Historically Speaking: America’s ambition(less?) vice presidents

Tom Morrow • February 12, 2025

The historic list of the American vice presidents is riddled with “forgettable” politicians who have made little or no contribution to United States history other than taking up space on dusty pages that are not much of scholarly interest.

Historically Speaking: Merry holiday song was composed by artist with local ties

Tom Morrow • December 31, 2024

One of the great friendships I made during my half-century of covering entertainment personalities was with Hall of Fame song writer Hugh Martin, who lived for many years in North San Diego County, including Encinitas. His most memorable work was for the 1945 Warner Brothers’ Judy Garland film “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Historically Speaking: Christmas of yesteryear in the Middle West

Tom Morrow • December 24, 2024

Today’s anticipated Christmas booty would never appear on the dreamscape of most youngsters during the 1940s or early ’50s. What toy land wonders we didn’t know about in those days weren’t missed. Comparatively speaking, post-World War II vintage toys were, at best, primitive.

Historically Speaking: 1800 to 2024, we’ve had ugly elections before

Tom Morrow • October 31, 2024

For those of you who think the upcoming election of 2024 is going to be a real donnybrook, you probably didn't read about the Election of 1800, which came close to tearing our nation apart. The election, which was held from Oct. 31 to Dec. 3 of that year, was sometimes called the “Revolution of 1800.”

Historically Speaking: Uncle Sam, the patriotic American icon

Tom Morrow • September 30, 2024

The national personification of the United States federal government was the creation of a U.S. Army recruiting poster during World War I.

Historically Speaking: The raucous Democratic convention of 1968

Tom Morrow • August 31, 2024

The election of 1968 was one of the closest ever in American history, with Nixon winning 31.7 million votes, Humphrey 31.2 million votes and Wallace a few more than 10 million votes. Compared to the 1968 convention, with its many similarities, the 2024 convention in Chicago was relatively calm. To be sure, no matter how it’s read, the year 1968 was a dark time in our American history.

Historically Speaking: Olympic gold and what ‘could have been’

Tom Morrow • July 31, 2024

The 2024 Olympics opened last week in Paris, but a lot of history has taken place during the last century that is worthy of note. Here are two stories I told you about in past columns.

Historically Speaking: Betsy Ross, an original American patriot

Tom Morrow • June 30, 2024

In case you missed this particular class in third grade, let me tell you about a true American patriot: Elizabeth Griscom “Betsy” Ross, who was born Jan. 1, 1752.

Historically Speaking: The man who helped build baseball, and influenced San Diego

Tom Morrow • May 31, 2024

American baseball owes a great deal of its existence to Albert Goodwill Spalding. You may have seen the name Spalding on a number of sports equipment, namely baseballs, players’ gloves and a number of other related sports items, including rule and history books. Spalding played, managed and owned baseball teams and was the co-founder of today’s National League. He even has ties to San Diego.

Historically Speaking: The night one magic master met another

Tom Morrow • April 10, 2024

For those who don’t know it, the late KGTV Channel 10 news anchor Jack White not only was a class act as a news reporter, but he was a master magician as well.

Historically Speaking: Truckee and Des Moines, the history behind the names

Tom Morrow • March 19, 2024

There’s a good deal of obscure city names scattered across America that are derived from either native inhabitants or from early 17th and 18th century French explorers and trappers. Here are two more examples: Truckee and Des Moines.

Historically Speaking: Betsy Ross, an original American patriot

Tom Morrow • February 21, 2024

In case you missed this particular class in third grade, let me tell you about a true American patriot: Elizabeth Griscom “Betsy” Ross, who was born Jan. 1, 1752.