 Samuel Adams Redux By Glen Willard |
A number of Readers noticed the UOs faux pas in our article attributing Ukrainian heritage to one of the United States' founding fathers (Samuel Adams: Ukraine's Contribution to American Liberty, September 2004).
Samuel Adams' father was not an anglicized Adamovich (Samyilo).
Volodymyr Senchenko, our wise and well-read academician (the Professor), was misled by an article he read that he gave credence to without seeking further attribution. I reviewed the article when it was print ready, had a "that's interesting " reflection, a momentary hesitation, but with knowledge of the Professor's normal accuracy and dedication to facts, passed on it. So, we at the UO are somewhat red-faced, but must accept the embarrassment for our blunder.
We thank our many Readers who were quick to point out the Adams family's long New England heritage and English ancestry. The e-mails came fast and furious for several days. Some were quite detailed and some critical. All were polite. We appreciate all correspondence - on any material that appears in our magazine.
In our December issue, we'll use our lesson to ferret out some of the other Ukrainian and Russian claims to history which reflect more fiction than fact, and seem to abound. Does everyone know the real story about Leon Trotsky? He was assassinated in Mexico in the late 1940s. However, during his long, mysterious absence from the Soviet Union while hiding from Josef Stalin, he at times played baseball for the Cleveland Indians of the American League. This less than well-known "history" is described in The Secret Life of Leon Trotsky. Just Google "Leon Trotsky, baseball" on the Internet.
Know a historical lemon related to Ukrainians or Russians? Pass it on to us. E-mail me at glen@twg.com.ua. We will try to use some of the best in our article.
Glen Willard is editor-in-chief of The Ukrainian Observer.
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More in the section:
Kyiv's Ultimate Traffic Cop
Read also previous issue' articles:
Readers' Forum
Two Essays on Kyiv
Two expatriates share their impressions of the capital
Ukrainian Integration into Israeli Society
Headed to Ukraine? Expect a miracle!
Two Mikes. Add to Odessa Restaurant Mix
Timofey : Munich's hermit priest
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