Spanish Civil War – Fascist Uprising

In the wake of the first World War, Spain remained relatively undisturbed, having not seen any major conflict on its soil. But beneath the surface lay centuries of class and regional rivalries, and as waves of communist revolution swept Europe, labor uprisings and instability lay the groundwork for a military coup in 1923. By 1931,…

Holodomor – Harvest of Sorrow

In 1932-33, upwards of 10 million people perished in a widespread famine throughout the Ukraine. Estimates vary, but the staggering death toll is undeniable. The causes are debated intensely by various factions, citing reasons ranging from politically motivated intentional starvation to horrible mismanagement of collectivized farming. But what remains notable is the relative lack of…

Falklands War – The Empire Strikes Back

“The House meets this Saturday to respond to a situation of great gravity. We are here because, for the first time for many years, British sovereign territory has been invaded by a foreign power. After several days of rising tension in our relations with Argentina, that country’s armed forces attacked the Falkland Islands yesterday and…

James LaFond – Sports – Ritual Hegemony

Sports are a multi-billion industry, commanding their own television networks, smart apps, clothing line endorsements, and even their own dedicated majors in universities. But what is largely a spectator pastime for most today, sports in the past were much more local community activities that one might take part in as an informal gathering, or going…

2017 – Year in Review

For most of the world, New Years is a time of colder temperatures, slower work schedules, and hopefully also one of reflection and resolution. In our increasingly complex and interconnected world, distilling major events and tying them into ones own personal life is a challenge on a daily, let along yearly basis. But with that…