http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P0cJhQ1200

Jimi Hendrix being interviewed in England just seven days before his death . September 11th 1970.

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Jimi Hendrix final interview appeared first on Witnify.

Elizabeth Ann Seton (August 28, 1774 – January 4, 1821) was the first native-born citizen^[1] of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church on September 14, 1975.    She established the first Catholic girls’ school in the nation in Emmitsburg, Maryland where she also founded the first American congregation of religious siststers, the Sisters of Charity.

She was canonized by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975, in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. In his words, “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of the saints. Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American! Rejoice for your glorious daughter. Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.”

[Front, p.1]

I have often told you my Rebecca[1] that I had determined never again to allow myself the enjoyment of any affection beyond the bounds of moderation – but really your affectionate letters, the rememberance of past hours, and the thousand thoughts of you that strike me every day at this place, makes it not an easy matter to restrain my expressions when I write you. I never sweep the Hall, or dress the flower Pots, or walk round th Pear-tree walk, but you are as much my companion as if you were actually near me, and last Eve[nin]g finding myself Accidentally by the Garden fence at the head of the lane where we once stood at sun-set last Fall anticipating What we would do this Summer if Willy[2] hired Craggdon, I was so struck with the recollection and the uncertainty of when I should see you again, that I had a hearty crying spell, which is not a very common thing for me, nor do I suppose would have happened but that I have ever since the first moment you left me had a strong presentiment that our seperation was for a long while –  my spirits too were very much depressed by a letter I received from Aunt Caley with a Box containing the Legacy’s of her Mother, one is her

[Inside, p.2]

Watch left to Mrs. Andrew Seton, and to her Daughter Elizabeth at her death – the other the Picture of our Father which is left to his Eldest Daugther unmarried, consequently is yours my love. I suppose you remember the Picture it was done by Ramage and sent to your GrandMother in the year ninety. – I am to deliver it in your own hands is the direction. –

James, and Maitland were here yesterday Afternoon – Eliza has been very unwell – but is now better. She passed the day with me Sunday week with her darling little Babe and Dick was very Jealous of him as I had him most of the time – it is a fine lovely child. – James says his Darling Spaz has had the Dissentary, and seemed very low Spirited. I advised him to give her Rice water, which has cured Richard[3] every time he has had it. Poor Mary has really more trouble than she can bear. I have not had a letter from the Girls since Williams return, I suppose it is owing to their want of Quills and Paper. Ogden promised me he would send them a good stock to Aunty and she was to forward them. The Dear little Boys as sent a letter for Cecelia and have both written to me and to Willy also. You don’t know how much uneasiness I have had about William since his return he has been often unwell, tho’ nothing

[Inside, p.3]

very serious, yet enough [to keep] me in constant alarm. Your little Angel too has [had the] Sprue and suffered very much I send you a little curle of his beautiful light hair[4] cap. It will not be more precious to you than Celia’s wreath is to Anna, all the Gold and Silver in the world could not be half the Value to her – Kiss the dear little Puss for me a thousand times I wish I could send her something to remind her of her Birth day – but I will not forget her here – I suppose William told you Mrs. Scott is to spend some time with me – She is in very low spirits poor little soul, and as I am not very high so we jog on but heavily, She came last Saturday, with her Daughter about Harriets age, who is a very fine girl and delights Anna exceedingly for since little Aunty has been away she has been very much at a loss – Farewell my dearest Girl remember me to Maria – and believe me yours most affectionately

E.A.Seton

3^rd  August 1799 –

[Back]

Cragdon                                                          Aug 1799

Miss Seton

[…] M. […] Esq.

Dover

Delaware

[1] Seton, Rebecca Mary, 1780-1804.

[2] William Magee Seton, married to Elizabeth A. Seton.

[3] Richard Seton, son of Elizabeth A. Seton and William Magee Seton.

[4] Best guess.

The post Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Letter to Rebecca Seton appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KCP8yZgxW4

A speech by Birmingham, Ala. civil rights lawyer Charles Morgan after the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church which killed four black girls on Sept. 15, 1963.

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Charles Morgan Speech on Birmingham Bombing 1963 appeared first on Witnify.

Following up on their victory at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814 British troops bore down on the nation’s capital at Washington only a few miles distant. Their objective was to destroy the city’s governmental buildings and raise as much havoc as possible. Witnessing his army’s defeat, President Madison hurriedly scribbled a message to his wife Dolley, who had remained at the White House, to immediately flee the city.

The atmosphere at the Presidential Mansion was one of controlled panic. The First Lady prepared to flee taking with her as many state documents and other prized possessions as she could hurriedly gather. Among these was a full-length portrait of George Washington that hung in the State Dining Room. She was aware that the British troops had boasted that, if they captured her, she would be sent to England in irons and exhibited on the streets of London. This knowledge only accentuated the importance of her escaping the city as soon as possible.

“I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in it”.

Some years later, Dolley Madison recreated the scene at the White House that day in a letter to her sister:

“Dear Sister -

My husband left me yesterday morning to join General Winder. He inquired anxiously whether I had courage or firmness to remain in the President’s house until his return on the morrow, or succeeding day, and on my assurance that I had no fear but for him, and the success of our army, he left, beseeching me to take care of myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and private.

I have since received two despatches [sic] from him, written with a pencil. The last is alarming, because he desires I should be ready at a moment’s warning to enter my carriage, and leave the city; that the enemy seemed stronger than had at first been reported, and it might happen that they would reach the city with the intention of destroying it. I am accordingly ready; I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage; our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation.

I am determined not to go myself until I see Mr. Madison safe, so that he can accompany me, as I hear of much hostility towards him. Disaffection stalks around us. My friends and acquaintances are all gone, even Colonel C. with his hundred, who were stationed as a guard in this inclosure [sic].

French John [a faithful servant], with his usual activity and resolution, offers to spike the cannon at the gate, and lay a train of powder, which would blow up the British, should they enter the house. To the last proposition I positively object, without being able to make him understand why all advantages in war may not be taken.

Wednesday Morning, twelve o’clock.-
Since sunrise I have been turning my spy-glass in every direction, and watching with unwearied anxiety, hoping to discover the approach of my dear husband and his friends; but, alas! I can descry only groups of military, wandering in all directions, as if there was a lack of arms, or of spirit to fight for their own fireside.

The portrait of Washington that Dolley Madison saved

Three o’ clock – Will you believe it, my sister? We have had a battle, or skirmish, near Bladensburg, and here I am still, within sound of the cannon! Mr. Madison comes not. May God protect us! Two messengers, covered with dust, come to bid me fly; but here I mean to wait for him. . . At this late hour a wagon has been procured, and I have had it filled with plate and the most valuable portable articles, belonging to the house. Whether it will reach its destination, the Bank of Maryland, or fall into the hands of British soldiery, events must determine.

Our kind friend, Mr. Carroll, has come to hasten my departure, and in a very bad humor with me, because I insist on waiting until the large picture of General Washington is secured, and it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done! and the precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of New York, for safe keeping.

And now, dear sister, I must leave this house, or the retreating army will make me a prisoner in it by filling up the road I am directed to take. When I shall again write to you, or where I shall be tomorrow, I cannot tell!”

Source: EyewitnesstoHistory.com

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Dolly Madison Recounts Fleeing the Burning White House appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT4lDU-QLUY

Watch this amazing New York City 1993 HD Footage.  Ready to time travel and go back to the fashions, the hair styles, the fence around the reservoir and, sadly of course, the World Trade Center towers.  Great footage and a great way to see New York City as it was.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoAKvrjYHx8

Watch this amazing account from Gennadiy Surmalev who risked his life and safety to be a part of the team that entered the area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Disaster to help in the liquidation of the Nuclear fallout.   Here he discusses what it was like to be at the site and what he saw there.

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Chernobyl Disaster Liquidation appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-OTWkmFb1o

What happens when two of the world’s greatest tennis players join up with two of the most famous comedians of all time?  Check out this rare footage of Wimbledon champ Fred Perrry and Groucho Marx take on Ellsworth Vines (also a Wimbledon champ) and Charlie Chaplin.  The match was set to promote the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, which Perry and Vines were founders of.  Fun video!

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Groucho & Chaplin Play Tennis appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgUDqQzKT3M

Actor Dan Lloyd describes what it was like to work with Jack Nicholson in his iconic role for The Shining.  Lloyd who inhabited the role of Danny recalls what it was like to be on set with Nicholson and to be a part of the famous Stanley Kubrick film.

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Actor Dan Lloyd on working with Jack Nicholson appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-MhIB7LHfA

A veteran of the 737 Bomb Squadron in the 454 Bombardment Group in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Lambert R. (Bobby) Walker recalls a mission through a flack zone.  Leaving Yale early, Walker was deployed to Europe where he flew in 35 missions. Trying to navigate away from the flack zone, he was unaware that the entire squadron was following him. “If I was gonna get in the soup, I was really gonna get in the soup.”

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737 Bomb Squadron Vet Recalls Mission appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E440O8ZalmQ

World War II Veteran Lambert R. (Bobby) Walker recalls his entry into WW II.  Leaving Yale early, he was deployed to Europe where he flew in 35 missions as part of the 737 Bomb Squadron in the 454th Bombardment Group.  Walker, like all of his contemporaries, knew he was going to be in the War.  Leaving Yale University for New York City, he boarded an old German reparations transport to Europe. The trip took about 11 days and his convoy broke up, taking him up the Irish Sea to Liverpool. There he got an explosive entry into World War II.

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737 Bomb Squadron Vet Recalls WW II Entry appeared first on Witnify.