Wiki History!

The Importance of Knowing History

Why is knowing history important? If we don't know history, are we really doomed to repeat it?  Doug and Robin (siblings and historians) read excerpts from a famous classical Greek scholar about the "refuge and strength" of history and discuss the historical context of modern events.  Doug will also reveal surprising behaviors of current politicians over a cup of espresso. Learning history can be fun--really!--and this discussion will prove it.

Black WWI Soldiers: The Forgotten Story

Espresso Talk: The End of Black History Month

Does the end of Black history month mean the end of learning Black history? Do we still need Black history month? How can we continue to learn Black history AFTER Black history month has ended? Doug and Robin (siblings and historians) discuss these questions over a cup of espresso.

May Podcast #2: Why I love history

Why love history? Does history matter?   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Hi, I’m Robin the host and one of many history lovers at this great and groundbreaking podcast show.  Right now, you are at an exciting place to remember African American history, a peaceful place to reflect on the African American experience and a bold place to keep MAKING history every single day.     I’m so glad that you’re here so we can share i...

Activists and Events Issue: April

This is Robin Lofton and I want to welcome you to rememberinghistory.com where are remembering history and we’re making it. Hello, habari gani, nangadef! I’ll explain that one a bit later. Right now, you are at a safe place to remember African American history, a quiet place to reflect on the African American experience and a powerful place to make history every single day.   I’m so glad that you’re here so we can share in this journey together. History should be a shared experience. So,...

The Celebration of Kwanzaa Day 7: Imani (faith)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani,   I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to the...

The Celebration of Kwanzaa: Day 6 (Kuumba)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani,   I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to the...

Kwanzaa: Day 5 (Nia)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to their com...

Kwanzaa: Day Four (Ujamaa)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. And today is a very specia...

Kwanzaa: Day Three (Ujima)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. Remember boring stuff is N...

Kwanzaa Day Two: Kujichagulia

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. rememberinghistory.com or ...

Kwanzaa Day One: Umoja

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Habari gani, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   I’m so glad that you’ve joined us for this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history and culture. I find history to BE inspi...

Kwanzaa: A brief introduction

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Hi, I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com.   We hope that you enjoyed the November podcasts that discussed African Americans in the military, focusing mostly on Black veterans. We heard some great stories, some sad stories and some inspirational stories. And remember the quote by WEB Dubois: We return. We return from fighting. We return figh...

Hope for Black Veterans: The GI Bill

Welcome back! That last section was pretty heavy. The racial terror and violence inflicted on Black veterans who had fought for their country are difficult subjects to hear and infuriating to learn about. But it’s even more infuriating that these stories are not taught in schools or discussed on the Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day holidays. Yet these stories need to be told and remembered. Why? It’s history. Not the glamorous and happy history but still it is a part of American history AND the...

Blacks in the Military: The Struggles of Black Veterans

Black Veterans Podcast #1   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits th...

Great Black Explorers and Adventurers: Lessons on Passion and Persistence

Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Historian and host of this great and groundbreaking show that will inspire YOU and your FAMILY with true stories, real experiences, practical lessons, cultural traditions, and fun celebrations—all inspired by African American history. I find history to BE inspirational, instructional and entertaining. And African American history fits the bill in all of these ways. Per...

Becoming a Better American

How Leaving the United States made me a better American   Hi and welcome to the July issue of Making History Today, the newsletter for people who want to change the world. I’m Robin, the editor of this great and groundbreaking newsletter. I’m so happy that you are receiving Making History Today and listening to this podcast.   As the editor in chief, I have the privilege every month of writing a few words about a current event or an important issue that I think will be helpful, inter...

Remembering History Introduction

The Importance of African American history: Believe in fairy tales! Hi and welcome to the Wiki History lecture series called History is Power! Produced by rememberinghistory.com where history is power. Today, we’re going to discuss the importance of knowing African American history. We begin by asking why is history important? Great question. Perhaps the answer can be found in this famous journal entry, which says, Next time I go to a movie and see a picture of a little ordinary girl bec...

Making History Today Newsletter Introduction

Hi everyone, I’m so glad that you are reading this issue of Making History Today and listening to this podcast. I’m Robin Lofton, editor-in-chief, of Making History Today! and I like to add that I’m also one of the in-house history lovers and aspiring history makers. That’s what this newsletter is all about and what Rememberinghistory.com is committed to. In this September issue of Making History Today!, I’m gonna address an issue that many people have approached me about: How can I work as ...

The Joy of Marching

Marching Podcast #1   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day! March is the month in which we focus on—surprise!—marching! Marching is one of the most common and I would say most effective ways to protest. And Americans have been protest marching since the country was founded.     Americans have marched for many reasons. American marched to protest the Stamp Tax—actually that march took place even before the United States ...

Great American Marches in History

Great American Marches in History   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it every day! March is the month in which we focus on—surprise!—marching! Marching is one of the most common and I would say most effective ways to protest. And Americans have been protest marching since the country was founded.     Americans have marched for many reasons. American marched to protest the Stamp Tax—actually that march took place even before the ...

Students in the Civil Rights Movement

Do you recognize the names of Emmett Till, Melba Patillo, Gloria Ray, David Richmond or Ruby Bridges?   Perhaps you recognize some but not others. Perhaps none.   That’s okay. They weren’t seeking fame or fortune. They just wanted to get an education, vote or just eat at a cafeteria lunch counter. You might not know their names but they made a difference for all of us. In this podcast show, you’re gonna here EXACTLY what they did.   Hi, I’m Robin Lofton, the Chief In-house Histor...

The Fight for the Right: The Voting Rights in the United States

Can you vote? Do you want to vote? Do you even have a vote?   Great questions!   You might have a quick answer that “of course” you can vote. Or you WILL vote after you turn 18. That’s excellent if you do!   Now what if someone told you that YOU couldn’t vote?   You might answer: No, that’s wrong. I meet the age requirement. I’m over 18.   But then you are asked:   Do you know the US Constitution?   Of course! I know about it, you say.   Then the registrar say...

Lessons from a King

Rememberinghistory.com Podcast Show January 2017   Hello and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin Lofton, the host of this great and groundbreaking show that inspires YOU and YOUR family with stories, experiences, lessons, traditions, and celebrations—all from African American history. That’s right—it’s inspirational. History—in all its forms--can be inspirational. American history, ancient history, European history, mus...

Quick & Easy Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa

Quick and Easy Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa!   Habari gani!   That’s a traditional greeting in Swahili.   Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   Today we are talking about Kwanzaa! Tis the season!   Kwanzaa is a wonderful week-long celebration of African culture and heritage. It was designed to help African Americans remember the history, richness and rituals of African culture, particularly the African mindset of showing...

African Americans in the Military 1: Contributions of Former Slaves

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. We’re here for another Wiki history lecture featuring the great and groundbreaking podcast series on African Americans in the United States military.   November is the month that Americans remember and honor its veterans—the brave men and women who fought for freedom and liberty both within the country and around the world. Did you know that there are nearly 20 million veterans living in the United...

Black Explorers 3: Adventures at the Mammoth Caves

Hello and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. I’m Robin, the founder and host of this great and groundbreaking podcast show. I would also say that this is an historic show—yes, I know it’s about history—but it is historic because we are discussing, learning and being inspired by people who have been forgotten by history. In this series, we’re focusing on Black explorers.   Remember in the first show of this series, we discussed William Sh...

Black Explorers 2: Focus on Black Women

Black Explorers Podcast Number 2   Hello History friends!   Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   I’m Robin and I’m the host of this great and groundbreaking podcast series about Black explorers. In the first podcast of this series, we discussed William Sheppard who was one of the first black missionaries in Africa. He explored the Congo River region, established relationships with the local people like the Bakuba, learned the Ku...

Black Explorers 1: William Sheppard in the Congo

Podcast: African American Explorers 1   Hi and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. Today we begin our great and groundbreaking podcast series about Black explorers! And we also have a very special guest who will introduce them: Frederick Lofton who is known as the Lawyer Explorer. Frederick has made many incredible explorations and today he is on the Big Island of Hawaii making even more discoveries. We are so lucky that he is taking the ...

Wiki History: Inspirations from Great Black Educators 1

Hello and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.   I’m Robin, the host of this podcast show and I’m so glad that you have joined me for the opening of this important podcast series. Our history makers in this series will make you stand up and cheer. Or perhaps they’ll make up sit down and grab a book. Why? Because in this series, we focus on a group of history makers that are often forgotten: The educators. Teachers, tutors, lecturers, ...

Be Inspired by History, Part VI: Attend Historical Re-enactments

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history too.   So, today is the last part of this great and groundbreaking series on fun and easy ways to be inspired by history. Wow, we have covered a lot of ground during this series.   We started with the decision to read, read, and read some more. I think that I almost lost some of you with that first step.  Yes, I love to read but I think that you imagined that I sta...

Be Inspired by History, Part V: Go to Museums

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   Today we are continuing with our 6-part wiki history series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history.” This series has proven to be amazingly inspirational; I hope that you’re having a great time. I know I am. Inspiration is all around us but sometimes it is difficult to see.  The same applies to history—it is everywhere yet we often don’t realize that hi...

Be Inspired by History, Part IV: Visit Great Historic Sites

Note: This is a transcript from the podcast series called "6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history!" Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   This is Robin and I’m really glad that you have come back to hear Part IV in this great and groundbreaking wiki history podcast series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history”! Today, we will explore the fourth way to be inspired, but before I reveal...

Be Inspired by History Part III: Talk to the Elders

Hello History Friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!   This is Robin and I’m so glad to see you here again to continue with our great and groundbreaking and amazingly inspirational series called “6 Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by History”.  Yes, this is a great and groundbreaking series because many people will discuss history and why history is so important but they often forget one thing: They forget that history ...

Be inspired by history, Part II: Watch Great Movies

Hello History Friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history. I’m glad that you have returned for this fantastic, trailblazing and incredibly amazing series called “6 Fun and Easy Ways to be inspired by history”! And I believe this series really is all those things. Why? Because anything that can help to inspire us in so many different ways (and to such great heights) must be fantastic, trailblazing and incredibly amazing-or at le...

How to be inspired by History Part I: Read! Read! Read!

How to be inspired by history, Part I   Last April, I posted a blog that discussed why I love history. (It was called “What Inspires Me” if you want to read it again.) Unequivocally, I answered that history inspires me. I love the stories, the people, the intrigue, struggles and the triumph.  They all inspire me. History shows me that nothing happens in a vacuum and reminds me that nothing ever had to happen as it did.  While I have some belief in fate, I am inspired by the thought that we...

Great Historic Travel Sites in the United States 2

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history, too.   We’re gonna make a slight change in this part of this podcast by discussing a place that was briefly mentioned in the previous podcast.  It was a place that I visited as a child and I recommend it to everyone, not just African Americans.  But all Americans, all people who visit the United States, all history enthusiasts, military historians, civil rights activists, legal historians and…...

Historic Travel Sites in the United States 1

Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. In this month’s podcast series, we are going to remember history in a slightly different way. Rather than talking about it (which, of course, is a great thing to do and a great way to learn), we are going to visit history, see history, experience history, and get immersed in history. (And, yes, we will talk about it a bit too!) What do I mean? I mean that this month we are g...

Wiki History: Women Warriors of the Civil Rights Movement

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.  We continue in this third wiki history podcast about Less Famous People involved in Civil Rights. In this podcast, we will focus exclusively on women who participated and died in the struggle for civil rights. Why should we spend an entire podcast focusing on women heroes of the civil rights movement? Great question. I think that I can give you a great answer. I noticed, in my research on civil...

Wiki History: White Warriors of the Civil Rights Movement

Welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it. In this podcast series, we are remembering the unknown (or lesser known) heroes of the civil rights movement.  More specifically, I should say that we are remembering and honoring the lesser-known martyrs in civil rights—those men and women who fought for voting rights, housing rights, and other forms of equal rights and the people who staunchly fought against segregation, lynching, police brutality ...

Wiki History: Unknown Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement 1

Welcome back to robinlofton.com.  Actually, I should welcome to the new rememberinghistory.com podcast. This month, April 2015, I launched the new and improved website and podcast called rememberinghistory.com where we are still remembering history and we’re still making history, too!  Yes, it’s a new and improved website and community where you can still find the Wiki History podcasts, my bodacious blog and a great community of fun and friendly people who love history!  You will also find s...

Wiki History: Marches 3 How Effective is Marching?

    In this month (March, that is), we have been examining famous marches in history like the Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Of course, we know that the marches did not make it all the way to Montgomery on that fateful day. But they did make the march to Montgomery a few days later—and that was also an historic moment in the civil rights movement.    Another famous march was the iconic March on Washington—also known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom....

Wiki History: Marches 2

  Hello and welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history.  Today, we are continuing with our wiki history podcast series about marches and protests. March seems like the perfect month for this interesting topic.    America is legendary for its famous marches and protests.  From the furtive Boston Tea Party to the legendary March on Washington and beyond, the United States is a country of marching and protesting. With its diverse citizenry and ...

Wiki History: Marches 1

Welcome back to robinlofton.com!  This is the place where we are remembering history and the place where we are making it. March is an interesting month: winter melts into spring, schools take a long—and much-needed break and many of us are still on a high from last month’s Black history month celebrations and remembrances. With all the great stories, achievements, and contributions, Black history month is a very hard act to follow. But March does have its strengths.  This month, the theme w...

Wiki History: Do We Still Need Black History Month?

The last two podcasts, we have been enjoying a discussion of Black History Month. On first day, we looked at what Black History month actually is and what people can do to recognize and celebrate it. Yes, it is a time for learning and it is also a time for celebration. I love food so I’m celebrating it by making food from my heritage every day this month. And I’ve put the pictures on my Facebook page. I hope that you have seen the Jollof Rice and plantains that I posted.  I hope that you are...

Wiki History: Who Founded Black History Month and Why?

Yesterday, I introduced Black History Month.  I discussed what this month is and means and all the ways great and small that people can celebrate this great month.  I also noted that everyone is invited to participate in Black History Month. It’s not just for African Americans (or even just for Black peopld worldwide) but also for all cultures and ethnicities, genders, ages, and interests.   Today, I will discuss the person who initiated or founded Black History month.   Have you heard o...

Wiki History: What is Black History Month?

What is Black History Month?    Black History Month is a time for learning about the African American experience, which includes the history and other issues, events, and experiences that are important to the African American community. And might actually be important to all Americans. After all, we are one country.    This is a time for learning about the contributions of Black people, learning about the struggles, the victories, the difficulties, and the successes of African Americans...

History is Power! Lecture: The Civil Rights Movement (The Laws and the Cases)

Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history. Today we’re also studying history.    We’re continuing our examination into the modern Civil Rights movement in the United States.  In Part I, we looked at the early movement beginning around the turn of the century and some of the iconic people who set the stage for the modern movement.  We looked at the transition of the movement into an organized and concerted effort toward ensuring equality and ...

History is Power! Lecture: The Civil Rights Movement (Marches & Protests)

History is Power: The Civil Rights Movement   Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history!  Today, we are continuing with next part of our History is Power Lecture series.  Today’s lecture is about Civil Rights but let’s back up for a moment for those who are just joining us or to refresh our memory.   Remember, we began by asking why it is important to know African American history. I think that the legendary Jackie Robinson answered that qu...

Wiki History: Kwanzaa Day Two (Kujichagulia)

Kwanzaa Day Two: Kujichagulia   Heri za kwanzaa!   Welcome back to robinlofton.com where we are working our way through the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Actually, I will say that we are celebrating our way through the 7 days of Kwanzaa because Kwanzaa is indeed a celebration of seven principles of African culture.  Yesterday, we studied and celebrated the foundation of the Kwanzaa celebration, which is Unity (or Umoja).  I hope that you had a good celebration. I would love to hear how you celebrat...