Budget Travel profiles eight amazing upcoming attractions for the traveler who has seen everything. From Space Travel by Virgin Galactic to the Burj Dubai which will be the world's tallest building, topping the competition by about 1000 feet.
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Saturday, July 26, 2008
Harpers Ferry - John Brown Plotted Here
Harpers Ferry West Virginia featured prominently in US History for over a century. Thomas Jefferson visited this area at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Lewis and Clark were outfitted here after a long stay preparing for the trip west.
But the most famous event was the slave rebellion of John Brown here in Harpers Ferry. At the "Secret Six" Tavern plans were made for the overthrow of the US Government. Brown assumed his uprising at Harpers would catalyze enslaved Americans to rebel and begin a chain reaction of rebellions throughout the south that would overthrow the Government. This was not to be, and after several days Brown was captured and many of his key followers were executed.
But the most famous event was the slave rebellion of John Brown here in Harpers Ferry. At the "Secret Six" Tavern plans were made for the overthrow of the US Government. Brown assumed his uprising at Harpers would catalyze enslaved Americans to rebel and begin a chain reaction of rebellions throughout the south that would overthrow the Government. This was not to be, and after several days Brown was captured and many of his key followers were executed.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Vietnam: Make Miss Universe Pageant, Not War
Some 40 years after the bitter conflicts in Vietnam between North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese, and the USA, it is encouraging to see that country hosting the Miss Universe pageant.
After decades of near economic ruin, Vietnam is enjoying a fast paced renaissance, attracting new foreign investment as well as a renewed interest in entrepreneurial activity throughout the country.
The Miss Universe Pageant is held at the Diamond Bay Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
After decades of near economic ruin, Vietnam is enjoying a fast paced renaissance, attracting new foreign investment as well as a renewed interest in entrepreneurial activity throughout the country.
The Miss Universe Pageant is held at the Diamond Bay Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Womens Army Corps Poster, WWII era
Poster art played a large role in the campaigns to enlist and build morale in the US Military during Word War II. Posters were also used to keep public morale high as well as encourage, for example, neighbors to report suspicious activity.
Our current sensibilities make many of the old style approaches seem heavy handed or in some cases racist, sexist, or otherwise questionable, but it is also hard to put the US WWII War effort into any relevant modern context. Arguably the future of the world was at stake in the 1940s and it is extremely unlikely we'll see any kind of conflict like this again.
Our current sensibilities make many of the old style approaches seem heavy handed or in some cases racist, sexist, or otherwise questionable, but it is also hard to put the US WWII War effort into any relevant modern context. Arguably the future of the world was at stake in the 1940s and it is extremely unlikely we'll see any kind of conflict like this again.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Great Travel Blog
A great travel blog to check out is by a Canadian Couple who travel for a few months each year... and write about it.
India is the latest adventure...
Check them out here
Check out India9.com, our companion travel webite.
India is the latest adventure...
Check them out here
Check out India9.com, our companion travel webite.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tour de France ... in England?
The Tour de France is by far the world's best known cycling event. Although most of the event is in France, covering some 2200 miles over some three weeks of "stage" racing, the racing sometimes includes other countries.
The Tour de France is a household name in sport, but few know the fascinating historical origins of the race, which stem from the tensions in France over the Dreyfus affair. Dreyfus was a French military man accused of providing secrets to the Germans. A popular sports newspaper called Le Velo maintained Dreyfus guilt while a major advertiser disagreed to the extent they started their own sports newspaper and sponsored an event to promote that new publication. Hence, in 1903 the Tour de France was born as an advertising promotion following a historical controversy.
Dreyfus was eventually exonerated.
The Tour de France is a household name in sport, but few know the fascinating historical origins of the race, which stem from the tensions in France over the Dreyfus affair. Dreyfus was a French military man accused of providing secrets to the Germans. A popular sports newspaper called Le Velo maintained Dreyfus guilt while a major advertiser disagreed to the extent they started their own sports newspaper and sponsored an event to promote that new publication. Hence, in 1903 the Tour de France was born as an advertising promotion following a historical controversy.
Dreyfus was eventually exonerated.
Concord, Massachusetts History Parade
Concord has an excellent parade that follows the superb reenactment of the battle for the North Bridge, often considered the starting point of the Revolutionary War. Locals dress in traditional minuteman costumes for several events in April that showcase the life and times and conflicts that led to the Revolutionary War and a new nation. Minuteman National Park runs from Lexington to Concord and offers wonderful walks through this historic countryside.
Lexingtonians several miles away generally argue that Lexington Green, where Americans gathered earlier in the day to challenge the British, is the true starting point. The North Bridge's fame stems partly from the poem written and read by Ralph Waldo Emerson at a Concord Bridge memorial years later where he called this the site of the "shot heard 'round the world"
Lexingtonians several miles away generally argue that Lexington Green, where Americans gathered earlier in the day to challenge the British, is the true starting point. The North Bridge's fame stems partly from the poem written and read by Ralph Waldo Emerson at a Concord Bridge memorial years later where he called this the site of the "shot heard 'round the world"
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