Today's American Minute

Battle of Lepanto, and Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote - American Minute with Bill Federer

October 07, 2025 • and Pilgrim Governor William Bradford • Battle of Lepanto • Sinking of Spanish Armada

Spain saved Europe by defeating the Ottoman Turkish navy in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Afterwards, though, instead of freeing the Mediterranean from Ottoman control, King Philip II sent the Iron Duke of Alba to commit the Spanish Fury, killing 10,000 Dutch Reformed in Antwerp, Belgium, and sending its Invincible Armada to conquer Anglican England.

Spanish Fury, and the Sinking of the Invincible Spanish Armada - American Minute with Bill Federer

October 07, 2025 • Sinking of the Invincible Spanish Armada & its impact on English colonizing of America

Why was the sinking of the Invincible Spanish Armada significant to America? Had Spain succeeded in their attempts to conquer England, there may have been: no Anglican England; no Puritans wanting to "purify" it; no Pilgrim separatists fleeing it; no New England colonies being settled, and, quite possibly, no United States of America.

Y.M.C.A. founding by Sir George Williams and the Muscular Christianity Movement

September 27, 2025

YMCA founder Sir George Williams wrote: "My life-long experience as a business man, and as a Christian worker among young men, has taught me that the only power in this world that can effectually keep one from sin, in all the varied and often attractive forms ... is that which comes from an intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as a present Savior."

The Inspiring Charlie Kirk: My Friendship with a Great Man - by Bill Federer

September 13, 2025

The Inspiring Charlie Kirk by Bill Federer It is less than 24 hours since Charlie Kirk was shot when I am beginning to write this. I am still in shock and did not sleep last night. Social media is filled with tributes from across the world of people sharing how Charlie impacted their lives. Charlie literally knew thousands of great people personally. What could I possibly add to their moving remarks. Nothing. I feel at a total loss. But for the sake of posterity, with hopes the younger generation will be inspired to rise up...

Labor Day, Railroad Strikes, Grover Cleveland, Eugene Debs, Socialist Party of America, Outsourcing - American Minute with Bill Federer

August 25, 2025 • Eugene Debs • Grover Cleveland • Labor Day • Outsourcing • Railroad Strikes • Socialist Party of America

There was rioting, pillaging, and burning of railroad cars, destroying an estimated $80 million worth of property in 27 states. A New York Times editorial, July 9, 1894, called Debs "a lawbreaker at large, an enemy of the human race." "Debs' Rebellion" became a national issue when it interrupted the trains delivering mail. President Grover Cleveland declared the strike a federal crime and deployed 12,000 U.S. Army troops to break up the strike.