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DYK? November is Native American Heritage Month. Learn more below!

June is National Indigenous Peoples Month. It is a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/kEUn50S5Btz

In our post-West Indian Federation, post-colonial, post-independence West Indies/ CARICOM Caribbean world, Sir Shridath Surendranath Ramphal GCMG AC ONZ OE OCC KC FRSA NIIV OM (3 October 1928 – 30 August 2024), would help to shape and forge a Caribbean (West Indies) identity and a sense of common citizenry among all the people and sovereigns of the former British West Indies. Thank you Sir, we owe you for our very understanding of and camaraderie among ourselves. In your very own words, "The West Indies cannot be West Indian if West Indian affairs, regional matters, are not the unwritten premise of every government's agenda; not occasionally, but always; not as ad hoc problems, but as the basic environment of policy," (Grenada, 2011).

Today is a solemn day, and it is even more important to draw connections between the Caribbean islands and the Americas. We have a shared history that is critical to our survival and to moving forward in knowledge and unity as part of the African diaspora to our collective freedom. It's important to conceptualize slavery and recognize that it lasted 400 years. It's crucial to know that this meant an estimated more than 12.5 million people were taken from Africa. The beginnings of this brutal project were staged in the Caribbean and extended to the Americas. The colonies in the Caribbean—French, Spanish, and Portuguese, including Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, among others—were the epicenters of the sugar industries and the slave trade. It is important to remember that Haiti led the first Black revolution, becoming the second nation in the Americas to become a republic and a sovereign nation. As a response, European colonies tightened their hold and refused to let go of this inhumane industry. Puerto Rico was among the last colonies to abolish salvery. Puerto Rican abolitionist like José Julián Acosta, Francisco Mariano Quiñones, Julio L. de Vizcarrondo, Ramón Emeterio Betances, and Segundo Ruiz Belvis lead the fight and slavery was finally abolished in 1873. This is part of our history that all Puerto Ricans should know. Our objective is to solidify the importance of shared knowledge with our community within and beyond the scope of our arts and community building. Highlighting our connections to todays historic significance and invite us all to examine what this means to us as Puerto Ricans and Caribbean people. El Batey #Repost

👑 Explore the rich history and timeless traditions of the British monarchy! From dazzling royal events to iconic landmarks, the monarchy holds a special place in British culture. Comment below with your favorite royal moment! #BritishMonarchy #Royalty #History 🏰👸🤴PART 1

I feel delighted and honoured that my essay 'Europe Without America' is the lead article in the latest issue of Survival! In this short essay, I examine the historically anomalous nature of the contemporary US-led European security order in the context of other distinctive aspects of European history. These include the absence of a long-lasting hegemon since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe’s rise and global dominance, and its instigation of the two world wars which brought its own destruction. I argue that America’s role as effectively a non-territorial hegemon allowed Europe largely to reconcile the ‘impossible trinity’ of unity, security and liberty which had previously eluded it. However, this anomalous and relatively happy period could soon end if, due to US internal political dynamics or a need to strategically prioritise East Asia, the American Leviathan withdraws from its function as Europe’s security provider. The full article is FREE TO READ and is available to download here: https://lnkd.in/g-fVe8V9 Many thanks to my International Institute for Strategic Studies colleagues Dana Allin for his encouragement with this and Carolyn West for her editorial support. #survival #europeansecurity #appliedhistory #NATO #strategicstudies

Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs, boasts a rich and diverse history. One fascinating chapter is its role during the American Revolutionary War. Known as the "Forgotten Borough," Staten Island was strategically important due to its location near the entrance to New York Harbor. In the early stages of the war, British forces recognized the island's value and swiftly occupied it in 1776. This occupation provided a secure base for the British, from which they could launch operations into New Jersey and Manhattan. The presence of British troops also influenced local loyalties—many Staten Islanders were loyalists who supported the British cause, which led to internal conflict and strife among the residents. The island was the site of a notable peace conference in September 1776, held at the Billopp House (now known as the Conference House). Here, American delegates including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge met with British Admiral Lord Howe in an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate peace before the escalation of the war. Despite these historic events, Staten Island's role in the war is less commemorated compared to other New York City sites, preserving its title as the "Forgotten Borough." Today, the Conference House remains a museum, standing as a testament to this crucial but overlooked piece of American history. #history #historybuff #nyc #ny #statenisland #authorsoflinkedin #writersoflinkedin

St. Helena's Unarthed Legacy: A Powerful Documentary on History, Identity, and Reconciliation History Meets the Present on a Remote Island St. Helena, a volcanic speck in the South Atlantic, is known for its dramatic scenery and its most famous resident - Napoleon Bonaparte. But beneath the island's surface lies a darker truth waiting to be unearthed. Annina van Neel, overseeing the construction of St. Helena's long-awaited airport, stumbles upon a discovery that will forever change the island's narrative. The excavation unearths the remains of thousands of enslaved Africans, a powerful testament to the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. A Legacy of the Enslaved This discovery sparks a crucial conversation. Many islanders have ancestral ties to these enslaved people. The question becomes: how can they create a memorial that truly honors this tragic past and fosters reconciliation? Annina, determined to advocate for this unearthed legacy, seeks the expertise of Peggy King Jorde, an African American preservationist with a lifelong dedication to social justice. Together, they navigate the complexities of this sensitive issue, engaging with the islanders and exploring their own evolving understanding of the island's history. This documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in: The lingering effects of colonialism and the slave trade The importance of historical preservation and ancestral connection Building a more inclusive and honest narrative about the past The power of collaboration and activism in fostering reconciliation This is more than just a historical discovery. It's a story about identity, belonging, and the search for a more complete understanding of ourselves. #StHelena #SlaveTrade #Documentary #History #SocialJustice #AncestralLegacy Annina van Neel https://lnkd.in/dSPUnHjM

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of First Nation, Metis and Inuit people across the province. We're committed to honouring and respecting the traditions and cultures of the 20 First Nations and two Métis Settlement lands and traditional territories on which we operate. Learn more about our Indigenous engagement here: https://buff.ly/3KZRlK5

This day in history: Pioneering achievements and transformative events continue to shape our world, reminding us of the enduring impact of visionary leaders and groundbreaking innovations. - 1869: The Suez Canal in Egypt, linking the Mediterranean and Red seas, was inaugurated after 10 years of construction, revolutionizing global maritime trade. - 1558: Elizabeth I ascended to the English throne upon the death of her half-sister, Queen Mary I, marking the beginning of the Elizabethan era. - 1989: The Velvet Revolution began in Czechoslovakia with a student demonstration in Prague, leading to the overthrow of the communist government and the end of communist rule. - 1800: The United States Congress held its first session in Washington, D.C., in the newly built but incomplete Capitol Building, a significant milestone in American history. - 1973: U.S. President Richard Nixon declared "I am not a crook" during a press conference in Orlando, Florida, amidst the Watergate scandal. - 1855: David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls, a major geographical discovery in what is now Zambia and Zimbabwe. - 1913: The first ship sailed through the Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, a monumental engineering achievement. #ThisDayInHistory #PioneeringAchievements #TransformativeEvents #VisionaryLeaders #GroundbreakingInnovations #MaritimeTrade #ElizabethanEra #VelvetRevolution #AmericanHistory #EngineeringMarvels