When Catholics first came to America in large numbers, very few people would associate with them. This lead to catholics forming their own societies. The Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of Hibernians are two such groups. These groups are steeped in history. Join me as I discuss the history of these groups.

Father Michael McGivney, Knights of Columbus founder, moves closer to sainthood. (2020, June 3). Retrieved May 15, 2026, from Dioceseofcleveland.org website: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/news/2020/06/03/father-michael-mcgivney-knights-of-columbus-founder-moves-closer-to-sainthood

Jim. (2018, November 7). THE FOUNDING OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN AMERICA | AOH Home of the Brooklyn Irish. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from Brooklynirish.org website: https://brooklynirish.org/2018/11/07/the-founding-of-the-ancient-order-of-hibernians-in-america/

Jirak, A. (2025). History of Knights of Columbus. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from St Thomas More Catholic Church website: https://stmmanhattan.com/knights-of-columbus/103-history

Life of Father McGivney | Knights of Columbus. (2024, July 26). Retrieved May 15, 2026, from Fathermcgivney.org website: https://www.fathermcgivney.org/his-life/#tabset=tabset-sticky-tabset&tab=tab-block-24542

Riecke, D. (2004). The Legacy of the Past, The Reality of the Present, The Hope for theFuture. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from Kofc-ms.org website: https://www.kofc-ms.org/about/dennis.htm

Roach, B. (2018). Catholic Online. Retrieved May 15, 2026, from Catholic Online website: https://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=77209

Fraternal orginzations have a long history in this country. Freemasons especially have left a mark in this country's history. Many founding fathers were freemasons. Many have been involved in the Oddfellows. Some have joined the elks. Join me as I discuss the history of these fraternal organizations.

Famous Masons | The Grand Lodge of Maryland. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from mdmasons.org website: https://mdmasons.org/about-md-masons/famous-masons/

Freemasonry | George Washington’s Mount Vernon. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from www.mountvernon.org website: https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/freemasonry

Hanes, E. (2016, March 7). 9 Lesser-Known Political Parties | HISTORY. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from HISTORY website: https://www.history.com/articles/election-101-9-lesser-known-political-parties

History. (2017, September 20). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Independent Order of Odd Fellows website: https://odd-fellows.org/history/

History of American Odd Fellowship. (2018, January 6). Retrieved from Independent Order of Odd Fellows website: https://odd-fellows.org/history/wildeys-odd-fellowship/

History of Freemasonry. (n.d.-a). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Massachusetts Freemasons website: https://massfreemasonry.org/what-is-freemasonry/history-of-freemasonry/

History of Freemasonry. (n.d.-b). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Masons of California website: https://freemason.org/history/

Kiefer, J. (2025, June 19). Odd Fellows Notable Members | Historical Figures. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Independent Order of Odd Fellows website: https://odd-fellows.org/history/notable-odd-fellows

Lilley, G. H. (2020, April 2). A List of Famous Freemasons You Need To See. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from George H Lilley website: https://www.ghlilley.com.au/blogs/news/famous-freemasons?srsltid=AfmBOoqvI0wuOpQoB1I-TH-VdT5pZ1ZuBkjJ1KRDWkH3_VhF1zNjIPwJ

Order of Odd Fellows and Grand United Order of Odd Fellows | Fellowship | A Nation of Joiners | Explore | Join In: Voluntary Assocations in America | Exhibitions at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress. (2026). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from The Library of Congress website: https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/join-in-voluntary-associations-in-america/about-this-exhibition/a-nation-of-joiners/fellowship/order-of-odd-fellows-and-grand-united-order-of-odd-fellows/

Our History. (2025). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Elks.org website: https://www.elks.org/who/ourHistory.cfm

Rotondi, J. P. (2020, December 9). 7 Things You May Not Know About Freemasons | HISTORY. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from HISTORY website: https://www.history.com/articles/freemasons-facts-symbols-handshake-meaning

Stezano, M. (2018, December 19). One Man Exposed the Secrets of the Freemasons. His Disappearance Led to Their Downfall | HISTORY. Retrieved May 8, 2026, from HISTORY website: https://www.history.com/articles/freemason-secrets-revealed

The history of the Oddfellows. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from The Oddfellows website: https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/about/history/

The Stonemasons: History and Origin of Modern Freemasonry. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2026, from Scottish Rite, NMJ website: https://scottishritenmj.org/blog/history-modern-freemasonry

I'm sure many of us know someone who has claimed to have seen a UFO, an Unidentified Flying Object. This phenomenon is nothing new. UFOs have been seen all through out history. They even go back to colonial America. Join me as I discuss the history of UFO sightings in America

I'm sure many of us know people who have claimed to have seen a bigfoot, a legendary ape man who allegedly inhabits the Pacific Northwest and other locations across the U.S. Bigfoot is just one example of a cryptid, a legendary creature whose existance is rumored but is not aknowledged by science. Many states have their own cryptids. Join me as I discuss some American cryptids.

\r\n Meet the Fearsome Critters - tall tale folklore’s fantastical beasts! | Mythfolks\r\n. (2026). Retrieved April 24, 2026, from Mythfolks.com website: https://www.mythfolks.com/fearsome-critters

abookofcreatures. (2019, April 15). Fearsome Critters – Page 2 – A Book of Creatures. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from A Book of Creatures website: https://abookofcreatures.com/category/fearsome-critters/page/2/

Ansorge, M. (2024, December 11). Echoes of Connie (2024) – Soundscapes. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from Valleysoundscapes.org website: https://www.valleysoundscapes.org/echoes-of-connie-2024/

Fish, M. (2023, May). The 50 Creepy Creatures From Each State That You Never Want To Run Into. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from FANGORIA website: https://www.fangoria.com/the-creepiest-creatures-from-each-state/

Johnson, C., & Munn, D. (2024). Jersey Devil - Fact or Fiction? | Atlantic County, NJ. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from Atlanticcountynj.gov website: https://www.atlanticcountynj.gov/government/government-information/history-of-atlantic-county/jersey-devil-fact-or-fiction

Mark. (2017). The Jersey Devil | Weird NJ. Retrieved from Weirdnj.com website: https://weirdnj.com/stories/jersey-devil

Pinelands Preservation Alliance. (n.d.). The Jersey Devil and Folklore. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from Pinelands Preservation Alliance website: https://pinelandsalliance.org/learn-about-the-pinelands/pinelands-history-and-culture/the-jersey-devil-and-folklore/

The Connecticut River Serpent. (2017, October 10). Retrieved April 24, 2026, from Strange New England website: https://www.strange-new-england.com/2017/10/09/the-connecticut-river-serpent/

The True Story Behind The Mothman of West Virginia - US Ghost Adventures. (2022, October 21). Retrieved from US Ghost Adventures website: https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/31-days-of-halloween/the-true-story-behind-the-mothman-of-west-virginia/

Copper and lead have been important too humanity for centuries. Copper made tools and lead made bullets. These materials had to be extracted from the ground. People have mined lead and copper for centuries. Join me as I discover how lead and copper have been mined in the United States.

60 Centuries of Copper: The Flotation Process. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.copper.org website: https://www.copper.org/education/history/60centuries/modern/theflotation.html

Copper in the USA: US History. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from www.copper.org website: https://www.copper.org/education/history/us-history/g_fact_us.html

Extracting Lead Materials from Ore -. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Nuclead website: https://nuclead.com/leadmaterials/

How does the copper flotation process work? - Prominer (Shanghai) Mining Technology Co.,Ltd. (2025, September 6). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Prominer website: https://www.prominetech.com/news/how-does-the-copper-flotation-process-work/

Kurtti, J. (2018, January 24). Finns in Michigan - Finland abroad. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from finlandabroad website: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/finns-in-michigan

Lead Mining | Iowa PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from www.iowapbs.org website: https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapathways/mypath/2659/lead-mining

Michigan Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Michiganology website: https://michiganology.org/stories/michigan-copper/

Timeline of Michigan Copper Mining Prehistory to 1850 - Keweenaw National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service). (2016). Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Nps.gov website: https://www.nps.gov/kewe/learn/historyculture/copper-mining-timeline.htm

W. R. Ingalls (1907) Chronology of Lead-Mining in the United States

Coal has made quite a mark on the history of this country. Coal powered the railroads for many years. Coal produces electricity for houses. Coal mines have employed millions through the years. Miners faced many hardships and help build this country. Join me as I discuss the history of coal mining

References

Coal Culture Timeline. (2024). Retrieved April 10, 2026, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania website: https://www.iup.edu/library/departments/archives/coal/coal-culture-timeline.html

Company Towns | Slavery By Another Name Bento | PBS. (2017). Retrieved from Company Towns | Slavery By Another Name Bento | PBS website: https://www.pbs.org/tpt/slavery-by-another-name/themes/company-towns/

Evans, M. A., & Ramani, R. V. (2019). Coal mining - Choosing a mining method | Britannica. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/coal-mining/Choosing-a-mining-method

Knies, J. L. (n.d.). Library Guides: Anthracite Coal Mining Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Home. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from guides.libraries.psu.edu website: https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/anthracite

Munoz, C. (2023, October 24). Blueprints of America: The First Coal Mine in the U.S. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from GeoGrit website: https://www.geogrit.com/blogs/trail-stories/the-first-coal-mine-in-the-u-s?srsltid=AfmBOop-ZAB6ya41czmVV1L_u0eNgvtiMF0NrItlEgZlwKGOxDjOaEmi

PBS. (n.d.). The Coal Town System | American Experience | PBS. Retrieved from www.pbs.org website: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/minewars-coalcamps/

Research Guides: Organized Labor Since the 19th Century: A Research Guide: Mining & Steel Unions. (2024). Retrieved April 10, 2026, from Loc.gov website: https://guides.loc.gov/organized-labor/mining-steel

Saelee, M. (n.d.). Research Guides: Battle of Blair Mountain: Topics in Chronicling America: Introduction. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from guides.loc.gov website: https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-blair-mountain

Scrip-A Coal Miner’s Credit Card - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service). (2016). Retrieved from Nps.gov website: https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/historyculture/scrip.htm

Timeline of coal in the United States. (2005). https://blog.midwestind.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/coal_timeline.pdf

Tabler, D. (2025). National Coal Heritage Area. Retrieved from Wv.gov website: https://coalheritage.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training. (n.d.). Mining in West Virginia: A capsule history. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training website: https://minesafety.wv.gov/historical-statistical-data/mining-in-west-virginia-a-capsule-history/

Wynn, J. (2024, June 15). The Rich History of Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Region. Retrieved from Jake Wynn - Public Historian website: https://wynninghistory.com/coal-region-history/

With Easter this week, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the origins of some Easter traditions. I'm sure many of us have enjoyed visits from the Easter bunny and easter egg hunting when we were younger. Peeps adorn many easter baskets. How did these traditions begin? That is what we find out.

During March and April, thousands upon thousands of college students flock to beaches for spring break. Some go to Texas. Some people go to Florida. This debauchery goes back years. How did it begin? That is what I will try to find out. Join me as I discuss the history of Spring Break

A History of Spring Break - The Classical Period. (2017). Retrieved March 27, 2026, from Springbreak.com website: https://www.springbreak.com/History/Spring_Break_History.html

A Quick and Dirty History of Spring Break. (2018, March 16). Retrieved March 27, 2026, from HowStuffWorks website: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/quick-and-dirty-history-spring-break.htm

Danisewicz, C. (2013, March 7). The History of Spring Break Travel: A Retrospective. Retrieved March 27, 2026, from On Call International Blog website: https://blog.oncallinternational.com/the-history-of-spring-break-travel-a-retrospective/

Florida Frontiers - A History of Spring Break in Florida | Florida Historical Society. (2014, April). Retrieved March 27, 2026, from Myfloridahistory.org website: https://myfloridahistory.org/frontiers/article/10

Pfefferkorn, A. (n.d.). The Brief History of Spring Break | Fordham History. Retrieved March 27, 2026, from https://history.blog.fordham.edu/?p=1061

Writers, S. (2020, April 7). The Story Behind Spring Break. Retrieved March 27, 2026, from OnlineSchools.org website: https://www.onlineschools.org/visual-academy/spring-break/