American Essence

‘Our Past Judges Our Present’: History Taken Slantwise

Consideration of the past is not always an indictment of the present, but Americans can definitely benefit from learning from our history.
‘Our Past Judges Our Present’: History Taken Slantwise
Members of the New York National Guard carry a large flag during the annual Veterans Day parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York, Nov. 11, 2013. The parade honored all veterans with a special salute to women in uniform. Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
Jeff Minick
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In 1963, at the request of its editors, President John F. Kennedy submitted a preface for the 16-volume “The American Heritage New Illustrated History of the United States.” Following his assassination, American Heritage reprinted this preface, “On History,” in its February 1964 issue of the magazine.
President John F. Kennedy signs the order for a naval blockade of Cuba on Oct. 24, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. (AFP via Getty Images)
President John F. Kennedy signs the order for a naval blockade of Cuba on Oct. 24, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. AFP via Getty Images
Jeff Minick
Jeff Minick
Author
Jeff Minick has four children and a growing platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. He is the author of two novels, “Amanda Bell” and “Dust on Their Wings,” and two works of nonfiction, “Learning as I Go” and “Movies Make the Man.” Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va.