1421: the year China discovered America? offers a controversial history lesson. Even without the intrigue of mystery, the gorgeous boat models and vicarious travel made this film worth checking out.

George Ellsworth Boomer was a Washington State socialist who really deserves a full biography, and my little profile will not do justice to this interesting character who was far ahead of his time. Although his run for Washington State Governor was a century ago, there is much about his story that seems familiar and universal today. In reading about his zeal one is struck by the parallels with religious missionaries, an observation that would have no doubt upset Boomer. Yet even other socialists made note of this.

In IWW jargon a "Boomer" was someone who was a wanderer, who followed boomtowns and good times. George sort of fit that description in terms of seeking a place in the world where he thought opportunity was ripe for his cause.

Boomer was born in Lewiston, Maine Nov. 28, 1862. "Slight and frail," wrote Harvey O'Connor, "he was the son of cotton mill workers .. At the age of 12 he went to work in the mill, at 65 cents for a 12 1/4-hour day. As required by law, he attended school three months a year. He became a newsboy and then a printer in Providence, Rhode Island." His mill worker experience shaped his world view.

Pearl Harbor Speech December 8, 1941 Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

....  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/32_f_roosevelt/psources/ps_pearlharbspeech.html ....

Take a few minutes and read the entire speech that FDR gave. It is not long and will be a good way to remember the men and women who died that bright Sunday morning. It was an event that changed the path of our nation, and brought us our greatest generation in nearly 100 years. Japan not only attacked Hawaii, but also other places as well. Please read it.

from WhiteHouse.gov