Articles written by Vincent Traina

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About me - Vincent Traina

Vincent Traina is a historian, teacher, and freelance writer with a museum and education background. Vincent has a BA in History and a BA in Communication Arts from Caldwell College. Trainas experience in museum education and historic preservation includes

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Entertainment > Movie Analysis Movie analysis: Patton: 1 of 3
Very few Hollywood movies, if any, portray the Second World War in an honest light. But for you "real history" students, there is at least one WW II film that has overwhelming qualities of historical correctness. "Patton," the 1970 Academy Awards Winning film starring George C. Scott, depicts the wartime feats of the great Wo... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Death: 42 of 118
A little over forty hours ago, I witnessed a tragedy while driving on Route 287 South, right before the exit for Route 10 East. "This can't be happening," I vainly tried convincing myself during the five seconds I watched a man run across the highway and have his life come to an abrupt end. This is the kind of thing you hope ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Origins & Firsts in History Understanding Columbus Day with more historical accuracy: 2 of 5
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WESTERN WORLDOn Monday, October 13th, historically conscious Americans will have celebrated the national holiday we know as "Columbus Day."This day is named in honor of the courageous Genoan navigator Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) who, in spite of the naysayers, continued his perilously ambitious 4,... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) What is Labor Day?: 2 of 4
The industrialization of America came with an assault on the dignity of the family by indiscriminately cramming men, women, and children of all ages into factories like sardines in a can. It was among this intense social change that the Philadelphia Trade Union, in the 1830s, prophesied, "That cormorant capital will have ever... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Born-again Sicilian: 1 of 1
When it comes to positive experiences for the Italian American, it's difficult to imagine anything more beneficial than a total immersion in the culture left behind nearly a century ago. An outstanding example of this is a story that began two years ago in the state of New Jersey. Driven by a passionate desire to live in the ... More..
Arts & Humanities > US History (Other) The history of Montclair, New Jersey: 1 of 1
Three hundred million years ago, the area we now call Montclair was flat and swampy. In fact, archaeologists doing excavations have discovered fossils that show it was once under water and had tropical temperatures. Then the Ice Age came, which ended about eleven thousand years ago. During this very long period, the formation... More..
Entertainment > Directors & Film Makers The influence of Sergio Leone on the film industry: 1 of 1
A year ago, legendary director Martin Scorsese had declared his intention to help preserve classic Italian films from half a century ago, beginning with Sergio Leone's masterpiece Spaghetti Western Once Upon A Time in the West (C'era Una Volta il West). This came at a time when Clint Eastwood, one of Leone's most recognized p... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: World War II: 9 of 15
There's hardly any topic among twentieth century history that is more misunderstood among the masses than the most devastating, destructive, and genocidal conflict in human history, the Second World War. Many military and diplomatic documents have still not been declassified by the victors who won the war. But more than that,... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Ways to define creativity in education: 5 of 8
In my experience as a student of history, I've consequentially gained a more thorough understanding of the fragility and precariousness of human societies. I have come to various conclusions which have been rooted in creative critical thinking. As a matter of scientific fact, the very rich experience of learning is in no smal... More..
Arts & Humanities > European History The truth about Christopher Columbus: 18 of 18
On Monday, October 13th, historically conscious Americans will have celebrated the national holiday we know as "Columbus Day."This day is named in honor of the courageous Genoan navigator Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) who, in spite of the naysayers, continued his perilously ambitious 4,000-mile journey across the Atlantic ... More..