American History

David Jahnke is the winner of the Maryland Daughters of American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History for 2013. He was nominated by the Governor William Paca DAR Chapter of Harford County. On March 23 at Hunt Valley Inn, Jahnke was presented with a $750 check for his outstanding achievements. He will compete in the national DAR contest in June. Jahnke is teaching U.S. History at Harford Technical High School. He began his teaching career in February 2001 by teaching U.S. Government, U.S. History and finally Advanced Placement U.S. History.

David Jahnke is the winner of the Maryland Daughters of American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History for 2013. He was nominated by the Governor William Paca DAR Chapter of Harford County. On March 23 at Hunt Valley Inn, Jahnke was presented with a $750 check for his outstanding achievements. He will compete in the national DAR contest in June. Jahnke is teaching U.S. History at Harford Technical High School. He began his teaching career in February 2001 by teaching U.S. Government, U.S. History and finally Advanced Placement U.S. History.

The opening of "American History X," which was reviewed in last Friday's Sun, was delayed until today. The full review is still available on the Web at http: // citysearch.sunspot.net/E/M/ BALMD/0000/01/82/cs1.html. Here is a summary:"American History X" has been dogged by so much controversy recently that filmgoers may wonder whether they should wear flak jackets and safety goggles.Well, doff those goggles and unzip the protective outerwear: The good news and the bad news is that "American History X" is nothing to be afraid of. Star Edward Norton plays skinhead teen-ager Derek Vinyard, whose most menacing attribute isn't his imposing physicality, it's his mind.

Stories from one of American history's most revered women, Clara Barton, filled the Fallston library April 11, when more than 50 people watched Mary Ann Jung portray Barton during a living history presentation that spanned Barton's brave life as a teacher, government worker, Civil War nurse and eventual founder of the American Red Cross. Through enthralling stories and interaction from the audience, Jung was able to portray Barton's independent spirit and perseverance despite meeting much opposition throughout her life.

With their fresh faces and soft cloth bodies, American Girl dolls have been a phenomenon since they were created in 1985. In addition to a unique look, each doll comes with its own story that teaches kids about American history. As every American Girl fan knows, there also is a series of books to complement the line of dolls. These books tell chatty, upbeat stories centered on life lessons and historical events. One title, Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure, details a young girl's trip on a steamer ship in 1906.

WASHINGTON -- With the close of Black History Month, African-Americans once again joke about being assigned the shortest month of the year to celebrate our history: "It figures that they give us February." As with most jokes, this one is underscored by truth. Many African-Americans question the scope of America's commitment to a fully inclusive democracy. Choosing February to celebrate Black History Month, then, is consistent with a perceived national inclination to reserve the fewest days possible to address the history, culture, strivings and aspirations of people of African descent.

The sharecropper of a bygone American era probably had little to be cheerful about, considering the cruel cycle of debt, the brutal poverty and backbreaking labor. Still, this particular "sharecropper" on this particular Thursday afternoon finds a way to be downright perky as he greets visitors to PassPort: Voyages of Discovery, but then the new Inner Harbor attraction is an upbeat kind of place. "I'm a sharecropper," says G. Scott Spence, offering a hearty handshake. Wearing blue overalls and straw hat and emitting the sort of vibes one seeks in motivational speakers, Spence ushers folks into "TimeElevator America," a combination cinematic history primer and amusement park ride now open for previews.

WASHINGTON -- Have you been to the Museum of American History?Not sure? It's the one with the pendulum swinging in the middle of it. Oh, yeah, now you remember. But hold on to that memory, because the pendulum's swing may soon be a part of history -- French history, not American.Like the endless swing of the piece that is at the center of this debate, Smithsonian scholars have swung back and forth over the need for this French bit of science."It's not American and it's not historical," said Steve Lubar, chairman of the division of the history of technology at the MAH. He said the argument over whether to get rid of the pendulum has been going on for about a decade but is now coming to a close.

The distributor of the film "American History X," reviewed in yesterday's Today section, has delayed the Baltimore opening of the movie until Friday.The Sun regrets the errors.Pub Date: 11/14/98American History X" has been dogged by so much controversy recently that filmgoers may wonder whether they should wear flak jackets and safety goggles to the theater. When New Line Cinema and star Edward Norton began editing the movie themselves, its director, Tony Kaye, asked that his name be removed (at one point suggesting the pseudonym "Humpty Dumpty")

One hundred fifty years ago today, two great armies clashed in a titanic struggle that would decide the fate of a nation. "Around a cornfield and a little white Dunker church, around a stone bridge and in a pasture lane worn by cow paths, surged a human tornado," wrote Carl Sandburg many years later. Never before or since has such a deadly concentration of firepower been unleashed on the American continent. The Battle of Antietam, waged across a meandering stream called Antietam Creek in Western Maryland near Hagerstown, was the first great turning point of the American Civil War and the bloodiest single day of combat ever waged on U.S. soil.

Valley Brook Community Church will celebrate African American history with "Thus Far By Faith," Sunday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. at 7065 Deepage Drive, in Columbia. This special service, which includes song, poetry and worship, celebrates God's faithfulness through the journey of African Americans. The commemoration will culminate in a free soul food dinner at the church's Fellowship Hall, at 3333 Spencerville Road, in Burtonsville. The art of Randy Walters will be featured. For more information, call 301-476-9499,

Author's note: This piece concerns racial healing in America. It is submitted as we continue to mourn the incomprehensible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. May those families, that community, and the nation that grieves with them know the comfort that only faith can provide. An open letter to Drew and Josh Ehrlich, from your parents: Both of you have children of different races and ethnicities in your schools. They are your classmates, teammates and friends.

In the wake of Mitt Romney's loss to President Barack Obama, many in the Republican Party are soul-searching, to determine where their man went wrong in his attempt to attract a majority of voters. Was it because he was stiff and un-relatable or because he seemed willing to take any position to get elected? Or that he should not have attempted to coast over the finish line after a strong first debate performance? One key area being examined is why Republicans nominated a candidate from big business as the nation was trying to recover from a recession that many think was brought on largely by the excesses of big business (i.e.

For much of this election campaign, and during two previous two-term presidencies, I, like letter writer Alan Walden ("A stranger in his own land," Nov. 9), felt like a stranger in my own land. I have found myself asking, "Am I really this out of touch with what most Americans believe?" Faced with the apparent popularity of presidents and presidential aspirants espousing agendas rooted in fear, superstition, a rejection or ignorance of American history and science, and a blind faith in "business" as a cure-all for the nation's problems, I have felt dismayed.

Dr. Bertram Wyatt-Brown, an acclaimed and influential professor of American history who wrote widely on Southern history and culture and whose book on honor in the antebellum South was a 1983 Pulitzer Prize finalist, died Monday of pulmonary fibrosis at Roland Park Place. He was 80. "Bert was a seminal figure in American history. His book 'Southern Honor' is one of the landmarks. No one doing graduate work in history can't, because of him, appreciate how honor permeated the Old Southern life," said Dr. Jean Harvey Baker, a noted Baltimore historian and author who teaches American history at Goucher College.

With 'Drunk History,' Lutherville's Derek Waters has a tipsy hit Five years ago, Lutherville native Derek Waters was a struggling comedian in Los Angeles. Like thousands before him, he had dreams of being cast on "Saturday Night Live" or making it in Hollywood as a funny guy. But Waters wasn't having much luck. "My auditions were like, 'Stoned Guy No. 7' and 'Drunk-looking Guy No. 8,'" Waters, 33, said. "So I could've been bitter about it or write my own stuff, like shorts and sketches.

CUMBERLAND -- When the women from the Baltimore museum arrive, Miss Romaine Denson Franklin smells like a flower and looks as pretty as a porcelain doll. She's even more promising in person than any artifacts or antiques yet assembled for the new African-American collection. The museum's registrar and exhibits manager help her into the car and drive her to dinner at the Rocky Gap Lodge. The next morning, they will pick her up for church. It's hugs every time they meet, kisses every time they say good-bye.

As one progresses north at 50 mph - careful, not a smidgen faster - along the immaculately maintained Natchez Trace Parkway, beside densely wooded forests in southern Mississippi and over the rolling hills of Alabama and Tennessee, the primary sensation is serenity.Could there possibly be a more soothing travel experience? And is there any wonder that this 434.2-mile, two-lane connection between Natchez, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn. - introducing an ever-changing panorama of scenic, recreational and cultural treasures - was selected as one of the first six All-American roadways by the Department of Transportation?

One hundred fifty years ago today, two great armies clashed in a titanic struggle that would decide the fate of a nation. "Around a cornfield and a little white Dunker church, around a stone bridge and in a pasture lane worn by cow paths, surged a human tornado," wrote Carl Sandburg many years later. Never before or since has such a deadly concentration of firepower been unleashed on the American continent. The Battle of Antietam, waged across a meandering stream called Antietam Creek in Western Maryland near Hagerstown, was the first great turning point of the American Civil War and the bloodiest single day of combat ever waged on U.S. soil.

The Governor William Paca Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has selected a Jayme Hill for Outstanding Teacher of American History. Hill also was selected as the second place winner at the state level for this honor. Hill is a teacher of United States history and government at Harford Technical High School. She has been teaching for 10 years and has been recognized for her excellence as a teacher and as a mentor by her peers and supervisors. Outside the classroom, Hill has made public appearances talking about Baltimore City history and has participated in extensive continuing education.