American History Central

What did Ken Burns' 'The American Revolution' miss? A thread. This is NOT, 'What did Burns get wrong?' It IS, 'What could have been added to tell a deeper, more nuanced story?' Here we go👇

OPENING DAY IS HERE! 😍

@trywaytenn @HistoryWJacob Thank you!

@AHC1776 @HistoryWJacob I'm on board. Lifting up prayer for your recovery.

Thanks to @HistoryWJacob, I picked up some new followers over the past few days. Here are 15 things I will share about AHC. 1. I have opinions. I rarely share them here. If I do, chances are it has something to do with events before 1899. 2. I have come to really like Teddy Roosevelt. Like him, I am an independent historian. I studied journalism/advertising/history, and have spent 35 years in the business. 3. I read old books and use text/images from them in the entries on the website. 4. Howard Pyle is a genius. Followed closely by NC Wyeth. I really enjoy art and will go on streaks where I post artwork. 5. I am fascinated with old graveyards. The oldest one I've visited is probably in Salem, Mass. Also, battlefields. My favorite battlefield I've visited so far is Kings Mountain. The two big ones I need to get to are Lexington & Concord and Saratoga. 6. My people have been in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia since the Colonial Era. Because of this, I know there are two sides to every story (I'm looking at you, Civil War), but I try not to take sides unless I feel I've done enough research. Case in point, I believe the British fired first at Lexington (read the eyewitness accounts). 7. The Freemasons kicked Benedict Arnold out in a meeting that was held at an ancestor's house in New York. I have a few other really cool stories about my ancestors, who were often standing in the background while important events unfolded. 8. I love baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately, I also love the Cleveland Browns. 9. I have no one to talk to about history, so people on here are my 'history friends.' 10. I have built more online encyclopedias than any one person. 11. AHC is the legacy of my professional career, but it is a work in progress. I have thousands of entries that are waiting to be reviewed, expanded, and published. 12. I have been fighting cancer for 6+ years, which makes #11 a little difficult at the moment. 13. Facts are stubborn things. 14. My favorite books are Cold Mountain, Lord of the Rings, John Adams, and 1776. My favorite essay is In Distrust of Movements. 15. My favorite movies are Star Wars, Godfather, Lord of the Rings, Cold Mountain, Gettysburg, and The Patriot.

@SalinaBBaker I just pre-ordered the Kindle version and also the Kindle version of @ncirish2002's book about Kings Mountain. I'm glad to add them to my library!

Good morning! I woke up to see that the ebook for my biographical novel about Dr. Joseph Warren, that's up on Amazon for pre-order is the Top New Release in Biographies of the American Revolution! The paperback and hardcover will be available for pre-order in May. Release date is July 28, 2026.

I am starting a new series today: The most legendary quote from each President 🇺🇸 “I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound.” - George Washington, 1st President

I’ll be signing books on Saturday (3/28) at 1 pm at the Barnes & Noble in Cranberry Twp, PA - The Year That Made America (about the Declaration of Independence) as well as Flight 93, Our Flag Was Still There and Armistead and Hancock. Stop by!

@EtzkornRich @HistoryWJacob Yes, I know all about it. I remember when it was still called the Civil War Battlefield Trust.

@AHC1776 @HistoryWJacob If you enjoy American battlefields, you should look into The American Battlefield Trust. battlefields.org

@scvic_travels @HistoryWJacob Yes, McCullough's book.

@AHC1776 @HistoryWJacob John Adams by David McCullough? If so, that’s a great book. I’ve read many of his books, but have some still to read. I think my favorite may still be Undaunted Courage by Stephen E Ambrose.

@ZitoSalena When I was a kid, yes. It's been so long that all I can remember is that I read it. I recall zero details. It's an unfortunate side effect of chemo treatments. I just have blank spaces in my memories.

@AHC1776 You have to! Have you read the frontiersmen?

Simon Kenton was a Frontiersman, scout, and soldier who is most famous for helping defend Kentucky settlers from the late Colonial Era to the Early Republic. Kenton is one of the most important figures of the early era of Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, and was associated with Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark. His story is fascinating and includes being present when Chief Logan delivered his famous, and heartbreaking, 'appeal to any white man.' This is known as 'Logan's Lament.' Read it on AHC.

Check out Frank's work. These are amazing.

@RealFrankPorcu @HistoryWJacob WOW. Those are fantastic! I never experimented with sculpting in my HS art classes, but the field is fascinating.

@AHC1776 @HistoryWJacob Here's some pre 1899 portraits, made well,...sometime after 1899. 😉

@ZitoSalena Kenton is one I want to know more about, seeing as he has such close ties to my area. His grave is about 45 minutes from here. I need to go visit.

@AHC1776 Oh, I have a somewhat obsession with Simon written about him a bunch of times even went to a Simon Kenton Festival in Maysville Kentucky

Logan's Lament: “I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan’s cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, Logan is the friend of the white men. I have even thought to live with you but for the injuries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This has called on me for revenge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. — Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.”

Jedediah Smith's connection to Ohio: Smith’s father was a store owner, originally from New Hampshire. In 1810, the family moved to Erie County, Pennsylvania. By the time he was 13, Smith was working on a freighter on Lake Erie as a clerk. At some point, he was given a copy of a book about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which inspired him to go West. According to legend, Smith carried the book with him for the rest of his life. The Smith family eventually moved to the Western Reserve region of Ohio and settled in Ashland County. Learn more about Jedediah Smith on AHC. See below.

I am a very big fan of Jedediah Smith.

@trywaytenn @HVNYrefugee One of the best, along with Bridger, Carson, Fitzpatrick, Colter, and many more who aren't coming to mind at the moment.

@HVNYrefugee A true mountain man if there ever was one!

The big problem in America, actually, is that nobody knows who Jedediah Smith is anymore.

@RobHilliard_66 Also, everyone is LOUD.

@AHC1776 My family has been here for at least six generations. What you wrote above is basically every conversation at a family gathering.

Mrs. AHC is from the Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh Dad is funny because...

Well, I guess my opinion on baseball is clear. LOL.

I've spent most of my life playing baseball, coaching baseball, or watching my sons play. Yes, it can be frustrating at times, but it is, IMO, the greatest game, with the greatest moments, and the greatest rewards.