Christian McWhirter
@clmcwhirter.bsky.social
Historical Consultant. Public historian and museum veteran. Historian of 19th Century culture and memory. Lincoln guy. Pop culture obsessive.
On Lincoln's birthday, it's useful to remember he believed the primary goal of the American experiment was to guarantee "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the best way to achieve that goal was through free and fair elections. It's basically the thesis of the Gettysburg Address. 1/2
February 12, 2026 at 12:43 PM
On Lincoln's birthday, it's useful to remember he believed the primary goal of the American experiment was to guarantee "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the best way to achieve that goal was through free and fair elections. It's basically the thesis of the Gettysburg Address. 1/2
Join me tomorrow on Lincoln's birthday for a conversation with one of my favorite historians, Richard Carwardine. We'll be discussing his wonderful new book Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln's Union.
Register free here:
bit.ly/RichardCarwa...
Register free here:
bit.ly/RichardCarwa...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Four Score Speaker Series: Dr. Richard Carwardine. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Please join our guest moderator, Dr. Christian McWhirter, at 2 p.m. CT on Thursday, February 12, 2026, for an enlightening conversation with author Dr. Richard Carwardine on his latest book, Righteous...
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Join me tomorrow on Lincoln's birthday for a conversation with one of my favorite historians, Richard Carwardine. We'll be discussing his wonderful new book Righteous Strife: How Warring Religious Nationalists Forged Lincoln's Union.
Register free here:
bit.ly/RichardCarwa...
Register free here:
bit.ly/RichardCarwa...
February 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
Here is an obituary for Civil War historian Gabor Boritt, who passed away a few days ago. A remarkable life. gettysburgconnection.org/obituary-gab...
Obituary: Gabor Boritt, Immigrant, Refugee-Turned-Renowned Scholar of Lincoln and American Civil War History, Dies at 86 - Gettysburg Connection
Gabor S. Boritt, renowned author, scholar of Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War, founder of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, and
gettysburgconnection.org
February 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Here is an obituary for Civil War historian Gabor Boritt, who passed away a few days ago. A remarkable life. gettysburgconnection.org/obituary-gab...
Very much looking forward to leading a virtual discussion tonight with the Grayslake Heritage Center about George Saunders's excellent Lincoln In the Bardo and how it interacts with Lincoln's ever-evolving popular image:
grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...
grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...
Pages of History: Lincoln in the Bardo | Grayslake Area Public Library
Join three presenters this season as they explore the history and modern themes of each month's book. Presented in partnership with the Grayslake Heritage Center and Historical Society.
grayslake.librarycalendar.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Very much looking forward to leading a virtual discussion tonight with the Grayslake Heritage Center about George Saunders's excellent Lincoln In the Bardo and how it interacts with Lincoln's ever-evolving popular image:
grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...
grayslake.librarycalendar.com/event/pages-...
This one hits my Canadian heart hard. I grew up with SCTV and she's popped up in things throughout my life. Always 100% committed and hilarious. Truly we've lost a great one
Farewell to the great Catherine O'Hara, an actress who elevated every production fortunate enough to have her.
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Home Alone’ Star, Dies at 71
Catherine O'Hara, a legendary Hollywood actor known for her roles in 'Schitt's Creek' and 'Home Alone,' has died. She was 71.
variety.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:55 PM
This one hits my Canadian heart hard. I grew up with SCTV and she's popped up in things throughout my life. Always 100% committed and hilarious. Truly we've lost a great one
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
A good time to remind everyone of the Minnesota First. One of the earliest state militias to volunteer to fight in the Civil War—three years after joining the Union! Provided one of the essential turning points at Gettysburg. Took the flag of the Virginia regiment they captured AND STILL HAVE IT.
January 18, 2026 at 6:25 PM
A good time to remind everyone of the Minnesota First. One of the earliest state militias to volunteer to fight in the Civil War—three years after joining the Union! Provided one of the essential turning points at Gettysburg. Took the flag of the Virginia regiment they captured AND STILL HAVE IT.
One of the most surreal experiences the modern world provides is looking upward in a Costco
January 2, 2026 at 4:28 PM
One of the most surreal experiences the modern world provides is looking upward in a Costco
Ok, Kathleen...
[January 1st, 1946] The Baby Boom generation officially began, lasting until 1964. Kathleen Casey-Kirschling, born one second after midnight in Philadelphia, is recognized as the first boomer.
January 1, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Ok, Kathleen...
A full parking lot at my local movie theatre is a good omen for 2026.
January 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
A full parking lot at my local movie theatre is a good omen for 2026.
I'm more happy to turn the page on this crappy year, but I'll go out highlighting 5 great things I discovered during it:
- Manchester, Vermont
- Humble Pie Kitchen
- Disco Elysium
- Working freelance on my own schedule
- Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive
Bring on 2026!
- Manchester, Vermont
- Humble Pie Kitchen
- Disco Elysium
- Working freelance on my own schedule
- Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive
Bring on 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I'm more happy to turn the page on this crappy year, but I'll go out highlighting 5 great things I discovered during it:
- Manchester, Vermont
- Humble Pie Kitchen
- Disco Elysium
- Working freelance on my own schedule
- Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive
Bring on 2026!
- Manchester, Vermont
- Humble Pie Kitchen
- Disco Elysium
- Working freelance on my own schedule
- Syndicated SCTV eps on Internet Archive
Bring on 2026!
Somehow, I have only just become aware of the existence of a 1980 film called Honeysuckle Rose, in which Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving vie for this affections of Willie Nelson. Yes, you read that right: renowned lothario Willie Nelson. I must find this insane film!
Soundtrack slaps, tho.
Soundtrack slaps, tho.
December 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Somehow, I have only just become aware of the existence of a 1980 film called Honeysuckle Rose, in which Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving vie for this affections of Willie Nelson. Yes, you read that right: renowned lothario Willie Nelson. I must find this insane film!
Soundtrack slaps, tho.
Soundtrack slaps, tho.
Make a Bond movie academic
The Worldcat is Not Enough
The Worldcat is Not Enough
Make a Bond movie academic
Spectre
Spectre
Make a Bond movie academic
Write Another Day
Write Another Day
December 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Make a Bond movie academic
The Worldcat is Not Enough
The Worldcat is Not Enough
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
To you and yours, from Thomas.
December 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
To you and yours, from Thomas.
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
Will Farrell and John C. Reilly reenact Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s Christmas classic #musicnews
Will Farrell and John C. Reilly reenact Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s Christmas classic
In 1977, when David Bowie was still coming out of his coked-out alcoholic space alien phase (it was bad, really bad), he was approached by the producers of a Bing Crosby Christmas special
dlvr.it
December 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Will Farrell and John C. Reilly reenact Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s Christmas classic #musicnews
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
If you don't know about the NORAD SantaTracker, you should.
www.noradsanta.org/en/map
Merry Christmas Eve.
www.noradsanta.org/en/map
Merry Christmas Eve.
Official NORAD Tracks Santa
www.noradsanta.org
December 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
If you don't know about the NORAD SantaTracker, you should.
www.noradsanta.org/en/map
Merry Christmas Eve.
www.noradsanta.org/en/map
Merry Christmas Eve.
As always, this is your annual reminder that "Jingle Bells" was written by a gross pro-slavery secessionist while "Up On the Housetop" was written by an abolitionist. The choice is clear.
www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020...
www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020...
Perspective | The forgotten civil war history of two of our favorite Christmas carols
Over time, the historic roots of some holiday music have been forgotten.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
As always, this is your annual reminder that "Jingle Bells" was written by a gross pro-slavery secessionist while "Up On the Housetop" was written by an abolitionist. The choice is clear.
www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020...
www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020...
100% agree with this take. James just riffs on Christmas over funky beats for an entire album. Perfect
The sick thing about the James Brown Christmas album is that it’s just a good James Brown album except he’s hollering about how happy Christmas makes him youtu.be/Vlooi1_CBug?...
Christmas Is Love
YouTube video by James Brown - Topic
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
100% agree with this take. James just riffs on Christmas over funky beats for an entire album. Perfect
I probably took Rob Reiner for granted. In retrospect, Stand By Me was seminal because it was the first non-genre or kids film that really connected with me. In fact, it inspired me to write my own version about me and my friends, which I think was the first piece of writing I ever completed.
December 15, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I probably took Rob Reiner for granted. In retrospect, Stand By Me was seminal because it was the first non-genre or kids film that really connected with me. In fact, it inspired me to write my own version about me and my friends, which I think was the first piece of writing I ever completed.
Reposted by Christian McWhirter
This entire weekend
December 15, 2025 at 3:58 AM
This entire weekend
It isn't Christmas until I've heard about golden toques.
It is one of Canada's most famous Christmas songs (and a personal favourite of mine), but what is the history of Bob and Doug McKenzie's Twelve Days of Christmas?
This is the story of one of the greatest Christmas songs.
🧵1/7
This is the story of one of the greatest Christmas songs.
🧵1/7
December 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
It isn't Christmas until I've heard about golden toques.