Near the end of Ken Burns’ documentary on the Statue of Liberty, historian David McCullough reflects on the statue’s symbolism. “She isn’t a warrior. She isn’t bombastic or threatening. She isn’t a symbol of power. The Statue of Liberty is an act of faith.” McCullough emphasizes the core values that have always been essential to America’s growth and resilience in...

In the spring of 1770, John Adams faced a choice that would define his character and test his commitment to justice. Five men lay dead on the streets of Boston shot by British soldiers in what would become known as the Boston Massacre. Outraged, the people demanded justice, but what they really wanted was revenge. No lawyer would touch the...

If you live on the West Coast, fires are part of life. Yet the fires raging in California right now—five at last count—are unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. The Palisades Fire alone has burned over 19,000 acres, leaving destruction and heartbreak in its wake. California’s wildfires remind us of two things: our shared vulnerability and the extraordinary strength we summon...

In Monty Python’s Life of Brian, there’s a brilliant moment that underscores how easily miscommunication can lead to false assumptions, even in the most profound of circumstances. During the Sermon on the Mount, those standing at the back of the hill strain to hear Jesus’ words. Instead of, “The meek shall inherit the earth,” they misheard it as, “The Greeks...

Veterans Day is a time to honor the countless men and women who’ve served our country through war and peace, putting the nation’s needs above their own. Their courage and dedication remind us what it truly means to defend our freedom—freedom to speak, worship, assemble, and live in peace and safety. In many schools, each day starts with the pledge...

After all the votes are counted, will the country stand united, committed to overcoming our differences, or will we continue to let division define us? This is a moment to reflect and decide who we want to be and what kind of country we want to build. We can’t allow ourselves to be drawn into anger, to see one another...

In the winter of 1777, twelve thousand soldiers, along with four hundred women and children, huddled in 1,500 log huts, faced a defining moment of adversity at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Battling bitter cold, hunger, and a lack of supplies, the Continental Army’s morale was dwindling, and many were ready to abandon the fight for independence. George Washington, as commander-in-chief, understood...

Tomorrow, I’ll be posting a brief commentary—a 3 minute read—that I encourage everyone to review. It’s about adversity; it’s about courage; it’s about character. If it resonates with you or holds value, please consider sharing it. It will also be posted on X (formally Twitter): https://twitter.com/jimlichtman And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.lichtman.75/ Respectfully, Jim Lichtman    » Read more about: Friday’s Commentary  »...

On March 4, 1933, at his first inauguration, Franklin D. Roosevelt stood before the American people and addressed a nation in crisis. He understood that his task was not only economic recovery but the restoration of trust and unity. With words that reached beyond the immediate moment, he offered a powerful call against the biggest enemy facing the country: “The...

Fed by misinformation and half-truths, fear pushes us to distrust others, retreat into ourselves, see threats where there are none. Fear convinces us the world is more hostile than it truly is, seeing things through the lens of “Us vs. Them,” cutting us off from the compassion, understanding, and cooperation that can bring us together. Fear has always been present,...