside track on why it is far from unique.

Author Daniel Rachel explores this troubling intersection in his new book, *This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll: Pop Music, the Swastika and the Third Reich*, revealing how some of music’s most influential figures became entangled with Nazi iconography and ideas.

### A Dark Chapter in Rock History

Daniel Rachel, best known for his books *Walls Come Tumbling Down* and *Too Much Too Young*, says his latest work was motivated by both cultural history and personal reflection.

“It felt important to collate pop music’s history with the swastika and the Third Reich,” he explained. “There are personal reasons too, which go back to my childhood.”

Growing up in Birmingham, England, in the 1980s, Rachel was captivated by punk music before fully understanding its provocations. “I would happily sing along to ‘Belsen Was a Gas’,” he said. “I saw images of Sid Vicious with a swastika armband and thought it was funny. At the same time, raised in a Jewish house, I began to understand what the Holocaust was, and to see images of mass burial sites at Belsen while singing ‘Belsen Was a Gas’ triggered an emotion that was difficult to unravel. It has stayed with me ever since.”

### Bowie, Lennon, and the Dangerous Allure of Fascist Imagery

In his book, Rachel traces how artists from the 1960s onward used fascist imagery to shock or seduce audiences – often with little awareness of its real and devastating historical weight.

David Bowie’s 1970s persona, the Thin White Duke, was described by Bowie himself as “a very Aryan, fascist type.” In 1975, Bowie called for “an extreme right front (to) sweep everything off its feet and tidy everything up,” later telling *Playboy*, “Adolf Hitler was one of the first rock stars.”

“Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Bryan Ferry have talked about the impact of Leni Riefenstahl’s film of the Nuremberg rallies,” Rachel said. “When you watch *Triumph of the Will*, it’s easy to see a parallel between Hitler doing a Sieg Heil before thousands of people and a rock star on the lip of a stadium stage, controlling an audience. But in rock’n’roll there has been an attempt to divorce the spectacle from the reality, which was an attempt to exterminate the Jewish people.”

Rachel points out that Bowie’s statements—later dismissed by the musician as the product of cocaine addiction and confusion—were not isolated. John Lennon once drew himself as Hitler, while The Who’s Keith Moon once dressed in an SS uniform and marched through north London’s Golders Green, a predominantly Jewish area.

More recently, Kanye West has praised Hitler and sold swastika-themed T-shirts online, continuing the troubling tradition.

### Provocation, Ignorance, and the Roots of Shock Culture

“I don’t want to be the Simon Wiesenthal (a famous Holocaust survivor) of rock’n’roll,” Rachel said, “but it’s happening in plain sight and being digested by, in some cases, millions of people. Having laid all this out in the book, I’m asking, why is this still going on?”

Rachel believes the fascination some musicians have with Naziism and Hitler stems from rock’s enduring impulse to provoke. “Both stupidity and provocation are the substance of rock’n’roll,” he said. “I was in a band for most of my younger years, and not thinking about what you’re doing is a mainstay of band life. But that’s why the infrastructure around it has to take responsibility.”

He adds that ignorance has also played a significant role. “The Holocaust was an orchestrated genocide,” Rachel said. “That understanding wasn’t necessarily present in the history of rock’n’roll, but it should be now.”

### A Personal Reckoning With the Past

While researching his book, Rachel visited Poland’s concentration camps and confronted his own curiosity. “I found myself almost wanting to buy SS memorabilia, to hold these relics associated with mass murder,” he admitted. “So I do understand the fascination. But Keith Moon parading around Golders Green in an SS uniform only 20 years after the Holocaust? That can’t be right.”

Daniel Rachel’s exploration shines a harsh light on a disturbing but often overlooked aspect of rock history, urging readers and the music world alike to grapple seriously with the legacy of Nazi imagery in popular culture.
https://radaronline.com/p/musicians-who-praised-hitler-reasons-revealed-bowie-kanye-west/

foreign policy, history, international relations, Middle East, politics

A Marshall Plan for Gaza? – Liberty Nation News

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**Can Team Trump Do for Gaza What the Marshall Plan Did for Germany?**

Is it possible for Team Trump to replicate the success of the Marshall Plan in rebuilding Gaza? Explore this compelling question and its implications.

For more episodes, [click here](#).

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**Putin Resorts to Old Foot-Dragging Ploy**

Optimism over direct talks between Putin and Trump proved short-lived. Discover the latest developments and what they mean for international diplomacy.

[Read Now!](#)

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**A Marshall Plan for Gaza?**

Is a Marshall Plan-style initiative for Gaza a golden opportunity or a potential nation-building nightmare? Dive into the debate and watch our full discussion.

[Watch Now!](#)

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**Tom Steyer Engages His God Complex on California Prop 50**

Could Tom Steyer disrupt California’s political landscape and make a significant run for the governor’s mansion? Find out how Prop 50 factors into his ambitions.

[Read Now!](#)

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**The Public Square – Latest Polling With Liberty Nation**

Explore the latest major poll shifts and enjoy great graphics that shed light on current public opinion trends.

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**Liberty Nation On The Go: Listen to Today’s Top News**

Stay updated with conservative news fresh off the press. Tune in to Liberty Nation on the Go for today’s top stories.

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https://www.libertynation.com/a-marshall-plan-for-gaza/

architecture, government, history, politics

The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday began dismantling a portion of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady.

This move marks a significant change in the historic building’s layout and functions, signaling upcoming renovations and updates.

Further details about the project and its impact on White House operations are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

https://wsvn.com/news/politics/the-white-house-starts-demolishing-part-of-the-east-wing-to-build-trumps-ballroom/

business, culture, entertainment, history, travel

Disney leans into patriotism, turning Soarin’ Around the World into Soarin’ Across America

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The Disneyland Resort will be getting a little more patriotic in 2026. Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure is set to be converted to Soarin’ Across America, a change timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. This makeover is planned for next summer at both Disney California Adventure in Anaheim and Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Florida.

In a recent clip, Warburton, voicing the fan-favorite character Patrick, promises “amber waves of grain” and “purple mountain majesties” while showcasing red, white, and blue Minnie Mouse ears designed especially for the Fourth of July. A post on the Disney Parks Blog hints that the new film will also feature various iconic American cityscapes.

The Soarin’ makeover is part of a broader series of Disney initiatives honoring America’s 250th birthday. The “Disney Celebrating America” campaign will launch on Veterans Day, November 11, and run through July 4, 2026. During this period, various Disney networks—from ABC to ESPN—will feature America-themed programming. Additionally, Disneyland and Walt Disney World will host a special, one-time fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

This patriotic celebration arrives amid a divisive time in American history. The attraction’s promotional poster features the Statue of Liberty alongside the American flag and a bald eagle—imagery that conveys a strong sense of national pride. This shift from a global perspective to a more America-focused experience reflects broader cultural currents. It aligns with a political climate often described as “America First,” seen in policies such as President Trump’s tariffs.

The Walt Disney Company itself has faced scrutiny over recent controversies, including late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel and the airing of pro-administration ICE recruitment ads on its streaming platforms. Disney’s own social media posts announcing the Soarin’ update have sparked intense debate, with some viewers questioning whether the move borders on propaganda and risks feeling jingoistic.

That said, Disney theme parks have a history of embracing American exceptionalism. However, in recent years, the parks have gradually moved toward a more global and diverse vision. For example, when Disneyland brought back the Electrical Parade in 2022, it removed its large American eagle and flag float, replacing it with scenes from recent Disney and Pixar films like “Encanto,” “Coco,” and “Frozen.”

Nonetheless, Disneyland remains a place of tradition. The park still features a robotic Abraham Lincoln (currently temporarily displaced for a show honoring Walt Disney), hosts flag retreats, and commemorates the story of the first Christmas every December.

Soarin’ originally debuted with California Adventure in 2001 as Soarin’ Over California. It typically makes a seasonal return each spring as part of the park’s popular Food & Wine Festival.

With the upcoming transformation to Soarin’ Across America, Disney aims to offer guests a renewed celebration of the country’s landscapes and heritage, marking a significant moment in the resort’s history and America’s anniversary festivities.
https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2025-10-20/disney-soarin-across-america-disneyland-california-adventure

celebrity, family, history, royalty

EXCLUSIVE: Revealed – The Sad Promise Prince William Made to Mom Princess Diana That He’ll Never Get to Fulfill When He Takes the Throne

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**Prince William’s Promise to Princess Diana That He Will Never Be Able to Keep**

*Published Oct. 17, 2025, 4:34 p.m. ET*

Prince William once made a heartfelt promise to his mother, Princess Diana, that moved her to tears — a promise he tragically will never be able to fulfill, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

At just 14 years old, the future Prince of Wales witnessed a heartbreaking moment in his mother’s life. In 1996, Diana lost her “Her Royal Highness” (HRH) title as part of her divorce settlement from then-Prince Charles, now King Charles III.

### The Promise That Moved Diana to Tears

Though Diana retained the title Diana, Princess of Wales, the removal of her HRH status meant she had to curtsy to her ex-husband, her two sons, and other members of the royal family. This change deeply hurt Diana, who confided in close friends that it felt like the final severance from the institution she had once devoted her life to.

In a touching moment, a teenage William comforted his mother by saying, “Don’t worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king.” According to Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, this promise left her overwhelmed with emotion.

A source close to the late princess shared, “Diana was incredibly touched by what William said — she told friends it was one of the kindest things he’d ever done for her.” The insider explained this moment showcased the deep bond between mother and son. “Even as a teenager, William was remarkably empathetic,” they said. “He could see how much the loss of her title hurt her, and he just wanted to take that pain away in the only way he knew how.”

### A Promise Lost to Tragedy

The promise, however, would tragically remain unfulfilled. On August 31, 1997, just a year after the divorce, Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36 — only 368 days after the settlement was finalized.

A royal insider reflected, “It’s heartbreaking when you think about it. Diana’s loss was the defining wound of William’s life, and that small promise became symbolic of everything he couldn’t protect her from. The tragedy is that he’ll never get to fulfil it — no matter what kind of king he becomes.”

### The Divorce That Changed Everything

Diana’s divorce settlement, finalized on August 28, 1996, awarded her a lump sum of approximately $20 million and an annual allowance of $500,000 to maintain her private office. While the agreement ensured joint custody of Prince William and Prince Harry, then 12, Diana’s HRH status was permanently revoked — a decision supported by Queen Elizabeth II to maintain “necessary distance” between the monarchy and the divorced Princess of Wales.

Royal experts have noted that the Queen attempted to reassure Diana during this difficult time, promising she would always have access to her sons.

### A Legacy of Love and Compassion

In the final months of her life, Diana’s feelings toward the monarchy remained complex. She once told a royal biographer, “I would never do anything to hurt the monarchy. I have no wish to upset what is essentially William’s inheritance, whether he likes it or not.”

Those who knew Diana well say she often spoke about the importance of compassion in leadership — a lesson William seems to have embraced fully.

A family insider shared, “Diana always told William that if he was lucky enough to find real love, he should protect it and never let it go. He’s done exactly that with his wife Catherine — it’s the one piece of her guidance he’s truly carried with him.”

—

Prince William’s promise to his mother remains a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between them and the profound impact of Diana’s love and compassion on the future king.
https://radaronline.com/p/prince-william-princess-diana-promise-unfulfilled-throne/