Today marks the 155th anniversary of one of American history’s greatest, and shortest, speeches. Maybe part of its greatest is due to its brevity! In today’s podcast I share a story about the event which you may not have heard before. Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

Have you ever been to the Gettysburg battlefield? I have, and what a moving experience it is. I also had “skin in the game”—my two times great grandfather was there, with the Pennsylvania 153rd. I salute you, Israel Kocher!

Can you recite the first line of the Gettysburg Address from memory?

When did your family come to America? Maybe you're like mine, one side more recent (1910s), the other, stretching back to the 1620s. Although my ancestors missed the boat, the Mayflower that is, they arrived within a couple years of that vaunted company. Here, I celebrate the fortitude and faith of those Pilgrims.

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How do you think you would have fared in the howling wilderness of Massachusetts in the early days of its settlement? I’m not so sure about myself, but I do love the story of one woman, Anne Bradstreet, who made the most of her primitive surroundings and lifestyle.

When we think of the Pilgrims and Puritans, names like Myles Standish, John Winthrop, and William Bradford usually come to mind. You may not know about Anne Bradstreet who became America's first published poet. here's a little bit about her life from my podcast, Great Stories in American History.

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I just love stories about Americans from the past, especially anecdotes that reveal their humanity. When I was growing up, I devoured biographies of figures like Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. I wanted to be an overcomer like they were, to be honorable and a blessing to my family, friends, and community. When we know the stories behind our leaders, they often give us glimpses into our own souls. We also get to know them apart from their exalted status as national icons, to see how human they really were.

Today I’m sharing a couple of stories about the 19th century Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. You might immediately picture him as a tall, straight man, dignified and a bit aloof. A quick listen to my podcast will put him in a different light! Enjoy.

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This year, the modern Jewish State turned 70 years old. So much drama went into its creation, as well as its initial years facing enemies on all sides. However, there’s a little known story about the signifcant role U.S. President Harry S Truman played in that nation’s founding, including the influence of an old friend. (By the way, the “S” in the chief executive’s name didn’t stand for anything!)

Here’s the story: Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney