Constitution Day is a celebration of the US Constitution, observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. More details here. In this clip from Star Trek (Omega Glory episode), the Constitution is rediscovered (in a parallel existence) after a long period of misinterpretation, and only Kirk knows … [Read more...]
Happy Convention of States Day!
On September 15, 1787, George Mason identified a serious oversight in the nearly-completed Constitution. As Article V had originally been drafted, it only allowed Congress to propose Constitutional amendments. But what if one day Congress were to become corrupt? The people would need another way to rein in its power. So the framers added an option to Article V allowing the … [Read more...]
Boatlift: An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience
Tom Hanks narrates the epic story of the 9/11 boatlift that evacuated half a million people from the stricken piers and seawalls of Lower Manhattan. This short film is a good example of how free people respond in a crisis. Per the Huffington Post, "As panicked crowds rushed to find refuge from the area around the World Trade Center, many soon found themselves at the water’s … [Read more...]
The Other 9/11 Story Told In ’13 Hours’
On September 11th, 2012, anniversary of 9/11, Islamic militants attacked and overran the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, setting it on fire and killing US Ambassador Christopher Stephens. What led up to that event is an extraordinary degree of hubris and incompetence on the part of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who attempted to promote democracy in Libya … [Read more...]
Happy Jury Rights Day!
Jury Rights Day, held on September 5th, is a celebration of the independence of juries, established as a result of the 'William Penn Trial', which took place on this day in 1670. Here are five short films celebrating jury nullification, the assertion of a juror's right to "nullify" bad law by refusing to convict, even where evidence is clear. … [Read more...]
Perfect Film For Labor Day
Celebrate Labor Day by watching On the Waterfront, about a heroic few who stand alone against the corrupt bosses of a powerful union. This film won an incredible EIGHT Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Available on Amazon streaming. Or check out this list of libertarian films on the subject of labor unions, monopolies, and cartels. … [Read more...]
John Locke: Happy Angel Birthday!
John Locke was born on August 29th, 1632. He has been called the “Father of Classical Liberalism” and is arguably the most influential libertarian thinker in history. His ideas — including the concept of “life, liberty, and property” — inspired the American Revolution as well as the modern concept of “social tolerance.” Here are five excellent short films on his ideas and … [Read more...]
Marilyn Monroe’s Unlikely Defender: Ayn Rand
When Marilyn Monroe died -- over half a century ago, on August 5th, 1962 -- of an apparent suicide, it was Ayn Rand who came to her defense, savaging popular culture for treating Marilyn Monroe with insufficient respect. Per the Atlas Society, "While the two could be viewed as different as night and day, at least physically, it was Rand who seemingly 'got' Monroe, not only her … [Read more...]
Raoul Wallenberg: Happy Angel Birthday!
Raoul Wallenberg, born on August 4th, 1912 in Sweden, a hero who saved thousand of Jews in WWII, has been nearly forgotten but you can remember him this day with a good film that he himself liked. When Hitler began rounding up the Jews in Hungary in 1944, Wallenberg faced down the Nazi death machine with nothing more than courage and paper, partly by mass manufacturing fake … [Read more...]
Battle Of Athens (TN) Remembered In “An American Story”
The Battle of Athens (TN) was a rebellion against corrupt local government that took place on August 1-2, 1946, in which WWII veterans fought local police over police brutality and election manipulation. Fresh from restoring democracy abroad, they were not about to see it destroyed at home, and they defended the ballot box just the way Uncle Sam taught them to. The battle is … [Read more...]