Category Archives: History

The funeral cortege of Vaclav Havel.

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

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Vaclav Havel: “Czech proverb fits this situation perfectly: The height of the tree is recognized once it has fallen.”

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

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Two hundred and twelve years ago: George Washington dies.

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

At 10:00 p.m. on December 14, 1799, George Washington died at his Mt. Vernon home after five decades of service to his country. His last words reportedly were: “I feel myself going. I thank you for your attentions; but I … Continue reading →

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Pearl Harbor 70 years later.

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Austin Bay’s article is engrossing:  Imagination, deception and audacity, in combination, are the deadly acme of warfare. Japan’s Pearl Harbor ambush of America’s Pacific Fleet, which occurred 70 years ago this week, displayed these traits. So did al-Qaida’s 9-11 savaging … Continue reading →

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Life in the Foreign Service – The Break Up of the Soviet Union ~ 20 years ago…

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I loved reading the latest issue of the Foreign Service Journal (a great window into what life in the US Foreign Service is all about), because it brought back a myriad of emotions. I lived in Moscow (USSR) between 1987 … Continue reading →

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The Crusades and the rule of law.

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I very much am looking forward to reading the “Laws in a Crusader State” and studying “The Assizes if Jerusalem”: On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont. In so doing, he inaugurated a … Continue reading →

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The world´s oldest Holocaust museum is in London…

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

and has a chilling collection of children´s books and games: One large board game is called “Juden Raus!” which means “Out With The Jews!”. It requires the players to roll dice and move smiling, brightly-coloured figures about a village, picking … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Semitism, Culture, Germany, History, Holocaust, United Kingdom, World War II, Youth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“The more I study New Testament,” Dr. Levine said, “the better Jew I become.”

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

“Jewish scholars have typically been involved only with editions of the Old Testament, which Jews call the Hebrew Bible or, using a Hebrew acronym, the Tanakh. Of course, many curious Jews and Christians consult all sorts of editions, without regard … Continue reading →

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The juxtaposition of the then and now…war and pleasure…

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

In pictures, the shocking contrast between war and fun:  Afghanistan in the ’80s and More Fun and Games…

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Albert Camus and the Jews.

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Albert Camus: “There is just one truly important philosophical question: suicide. To decide whether life is worth living is to answer the fundamental question of philosophy. Everything else … is child’s play; we must first of all answer the question.” … Continue reading →

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Giving Thanks.

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, some powerful thoughts: George Washington: Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his … Continue reading →

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A Thousand Years of Polish Jewry.

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Poland’s Jews lived there for 1,000 years. Ninety percent of them were killed during World War II. In 2013 the Museum of the History of Polish Jews will open in Warsaw. Here is a very interesting video of a mini-lecture … Continue reading →

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Snails in Cyprus.

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

When I visited Cyprus I was not only overwhelmed with the recent political history, but more importantly, with the religious and mythical story of the island, which left me flabbergasted.  Crossing the great divide (the green line) exposed me to … Continue reading →

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Annals of history: cooking under communism.

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Looking for a recipe today in Craig Claiborne’s cookbook, I found a 22 year old notation of mine (1989) under a “gazpacho” recipe that called for tomato juice:  “Excellent.  Added chicken broth packet & used ketchup instead of tomato juice.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Communism, Diplomacy, Foreign Service, History, Memories, Soviet Union | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Veterans’ Day… why we should never forget!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

The reason why we celebrate Veterans’ Day and some of us wear poppies on our lapels: In Flanders Field by John McCrae MD (1872-1918) In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; … Continue reading →

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