Californians Delve Into the Past and Nation’s History
Pictured is Mark Barbour, Executive Director of International Printing Museum (printmuseum.org) in Carson, Calif., printing the Declaration of the Independence on an original 1806 Ramage Letterpress, one of only three in the U.S. It is similar to the press originally used to print the Declaration of Independence. The museum annually hosts a special Independence Day celebration.
As Californians celebrate Independence Day with picnics, parades and fireworks, many are interested in the nation’s history.
Historian Mike Heywood has a new book out on the Civil War, “Orange County’s Connections to Chickamauga,” chronicling the ‘The Father of Seal Beach,’ John C. Ord. Before he came West to San Francisco to seek his fortune in 1866, Ord saw action in a sharpshooter brigade during the Civil War’s second bloodiest battle. He’s buried in Westminster Memorial Park.
Ord is just one of the fascinating characters featured in the easy-to-read, well-researched, balanced history which not only goes into detail about the epic battle but tells about others like James Talbert. He served in the Union Army, and had sons Samuel, who helped develop Fountain Valley, and Thomas, who was an Orange County Supervisor.
Historic Moments
- July 4, 1776 The United States Declaration of Independence adopted by the Second Continental Congress at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. See a replica Independence Hall at Knott’s Berry Farm.
- June 17, 1777 The American Flag was adopted.
- 1850 California becomes 31st state.
- 1861-65 Civil War.
