I haven’t dragged David “Uncle Dave” Brooks over here for a long time. He was irritating during the presidential election, trying to find ways to stay on Mitt Romney’s side—every once in a while he gave it up for the President, but I think Uncle Dave was always pulling for…
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I enjoyed watching and listening to the inauguration of President Obama this time even more than the first time. In 2009, we knew we were seeing a history-making event. His election both represented and caused a developmental leap in the American psyche. I never thought his re-election would be easy.…
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This is a repost from last year… but an important reminder of the formation and role of the Sixth Massachusetts with many volunteers who were Lowell millworkers. MassMoments reminds us that on this day – January 21, 1861 – the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was formally organized. In early January 1861, as…
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While January is typically a time for taking the oath of office and not kicking off a campaign, 2013 is a very different year. In the next twenty-two months we’ll have three very important elections (with at least two and possibly three primaries). When you add in the Elizabeth Warren…
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It was a frigidly cold but sunny Inauguration Day morning that January 20 of 1961… a fierce snow storm had hit the DC area the night before creating chaos. The parade was nearly cancelled… the U.S. Army had to clear the snow-covered streets. Former President Herbert Hoover missed the event because his…
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In 1958, the League of Women Voters published a pamphlet with results of a survey about Lowell, which was intended to provide “general background on which citizens can base informed opinions and take intelligent action on local governmental issues.” The pamphlet was produced with financial assistance from the First Federal…
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President Obama’s Second Inaugural public ceremony will take place on Monday January 21, 2013. Later that evening there will be two official Inaugural Balls and countless receptions, galas and parties. There is always great anticipation about the First Lady’s gown. The display of these gowns from the past is one…
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Governor Patrick gave a succinct state of the state speech this evening. He spoke mainly about the importance of upgrading our transportation and education systems and said that “since we all have a stake in the future, we should all be willing to invest in it now.” To fund that…
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On January 7, 1889, Mayor Charles D. Palmer delivered his inaugural address to the two branches of the City Council (the Common Council and the Board of Aldermen). The Mayor covered many topics in his remarks, from city finances (cash in the treasury as of Dec. 31, 1888: $59,265.27 [a…
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UMass Lowell professor Bob Forrant kindly brought the following quote to our attention on the occasion of the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, January 15, 1929. “The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. Out of its bold struggles,…
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