American history - Page 4

The principles of Andrew Jackson and the Jacksonians are becoming the heart of the Republican Party and reflect its future in American politics. Though rarely regarded as part of the pantheon of conservative heroes, Jackson was the figurehead of a unique set of ideas that can and should be embraced by the Grand Old Party.

Early Thursday morning, the State House of South Carolina voted to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the State Capitol. Gov. Nikki Haley has pledged to sign the bill immediately, and the flag may come down as soon as today.

Though the very phrase “American Exceptionalism” is often mocked as simple-minded flag waving, there are concrete reasons that the American civilization is unique. The United States has a special place in world history. Despite the bumps, bruises, and outright contradictions that the country has muddled through in its very short existence, Americans can take pride in its numerous accomplishments, actions, and principles throughout the last two centuries.

On June 17, reports emerged that Dylann Roof shot and killed nine people at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Roof obtained his gun “legally,” so calls for gun control have largely fallen on deaf ears. But a photo of Roof posing with a Confederate battle flag has managed to become the impetus for a cause célèbre to banish the Confederate battle flag from public view.

A 71-year-old man in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has installed 150 Confederate battle flags around his house, and he’s not about to take them down.

The left’s crusade on American history continues as New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu calls for the removal of a monument to Confederate General Robert E. Lee that has stood since 1884.

As Confederate ban-mania continues across the country, the U.S. Park Service has now announced that it intends to stop the sale of “stand-alone” Confederate flag related items at the nation’s parks, including civil war battlefields where the Confederate army actually fought.

Andrew Jackson’s days on the $20 bill may be over if an activist group called Women on the 20s gets its way. Because of this campaign, which is backed by a litany of liberal columnists, “Old Hickory” may be unceremoniously ditched in favor of one of these four female candidates.

In his bloviating speech on Thursday at his summit on countering violent extremism, President Obama bent over backwards to make nice with Islam. Not only were terrorists not Muslim, President Obama stated, but Islam played a crucial role in America’s founding.

On this day, 200 years ago, General Andrew Jackson and a ragtag assortment of American soldiers, militia, pirates, and volunteers successfully defended the City of New Orleans against the British Army.