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The Achievements of the Flemings
On a recent flight from Vancouver to Chicago I sat next to the CEO of a London-based consulting firm. A Canadian woman with an advanced degree, she asked me the ethnicity of my surname. When she heard...
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Een dichterlijke groet uit 't oude land - door Guido Gezelle
The Flemish immigrants who came to the U.S. in its largest wave - from 1890 to 1930 - were predominantly Catholic and West Flemish. One of the formative figures at that time was the West Flemish...
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Gazette van Detroit - 100 Years of Volunteers
This week the Gazette van Detroit reaches a milestone: 100 years since the first edition was published on August 13, 1914. Below I have included copies of the very first edition - a 'boterbladje' of...
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An Injustice Corrected
Twenty years ago I read the below article by then Editor-in-Chief Father Karel Denys. I was simply a subscriber to the Gazette van Detroit. I remember thinking at the time, "how sad that this great man...
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The Flemish Establishment of Nieuw Nederlandt
The 400th anniversary of the founding of New Netherland has just slipped by.That said, 400 years and 5 days ago,Nieuw Nederlandt was officially established. The four names in bold below were all...
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The Flemish Contribution to America's Thanksgiving
The "Deliverance" of Leiden by the Flemish-led Sea Beggars, October 3, 1574. Thanksgiving is arguably the most American of holidays. Those of us with a secular bent look at it as not only a chance to...
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WW1 and the Propaganda War in American Books
In September I was invited by Museum Curator Bram Beelaert to travel to Antwerp and attend the opening of the excellent exhibit of Flemish Americans during WW1 of "Far From the War" at the Red Star...
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Prettige Kerstdagen! Merry Christmas!
The West Flemish priest (and poet and Father of the Flemish Movement) Guido Gezelle, nearly always had something so perfectly dead on to say. It may seem a stretch to incorporate him here, but since he...
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The De Milles of Flanders, New Netherland and Hollywood
Cecil B.DeMille died on this day, January 21st, in 1959. At the time of his death he was at the very top of the “A list” of Hollywood directors. DeMille is probably not well remembered by many outside...
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The Flemish Origins of German Americans
A few days ago a friend of mine from Flanders shared a link with the news that German Americans had established the "first national/ethnic museum in America". While I was happy to hear that an ethnic...
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Kent Gij Uw Land?
Kent gij Vlaanderen aan zee? Kent gij zijn taal, zijn zeden, zijn geschiedenis?Weet gij dat het Vlaamsche Volk het edelste, het fierste, het schoonste volk was, dat onder de kap des hemels liefde?In...
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In Memorium: A Tribute to Flemish American Veterans
Monday, May 28, 2012 is Memorial Day here in the U.S. Today is a day when we pay tribute to those men and women who have given their lives in the service of the country. Historically, here in Chicago...
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The Flemish Origins of America's Elite
Last week, August 15, 2012, an interview of me appeared in ‘t Pallieterke(Issue #33, p.11 - please see the above). The title: "De VS hebben diepe Vlaamse wortels" [The US has deep Flemish roots]. The...
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RIP Patrice Braut
Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11. This blog's focus is the "Flemish Contribution to the Discovery and Settlement of America". The implicit message being of course that that contribution is...
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The Flemish Origins of America's Thanksgiving
The "Deliverance" of Leiden by the Flemish-led Sea Beggars, October 3, 1574. Thanksgiving is arguably the most American of holidays. Those of us with a secular bent look at it as not only a chance to...
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The Flemish Claim to Sinterklaas
The Flemish Claim to Sinterklaas in AmericaOn December 6th children in Flanders receive gifts. These gifts ostensibly come from Sinterklaas with the aid of his Moor assistant, "Swarte Piet". This...
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The Flemish Origins of Baltimore
Tonight was the 47th Superbowl (American football championship) game here in the U.S. The competing teams were the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. While I supported San Francisco, I...
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The Flemish Contribution to the U.S. Declaration of Independence
July is a month pregnant with historical significance for Flanders and the United States: July 4th (1776) is the U.S. Independence Day and July 11th (1302) is the Flemish Feast Day. Less directly on...
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The Flemish Inspiration for the American Revolution
John Quincy Adams about 1783Excerpts from a letter, dated July 27, 1777 from John Adams (1735-1826), 2nd President of the United States and one of the “Committee of 5” – with Franklin and Jefferson –...
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Remembering Flemish American Veterans
Drie Staden - Belgian medal for WW1 Military ServiceTomorrow, Monday, November 11th, is Veteran's Day here in the U.S. It was started to commemorate the end of the "Great War": what we today call World...
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The Flemish Influence on Sinterklaas in America
On December 6th, children in Flanders receive gifts. These gifts ostensibly come from Sint Nicolaas – the individual we call “Saint Nicholas”. The festival and the main character are called (in Dutch)...
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Flemish Contributions to Columbus’ “Discovery” of America – Part 2
16th century characterization of Columbus meeting the Tainos in the CaribbeanA few months ago (October 5th) I participated in a Seminar called “The Dutch Revolt and New Netherland”.[i]There I was...
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Flemish Contributions to Columbus’ “Discovery” of America – Part 3
The fishmonger in 16th century FlandersToday I am in Halifax, Nova Scotia on business (nothing to do with Flanders unfortunately). This is a place with an unshakable dependence on the sea and whose...
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Book: The Flemish Contribution to the Discovery and Settlement of America
Gentle Reader, instead of posting new discoveries here, today I am asking your opinion.For the past seven years I have posted approximately 140 posts on this blog about various aspects of the Flemish...
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