Harvey Winters’ Post

Lifting up my relative General John Fulton Reynolds on this Memorial Day (along with the connection between the Civil War and civil rights). A respected senior commander in the Union Army, Reynolds was key in committing the Army to the Battle of Gettysburg (where he unfortunately died). Resistant to the politics of Washington, D.C., Reynolds previously declined President Abraham Lincoln’s request that he command the Army of the Potomac (the penchant to buck bureaucracy remains strong in his family). Today, you can see him standing resolutely in places throughout Pennsylvania (including in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall). Many think that the Civil War was a long ago moment in time - separate and apart from who we are today. Columbia University Professor Barbara Fields corrects this misguided notion: “I think what we need to remember, most of all, is that the Civil War is not over until we, today, have done our part in fighting it, as well as understanding what happened when the Civil War generation fought it. William Faulkner said once that history is not “was,” it’s “is,” and what we need to remember about the Civil War is that the Civil War “is,” in the present, as well as the past. The generation that fought the war, the generation that argued over the definition of the war, the generation that had to pay the price in blood, that had to pay the price in blasted hopes and a lost future also established a standard that will not mean anything until we finish the work. You can say there’s no such thing as slavery anymore, we’re all citizens. But if we’re all citizens, then we have a task to do to make sure that that, too, is not a joke. If some citizens live in houses and others live on the street, the Civil War is still going on. It’s still to be fought, and regrettably, it can still be lost.” #CivilWar #civilrights #historylives #justice #Pennsylvania

I’m honored to be featured in The New Republic's review discussing the importance of Harriet Tubman and the understudied battles of the Civil War. Check out the article here and grab a copy of "COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War” to learn more about Tubman’s leadership during the Civil War.

2024 – What Would The American Forefathers Be Thinking And Actioning? It's impossible to say definitively how the Founding Fathers would handle the situation in America in 2024. They operated in a vastly different context, with distinct values, priorities, and political realities. However, we can speculate based on their writings, actions, and the principles they laid out.  Document: https://lnkd.in/gUKeKqTq

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: - 𝟭.) 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁, experiencing slavery in Kentucky as a kid, but sent back to Pennsylvania because you taught yourself to read; - 𝟮.) 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 during the Civil War, but given no credit because the Militia Act in-place at the time did not allow Black people to fight; - 𝟯.) 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 when learning they're forming a Colored Regiment, only to face racism there and being used by Connecticut as a quota count by writing on your enlistment papers that you're from Stonington; - 𝟰.) 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 with your regiment at the end of the Civil War in 1865, only for Connecticut residents to vote to leave the word "White" in the state constitution as a requirement to vote; - 𝟱.) 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 of Connecticut's Old State House with your regiment, only for the state to erase that history; - 𝟲.) 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟲𝟳, documenting your experiences, which is then used for decades by other authors and media producers to depict the experience of the Black soldier during the Civil War, but you are rarely given credit; - 𝟳.) 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟴𝟮, buried in a Colored Cemetery in Woodbury, NJ, only for that Cemetery to be paved over to make a parking lot in 1962; - 𝟴.) 𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 in New Haven, CT celebrating the Connecticut Regiment you served on, but your name is left off; 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘄, I learn you were a political activist, involved in local government by becoming a delegate for Independent voters unhappy with the New Jersey state legislature. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗰... 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱. Still walking... #Life

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: - 𝟭.) 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁, experiencing slavery in Kentucky as a kid, but sent back to Pennsylvania because you taught yourself to read; - 𝟮.) 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 during the Civil War, but given no credit because the Militia Act in-place at the time did not allow Black people to fight; - 𝟯.) 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 when learning they're forming a Colored Regiment, only to face racism there and being used by Connecticut as a quota count by writing on your enlistment papers that you're from Stonington; - 𝟰.) 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 with your regiment at the end of the Civil War in 1865, only for Connecticut residents to vote to leave the word "White" in the state constitution as a requirement to vote; - 𝟱.) 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 of Connecticut's Old State House with your regiment, only for the state to erase that history; - 𝟲.) 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟲𝟳, documenting your experiences, which is then used for decades by other authors and media producers to depict the experience of the Black soldier during the Civil War, but you are rarely given credit; - 𝟳.) 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟴𝟴𝟮, buried in a Colored Cemetery in Woodbury, NJ, only for that Cemetery to be paved over to make a parking lot in 1962; - 𝟴.) 𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 in New Haven, CT celebrating the Connecticut Regiment you served on, but your name is left off; 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘄, I learn you were a political activist, involved in local government by becoming a delegate for Independent voters unhappy with the New Jersey state legislature. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗰... 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱. Still walking... #Life

55 Stories, One Nation: Celebrating July 4th Nearly 250 years ago in Philadelphia, a fledgling America boldly declared independence from Britain to forge what the United States Constitution later deemed "a more perfect Union." Today, we understand that America's story isn't a single narrative but a tapestry woven from diverse histories. It encompasses the struggles and triumphs of countless individuals and communities who have shaped the nation's identity. This Fourth of July, delve into stories from every single state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and Guam. By sharing these stories, we honor our civic duty to embrace the full spectrum of American history and preserve the places integral to our collective identity. https://ow.ly/A78350StBSb

As we commemorate the 248th anniversary of our independence, it is important to reflect on the sacrifices and struggles that our forefathers endured to secure our freedom. We must remember that our liberty was not easily won, and we must always be vigilant in defending it against any threats or challenges. Throughout history, our nation has faced numerous obstacles and adversaries, but we have always stood strong and united in the face of adversity. Our founding principles of freedom, democracy, and equality continue to guide us as we strive to create a more perfect union. As we celebrate Independence Day, let us honor the brave men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country. Let us also reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values and ideals that make America a beacon of hope and opportunity for people around the world. In the words of President Ronald Reagan, "We will not go quietly into the night, we will not go without a fight." Let us continue to proudly celebrate our independence and stand as defenders of liberty for generations to come.

🎆Happy (almost) Quarter-Kiloyear(KY)🎆 [250 years = one quarter-KY] 248 years ago on 7-2-1776 the delegates of the Continental Congress voted in favor of being done with kings (King George III of England in particular). The Declaration document itself was largely written by Thomas Jefferson and was signed by two delegates (Charles Thompson and John Hancock) on 7-4-1776. A month later, on August 2, 1776 the other delegates signed, resulting in parchment paper bearing 56 delegate signatures. The first annual celebration(s) in 1777 were held in Boston and Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, cannons lit up the night sky. They fired 13 times to represent the 13 original colonies. Subsequent early annual celebrations featured mock funerals of/"for" King George III. In 1796 George Washington wrote a speech that he delivered on paper to the American people. It was printed in Mount Vernon. He explained why he wasn't seeking a third term— and wanted to set that precedent—in keeping with the ideals and principles of The Declaration. He called upon all of us to remain united for the sake of the experiment. It was his farewell address. https://lnkd.in/gVD6AVD5 -- -- Two years from today, July 4, 2026... it will be the true quarter-KY of our still-relatively-new experiment called The United States of America. I wonder what the vision for the next quarter-KY will be in '26? #History #UnitedStates #Independence #Freedom #Decisions #Declarations #Leadership #TheFuture -- -- Assembly Room of Independence Hall — Independence National Historic Park

Today, we join the nation in honoring and remembering the 2,977 lives that were lost on September 11, 2001. Learn more about the events of this significant day in American history: https://lnkd.in/ex-ximi

Memorial Day is one of the most important days we recognize as citizens of the United States of America. This quote by Harry S. Truman helps us understand that it is our duty to reflect on and express our gratitude for the service of those who have fought to protect our rights and freedoms. Many individuals have given their lives to enshrine the daily comforts and feelings of happiness we are able to enjoy, and we should never take this for granted. Originally, this day celebrated the end of the Civil War, but it now acts as a solemn reminder of all that we have fought for as a nation throughout our proud history: freedom, liberty, democracy, and fairness. Pausing regular life to remember the sacrifices of those who came before and celebrating all that we have yet to do as a great nation is one small way to show our understanding of the complex and painful histories we represent as a nation. When so much of the world is experiencing so much grief, we owe it to ourselves to reflect on our own past and all that we have worked together to protect and provide for the citizens of the United States. This Memorial Day, as we enjoy the beginning of summer, let us also solemnly consider our ongoing responsibility to uphold and fight for those values that comprise this beautiful country: freedom, fairness, and equality for all. #memorialday #freedom #equalityforall