WTK Featured Stories

212 items

108, 2022

The First U.S. Patent – By Daniel Sheridan 

#OTD, July 31, 1790, the very first American patent, which George Washington signed, was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer.  Abraham Lincoln believed that the invention of the printing press, the discovery of America, and the American patent system brought about the most significant advances in human civilization.  The #Constitution provides for patent laws in Article 1, Section 8, which reads, “Congress shall have power to…promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries…” [...]

1507, 2022

Building America and Expanding Narrow Minds with Iron Rails – By Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, June 9, 1781, a man was born whose world-changing invention built America. In the 1830s, the world began progressing technologically at unprecedented levels through the efforts of inventors busily applying their talents for humanity’s sake. One revolutionized travel, helped build America, and expanded narrow minds as a by-product. Here’s the story.  In 1807, Bostonians built the first American railroads, called tramways, which were temporary rail lines designed to transfer loads out of coal mines. Meanwhile, boats and factories utilized steam engines. One day, a clever inventor combined the two technologies. George Stephenson, an English civil and mechanical engineer, was [...]

907, 2022

General Orders, 9 July 1776…Head Quarters, New York…by Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, July 9, 1776, General George Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence is to be read to the troops.  General Orders, 9 July 1776...Head Quarters, New York... ...The Honorable the Continental Congress, impelled by the dictates of duty, policy, and necessity, having been pleased to dissolve the Connection which subsisted between this Country, and Great Britain, and to declare the United Colonies of North America, free and independent STATES: The several brigades are to be drawn up this evening on their respective Parades, at six o'clock, when the declaration of Congress, shewing the grounds & reasons of this measure, [...]

807, 2022

The Freedom of the Press – By Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, July 8, 1889, the “Wall Street Journal” begins publishing. “Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech or of the press...” #FirstAmendment Sir William Blackstone said, “Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public.” Freedom of speech is essential in a society, for free debate leads to the correction of public errors. But Blackstone also warned that “if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequences of his temerity.” Freedom of speech comes with responsibilities. “The only security of all is in a free press. The force [...]

2906, 2022

Welcome Retired Sheriff Brad Rogers – To WTK Advisory Board

Brad Rogers is a 35-year veteran as a Peace Officer. He was the elected Sheriff of Elkhart County, Indiana, from 2011-2018, ending with Indiana’s two-term limit. As Sheriff, Brad appeared on Fox and Friends and in an Anderson Cooper town hall, as a staunch defender of the second amendment and Constitutional government.  His role in interposing for citizens of his county from government overreach is as follows: • Brad is nationally known for his role in defending an Amish milk farmer from federal government overreach.   • Brad successfully intervened from an over-zealous local mayor would wanted to unilaterally disconnect [...]

2806, 2022

Monday is Independence Day! However OTD# June 28th… by Daniel Sheridan

However, it was #OTD, June 28th, 1776, a committee consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston presented the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress. To best celebrate that day, we should try to put ourselves in our founder's shoes. What were they doing when they signed their names on that document? What could it have cost them? Would we have done the same? Think about these questions throughout the week. John Adams said, "Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will [...]

2806, 2022

Captain John Barry: An American-Irish Naval Hero and “Father of the American Navy” – By Daniel Sheridan

Captain John Barry: An American-Irish Naval Hero and “Father of the American Navy” – By Daniel Sheridan On June 27, 1963, President John F. Kennedy laid a wreath at the memorial to the Revolutionary War hero, John Barry, of Wexford, on the first full day of his visit to Ireland. Who is John Barry? The British Navy dominated the seas in the 1770s. During the Revolutionary War, the American Navy was no match for them. But private ship owners bravely filled the gap. Congress granted them the authority to “distress the enemies of the United States by sea or land.” [...]

2506, 2022

An Early Constitutional Crisis: An Act Concerning Aliens – by Daniel Sheridan

#OTD, June 25, 1798, An Act Concerning Aliens is by Daniel SheridanIt’s the 1790s. Trouble is brewing in France. Meanwhile, we were having trouble at home. Many American newspapers favored France, and the editors viciously attacked President Adams and Great Britain. In 1798, Congress tried to check these offenses by passing two laws:1. The Alien Law authorized the President to banish any foreigner he considered dangerous to the peace and safety of America. The law read in part: “Confers power on the President to order aliens to depart…Such as the President shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of [...]

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