Tag Archives: History
Joseph Smith III and Lineal Succession Claims to the Mormon Presidency
Perhaps no issue has been more controversial than presidential succession in the Latter-day Saint movement. Joseph Smith III, son of the Mormon founder, buttressed his ascension to the presidency of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints … Continue reading
Announcing “The NACA Centenary: A Symposium on 100 Years of Aerospace Research and Development”
On March 3, 1915, Congress established the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or N-A-C-A, “to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight with a view to their practical solution, and to determine the problems which should … Continue reading
The International Space Station and the Clash of Civilizations
As the operations on the International Space Station now move toward a score of years, it may be that this cooperative venture provides one of the clearest opportunities present for tying nation-states together. One is reminded of the quote from … Continue reading
An Account of the Evacuation of Nauvoo by the Mormons in 1846
After a lengthy period of conflict between the Mormons in Nauvoo, Illinois, and their non-Mormon neighbors, they negotiated a treaty, dated September 16, 1846, which gave the remaining Mormons five days to leave the city. A few days after this, on … Continue reading
Whither Space Astronomy?
The space age provided astronomers an opportunity to expand research far beyond the capabilities offered by ground-based observatories of earlier eras. During the 1960s they began using space-based technology to enhance humanity’s understanding of the universe. In addition to greatly enhanced … Continue reading
Core Identity and the Nineteenth Century Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
I have spent many years studying the history of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), renamed the Community of Christ in 2000. This was the most successful of any of the non-Utah variety of churches … Continue reading
The Mystique of the Space Suit
Wherever astronauts go, from the beginning of the human spaceflight program to the present, they have been characterized by their uniform. Nothing sets astronauts apart from ordinary Americans more than the physical existence of a space suit, and in this … Continue reading
MLB Off-Season Wheeling and Dealing: The St. Louis Cardinals in 1980-1981
There has been quite a lot of good sport-writing about the off-season deals being made this winter by several major league teams. The Chicago Cubs have made spectacular trades and signings and are poised to become a major force in … Continue reading
Chronology of Key Space Anniversaries for 2015
1945—70 Years Ago 4 July—The NACA’s Pilotless Aircraft Research Division (PARD) launched from Wallops Island, Maryland, its first test vehicle, a small two-stage, solid-fuel rocket to check out the installation’s instrumentation. The group soon began serious work to learn about … Continue reading
Thoughts on an Historical Essay Currently Underway: The Space Program and the Ideal of American Exceptionalism
I have been working on an essay, that I hope to publish someday with the following working title, “The Space Program and the Ideal of American Exceptionalism.” My definition of American exceptionalism emphasizes the perceived special national character of the U.S. as … Continue reading
