EDWARD R MURROW EDITORIAL ON JOSEPH MCCARTHY (1954)
Closing a half-hour television report on Senator Joseph McCarthy in March 1954, American journalist Edward R Murrow delivered a stinging editorial about McCarthy’s tactics and their impact:
“The Reed Harris hearing demonstrates one of the Senator’s techniques. Twice he said the American Civil Liberties Union was listed as a subversive front. The Attorney General’s list does not and has never listed the ACLU as subversive, nor does the FBI or any other federal government agency. And the American Civil Liberties Union holds in its files letters of commendation from President Truman, President Eisenhower and General MacArthur.
Now let us try to bring the McCarthy story a little more up to date. Two years ago Senator Benton of Connecticut accused McCarthy of apparent perjury, unethical practice, and perpetrating a hoax on the Senate. McCarthy sued for two million dollars. Last week he dropped the case, saying no one could be found who believed Benton’s story. Several volunteers have come forward saying they believe it in its entirety. Today Senator McCarthy says he’s going to get a lawyer and force the networks to give him time to reply to Adlai Stevenson’s speech.
Earlier the Senator asked, “Upon what meat does this, our Caesar, feed?” Had he looked three lines earlier in Shakespeare’s Caesar, he would have found this line, which is not altogether inappropriate: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”
No one familiar with the history of this country can deny that congressional committees are useful. It is necessary to investigate before legislating, but the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly. His primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind, as between the internal and the external threats of Communism. We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men – not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular.
This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy’s methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.
The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it – and rather successfully. Cassius was right. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”
“Good night and good luck.”
Edward R. Murrow -1908
Noted radio and television news broadcast pioneer, Edward R. Murrow brought the world into people’s living rooms by allowing them to hear the action as it happened. Murrow was respected for his integrity in journalism. The Radio Television Digital News Association has awarded journalists in the field with the Edward R. Murrow Award since 1971.
On April 23rd each year, National Talk Like Shakespeare Day encourages us to speak like the Bard and the characters in his plays.
Born April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare is the author of some of the world’s most celebrated plays and poems. In 2016, we honored the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death. What better way to celebrate his life and art than to speak like the poet and playwright.
We can speak like Shakespeare by substituting thou, thee and ye for you and they. Rhyming couplets and creative insults were his particular favorites. Many of the phrases we use today we can owe to Shakespeare.
We could make you wait with bated breath for the list. We could send you on a wild goose chase to find them. For goodness sake, you might just be the laughing stock if we did!
Oh, come now. No need to fight fire with fire. Come what may we will give you the naked truth and teach to you talk like Shakespeare. We’ll snatch you out of the jaws of death and put you in a pickle too while we are at it!
What makes your hair stand on end? Did we set your teeth on edge? Well, what’s done is done.
You may be such a sorry sight, but still, the world is your oyster even if you wear your heart on your sleeve. Aye, you have seen better days! We must send you packing. It’s all Greek to you anyway!
HOW TO OBSERVE #TalkLikeShakespeareDay
Speaketh like Shakespeare and celebrate his birthday. Share on social media by using #TalkLikeShakespeareDay.
National Talk Like Shakespeare Day was first launched in 2009 by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which was inspired by another day devoted to talking in character – International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19). In 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 23rd as Talk Like Shakespeare Day giving the theater’s efforts official recognition.
The day also coincides with English Language Day which began in 2010 as a cultural recognition day by the United Nations.
William Shakespeare – 1564
William Shakespeare is the author of some of the world’s most celebrated plays and poems. His works, written during the Golden Age of the Renaissance and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, continue to inspire us today. Some of his most notable works include “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Midsummer Nights Dream,” “Hamlet” and “Othello.”
Each year on April 22nd, National Earth Day campaigns around the globe promote ways to save the Earth.
Since its inception, the organizers promote events educating the public about a variety of subjects including:
climate change
air pollution
water pollution
erosion
recycling
composting
renewable fuels and power
carbon footprints
efficient cars
rain forests
ecosystems
As citizens of the world, we can take actions protecting the Earth, its creatures and their habitats. Greener living can include more fuel-efficient vehicles or windows. It can also include landscaping for your climate reducing the amount of water required.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalEarthDay
Celebrate by engaging in Earth Day activities in your area. Ways to participate include:
Support and use recycling programs in your community.
Volunteer to clean up local parks and streets on clean up days.
Support and frequent green businesses.
Use re-usable products versus disposable.
Repurpose items that have outworn their use.
Shop secondhand and thrift stores for gently used items.
Use energy-efficient appliances or line dry your clothes.
Walk or ride your bike to work if possible.
Carpool or make one trip instead of multiple trips for shopping.
Encourage your favorite products to reduce packaging.
The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard. ~ Gaylord Nelson – Founder of Earth Day
Numerous green campaigns launch events around the globe each year. Join one near you or organize one that fits your community needs. Be sure to register the event, too! For example, check out One Square Inch of Silence. Founded on Earth Day in 2005, it encourages you to participate in expanding naturally silent spaces around the globe.
Share your Earth Day experiences and join the conversation using #EarthDay on Social Media.
NATIONAL EARTH DAY HISTORY
In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, on April 22, 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day. While National Earth Day is not considered a national holiday we encourage you to learn more.
Environmentalists held rallies in large cities around the country. The observance became a global event in 1990 and hasn’t stopped since.
“Bishop Fulton Sheen Prophecy 50 Years Ago” is a Catholic video about the Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s words about the prophecy that would happen in the Catholic Church.
It is a Catholic prophecy describing the signs that will make you know about the signs when an Antichrist comes.
The crisis in the Church will make you think… if the Anti-christ is already there.
ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN ON THE ANTI-CHRIST AND CRISIS IN THE CHURCH – CATHOLIC PROPHECY “Archbishop Fulton Sheen on the Anti-christ and Crisis in the Church” is a Catholic video about the Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s words about the Anti-christ.
It is a Catholic prophecy describing the signs that will make you know about the signs when the Antichrist comes. The crisis in the Church will make you think if the Anti-christ is already there.
Each year on April 21st, National Kindergarten Day honors the birthday of the man who started the first Kindergarten. Friedrich Wilhelm August Frobel (April 21, 1782 – June 21, 1852) is credited with starting the very first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Frobel was a German teacher and a student of Johann Pestalozzi. Frobel laid a foundation for modern education, recognizing that children learn through play and experience.
The first kindergarten (which means garden for the children) was developed in Blankenburg, Germany, in 1837. The kindergarten fostered Frobel’s social experience for children. It allowed them to smoothly transition from home to school.
Eventually, the Prussian government banned Frobel’s unorthodox methods. However, the rest of the world was eager to accept Frobel’s idea of kindergarten, including the United States.
In 1856, Watertown, Wisconsin, opened the first kindergarten in the United States. Founded by Margarethe Schurz, this kindergarten was a German-language class, as were many in this region. Kindergarten found its way into private English-speaking institutions across the country. However, it wasn’t until 1873 that it became part of any public school system.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalKindergartenDay
National Kindergarten Day offers an opportunity to thank a kindergarten teacher you know. There are several ways to celebrate the day, too!
Recognize an outstanding kindergarten teacher.
Explore a career in elementary education, specifically as a kindergarten teacher.
Learn more about elementary education.
Donate to a teacher’s supply fund.
Share your experiences as a kindergarten teacher.
Invite families to see how today’s students learn.
Spend a day in a classroom.
You can also visit the National Day Calendar Classroom for projects and ideas to help you Celebrate Every Day.
Share your kindergarten memories using #NationalKindergartenDay on Social Media.
NATIONAL KINDERGARTEN DAY HISTORY
National Kindergarten Day honors the day Friedrich Wilhelm August Frobel was born on April 21, 1782. However, we were unable to identify the founder of National Kindergarten Day.
Friedrich Wilhelm August Frobel – 1782
The German student of Johann Pestalozzi is credited with laying the foundation for the modern kindergarten in Blankenburg, Germany.
