Bill Petro
https://billpetro.com/bio
History of Juneteenth
June Nineteenth, or Juneteenth, marks the celebration of the emancipation of African-American slaves in Texas in 1865. While the annual celebration started in Texas the following year in 1866 — and became an official Texas state holiday there in 1980 — this formerly obscure holiday is now observed across the United States and around the world. Yesterday, Congress and the President made it an official federal holiday. It is celebrated with church-centered celebrations, parades, fairs, backyard parties, games, contests, and cookouts.
Bill PetroPublished 7 days ago in FYI
History of D-Day
Why has D-Day captured the imagination of American consciousness for three-quarters of a century? On Twitter, the hashtag is #DDay77
Bill PetroPublished 18 days ago in FYI
History of the Golden Gate Bridge
This week we celebrate the 84th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. On May 27, 1937, the bridge opened to traffic after taking over five years to build. I remember asking my father when I was young:
Bill PetroPublished 30 days ago in FYI
History of Star Wars
The original Star Wars movie premiered on May 25, 1977. In November of 1976, I picked up a new science fiction novel called “Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker” by George Lucas. I did not know at the time that it was ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster, a popular sci-fi writer.
Bill PetroPublished about a month ago in Futurism
History of Mother’s Day
The person who initially was most active in opposing the celebration of Mother’s Day is the very person who started this holiday in the US.
Bill PetroPublished 2 months ago in FYI
History of the Liberation of Dachau
I remember what my father had told me of his involvement in the liberation of Dachau, shortly before he died in 1976. Some of his war buddies discovered the tribute site I’d created for him and called or emailed me to recount stories I’d not known previously, or only in part.
Bill PetroPublished 2 months ago in FYI
History of St. Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist is the author of the earliest written gospel, the Gospel of Mark, which appeared within about 30 years of the crucifixion of Jesus in the late AD ’60s. His feast day is April 25 for Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. He is significant historically both as the writer of the earliest Gospel and as the patron saint of Venice.
Bill PetroPublished 2 months ago in FYI
History of St George and the Dragon
Saint George’s Day is April 23, likely the day of his martyrdom. He is often depicted as a knight in armor. He is the patron saint of England, and his day has been celebrated there from the 9th century and more recently throughout the British Commonwealth… though he was not English and never visited England.
Bill PetroPublished 2 months ago in FYI
