Ten Years of Braman’s Wanderings

Tonight I noticed that I started my blog ten years ago.

The first blog post was very short.


Welcome to Braman’s Wanderings!

A blog to share my Wanderings, whether they are physical or just a wandering mind. I plan to share a bit about the trips I take and also some of the pictures I take along the way.  I may also share some of my writings, genealogy research, musings and whatever else may cross my mind.

We will see how often it gets updated :-). No promises.

Steven Braman


However, the blog didn’t really get started until the 2nd of June. Since that time I have missed less than 20 days of blogging. Most of these were while traveling in China when I didn’t have access.

My first blog post after the welcome was Take off to Canada.

This also included my first picture in the blog which had actually been taken in Japan.

Paradise Bay Antarctica - Ice and Snow in Antarctica - Antarctica rock reflectionIn the last ten years I have traveled to six continents to teach classes and have also shared pictures and memories from Antarctica where I had traveled to previous to starting the blog.

blog stats, country visits, geographyMy blog has been visited by people from all over the world, and I hope I have helped them find information they were looking for, or just brightened their day with a nice picture or story.

Brazier, Chinese Food, Meat and Veggies, Chinese RestaurantI have written a lot about food from places I have visited, or maybe just something I made at home.

Amish Beard - Amish - Beard without mustache - Amish HeritageI have also shared some writings about Amish History, genealogy and culture.

I have also written a lot about History and genealogy of other branches of my family.

Newbery Medal Winners - Newbery Challenge - Book Award Winners - Newberry StickersBooks has been another common subject I have written about.

I could go on and on about things I have written about as my mind wanders all over the place and I have to write about where it goes sometimes.

I hope you have enjoyed the posts though the years. Now on to the next years.

Steven

 

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Cinco de Mayo and the Civil War

Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration in memory of a battle? The battle is known as the Battle of Puebla or the Battle of Cinco de Mayo. Did you also know that it took place during the Civil War?

Cinco de Mayo - Battle of Puebla - Mexico vs. France - May 5, 1862This painting is titled: Batalla de Puebla, 5 de mayo de 1862

The painting is by José Cusachs and was painted in 1903.

The Battle of Puebla was between Mexico and an invading French army. The Mexican Army overcame great odds to win the battle and send the French packing. This battle may have had a big affect on the Civil War as it has been speculated that if France had won this battle they would have then moved north and helped the Confederate Army in their battles.

After being defeated at the Battle of Puebla the French army had to regroup and they eventually resumed their march toward Mexico City which was soon defeated. Emperor Maximilian then ruled Mexico for about three years before the Mexican Republic was re-established. This mostly took place while the Civil War was being contested.

Chapultepec Tower - Battle of Chapultepec - Mexico City - Grasshopper HillThe painting of the Battle of Puebla is in the Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City which is the home of the Museo Nacional De Historia. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Mexico from one of my students who is interested in History. In one of the museums we visited he was able to show me pictures of his grandfather.

Chapultepec Castle - Chapultepec Hill - Grasshopper Hill - Castillo de Chapultepec - Stained Glass WindowChapultepec has some ties to US History and you can read more in my post: Back in Time II

The year after the battle President Juárez declared a national holiday to remember the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.

However, today Cinco de Mayo is only a regional holiday in Mexico and is not a national holiday. It is interesting that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by more people in the US than in Mexico.

I did not do anything special for the holiday, but I may eat some tortilla chips during dinner tonight 🙂

Steven

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