iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 2h

I'll definitely put up a DDE birthday post at some point today!

Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 4h

On Oct. 14, 1912, a would-be assassin shot former President Theodore Roosevelt while TR campaigned for the presidency on the Progressive (“Bull Moose”) Party ticket. Roosevelt insisted on giving his planned speech despite having a bullet in his chest. Here’s an article I wrote about the incident.

werehistory.org

“It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose”: The Wounding of Theodore Roosevelt

As his companions argued over where to take Roosevelt for treatment, TR told them, “I am going to drive to the hall and deliver my speech.”

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 15h

Now that phase one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's wonderful "250 to 250" project has wrapped, I'll share all videos (one per day) for which I wrote scripts. Some were recorded nearly word for word; others underwent much-needed editing for clarity & brevity. Tonight: the 1st Rhode Island Regiment.

youtu.be

First Rhode Island Regiment, Narrated by Senator Jack Reed

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 23h

OTD in 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid in Washington, D.C. James Hoban, an Irish immigrant and architect based in Charleston, South Carolina, designed the structure based on Leister House in Dublin. Image: the White House c. 1846. Library of Congress image.

This black and white photo shows an 1846 image of the White House in Washington, D.C.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

I'm sure it will be retrofitted to return to that outdated technology soon!

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Happy birthday to the United States Navy! The Continental Congress created the Continental Navy OTD in 1775. Image: The USS Gerald R. Ford in 2025. U.S. Department of Defense photo.

This color photo shows a large U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, sailing in blue water.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

youtu.be

“Don’t Give Up the Ship,” Narrated by Representative Chris Deluzio

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

OTD in 1945, President Truman awarded the Medal of Honor to WWII Army medic Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive nation's highest award for military valor. Doss, who refused to carry a weapon, saved lives of 75-100 wounded men on Okinawa's "Hacksaw Ridge." Image: Public domain.

This color image shows President Harry S. Truman, wearing a gray suit and glasses, preparing to put the Medal of Honor around the neck of Corporal Desmond T. Doss, U.S. Army. Doss wears an Army uniform and has a mustache and dark hair.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

“They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they kept just one. They promised to take our land—and they took it.” ~Red Cloud (Oglala Lakota), c. 1868-70. Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Image: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

This sepia-toned image shows a Native American man, Red Cloud, seated and wearing traditional Native dress.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

youtu.be

Jacob Riis, Narrated by Alex Edgar

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Correction: Cole & Co. is the photo credit, not Case & Co. My error. Sorry about that.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

OTD in 1910, Theodore Roosevelt took an airplane ride in St. Louis that made him the first president (or former president) to fly in an airplane. The plane was a Wright Brothers Model B piloted by Arch Hoxsey, a member of the Wright Brothers Demonstration Team. Image of Hoxsey & TR: Case & Co.

This black and white photo shows two men, Theodore Roosevelt and Arch Hoxsey, seated in a Wright Brothers Model B airplane on October 11, 1910.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Here’s a podcast episode I did about him before the Trump administration fired me as director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. This is a Spotify link, but I’m sure you can find it anywhere you get podcasts. There’s a video version on their YouTube channel as well.

open.spotify.com

Eisenhower Built the America We Still Live In - Dr. Todd Arrington

2 Complicated 4 History · Episode

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

“Democracy, freedom, human rights have come to have a definite meaning to the people of the world which we must not allow any nation to so change that they are made synonymous with suppression & dictatorship.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt, 1948. Eleanor Roosevelt was born OTD in 1884. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a woman in a dark dress, Eleanor Roosevelt, sitting with her hands folded in front of her.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Not sure yet. That’s a question for @hcrichardson.bsky.social. I do know that many who worked on these (including me) are game to do more!

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Now that phase I of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's “250 to 250" project is done, I'll share all videos for which I wrote scripts. Some recorded nearly word for word; others underwent much-needed editing for clarity and brevity. Here’s Eisenhower’s “In Case of Failure” message, which I also narrated.

youtu.be

D-Day: In Case of Failure, Narrated by Todd Arrington

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned OTD in 1973 after being charged with income tax evasion. Fortunately the Nixon administration never again had any issues with corruption and led with honesty and transparency until the successful conclusion of Nixon’s second term. Right? Image: Public domain.

This color photo shows a smiling, clean-shaven man, Spiro T. Agnew, wearing a blue suit and looking at the camera.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

William H. Seward died OTD in 1872. The New York Senator sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1860. Once Lincoln won that and the election, Seward served as Secretary of State. He was severely injured when attacked & stabbed at home on the night Lincoln was shot. Image: Public domain.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Robert Gould Shaw was born in Boston OTD in 1837. He commanded the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Inf. in the Civil War. He & many of his soldiers were KIA in 1863. The 54th was immortalized in the 1989 film “Glory.” Read @civilwarmemory.bsky.social’s new biography of him! Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a mustachioed man, Robert Gould Shaw, sitting at a table and wearing the Civil War era uniform of a Union Army officer.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

“A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.” ~John F. Kennedy, 1961. Image: NASA.

This black and white photo shows a clean-shaven man, John F. Kennedy, standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone. He wears a dark suit and striped tie.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

youtu.be

Battle of Fallen Timbers, Narrated by Wes Siler

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

John Lennon, one of the two best-known & most-revered members of arguably the greatest rock band ever-The Beatles-was born in Liverpool OTD in 1940. It's mind-boggling to think he was only 40 when he was murdered in 1980. And that he's now been gone longer than he was alive. Image: Public domain.

This color photo shows a clean-shaven man, John Lennon, wearing a black jacket. He is not wearing glasses and has moderately long hair.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” ~Dolores Huerta. Image: PBS Distribution.

This graphic shows a woman in a cowboy hat, Dolores Huerta, speaking into a megaphone. Behind her is an image of people marching while holding an American flag.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

youtu.be

Kent State Killings, Narrated by Rosanne Cash

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I'm a Pirates fan so I find all baseball conversations offensive.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

OTD 70 years ago-Oct. 8, 1956-New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history. It came at Yankee Stadium in Game 5 against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Image: Yankees catcher Yogi Berra leaps into Larsen's arm at the end of the perfect game. LOC photo.

This black and white photo shows New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, wearing number 8, leaping into the arms of New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.” ~Sitting Bull (Hunkpapa Lakota), c. 1880s. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a Native American man, Sitting Bull, wearing traditional braided hair. Two large feathers are visible standing up from the back of his head.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Now that phase I of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's “250 to 250" project is done, I'll share all videos (one per day) for which I wrote scripts. Some recorded nearly word for word; others underwent editing for clarity & brevity. Now: James Garfield’s “Boys in Blue” speech. @radiofreetom.bsky.social

youtube.com

“Boys in Blue” Speech, Narrated by Tom Nichols

YouTube video by 250 to 250

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor / Shall be lifted—nevermore!” ~From Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 gothic poem "The Raven." Poe (b. Jan. 19, 1809) died in Baltimore at age 40 on this day 177 years ago: Oct. 7, 1849. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a mustachioed man, Edgar Allan Poe, wearing a dark coat, vest, and tie with a white shirt. He looks at the camera or perhaps just off to his right.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” ~President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1936. Image: Universal History Archive/Getty Images.

This black and white photo shows a clean-shaven man, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sitting at a desk and wearing a suit. He holds a paper in his right hand and appears to be speaking into a microphone that sits on the desk.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

youtu.be

Hockessin Colored School #107, Narrated by Senator Chris Coons

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

"There’s so much hypocrisy in this society. And if we want America to be a free society we have to stop telling lies. Because we’re not free & you know we’re not free." ~Fannie Lou Hamer, 1964. Civil rights activist/organizer Hamer was born in Mississippi OTD in 1917. Image: Library of Congress.

This black and white photo shows a Black women in a dress, Fannie Lou Hamer, seated at a table. She has a microphone clipped to the front of her dress.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

“You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” ~Malcolm X, 1965. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a clean-shaven Black man, Malcolm X, wearing glasses and a suit coat. He holds his chin in his left hand and looks at the camera.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Now that phase one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's wonderful "250 to 250" project has wrapped, I'll share all the videos (one per day) for which I wrote scripts. Some were recorded nearly word for word; others underwent much-needed editing for clarity and brevity. Tonight: the Green Mountain Boys.

youtube.com

Green Mountain Boys, Narrated by Representative Becca Balint

YouTube video by 250 to 250

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

"Chester A. Arthur Fan Club." Words I never thought I would read. But I think it's great!

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Chester A. Arthur, 21st President of the United States, was born in Vermont OTD in 1829. While a footnote to many, he was a better and more important POTUS than most realize (though certainly not perfect; Chinese Exclusion Act, anyone?). Here's a short piece I wrote about him several years ago.

werehistory.org

President Chester A. Arthur

Why the Twenty-First President Matters

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Now that phase I of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's wonderful "250 to 250" project has wrapped, I'll share all the videos (one per day) for which I wrote scripts. Some were recorded nearly word for word; others underwent much-needed editing for clarity and brevity. Today: the Bretton Woods Conference.

youtu.be

Bretton Woods, Narrated by Senator Maggie Hassan

YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Banned Books Week starts today. You know what to do. Image: bannedbooksweek.org/about

This color graphic shows a red book with yellow tape around it. The words “Banned Books Week” are printed inside the yellow tape.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yeah, definitely no argument here. He said “young people” in the original quote, so I left it, but all Americans need to hear this advice and follow it right now.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yes, good point. And James Garfield was one of the few Republicans still trying to publicly talk about civil rights. That’s what inspired the name of my book about the 1880 presidential election (narrowly won by Garfield): “The Last Lincoln Republican.”

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

“The presidency is a public trust, not a private possession.” ~President Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877. Hayes (born OTD in 1822) was elected POTUS in the disputed & controversial 1876 election. Despite how often it’s claimed, he did not single-handedly “end” Reconstruction. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a bearded man, Rutherford B. Hayes, wearing a dark suit and looking directly at the camera.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

“The young people of the nation…must remember that freedom is not a static acquisition; it is an unending task in which each generation must ensure its continuous re-creation.” ~President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938. Image: Public domain.

This black and white photo shows a clean-shaven man, Franklin D. Roosevelt, wearing a suit coat and tie. He looks up and just to the right of the camera.

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Dr. Todd Arrington @btarrington.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Now that the first phase of @hcrichardson.bsky.social's wonderful "250 to 250" project has wrapped, I'll share all the videos (one per day) for which I wrote scripts. Some were recorded nearly word for word; others underwent much-needed editing for clarity and brevity. Today: author Willa Cather.

youtube.com

Willa Cather, Narrated by Rebecca Solnit

YouTube video by 250 to 250

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