Written By:Catherine Boeckmann, Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

December 11, 2025

Summer Days are here! Summer begins with the solstice on Sunday, June 21, 2026, marking the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. What exactly IS the summer solstice? Is it really the longest day of the year? Welcome the solstice with some interesting facts and folklore.

The June Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice (aka summer solstice) occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June solstice marks the astronomical start of winter when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)

When is the Summer Solstice?

The June solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 A.M. EDT. Curious what time 4:24 A.M. EDT is where you live? Try our Time Zone Converter.

This solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year. 

In the Southern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the beginning of winter. 

Source: almanac.com for the complete article

one angle …

In this post, I’ll walk through the 11 pillars of fascism — as defined by historians and political theorists — and provide concrete proof points that show how each one is manifesting under the Trump administration.

These are not hypotheticals. These are happening now.

Let’s get into it.

1. Authoritarianism: Centralized Power and Suppression of Dissent

Fascist Pattern: Consolidation of power by a single leader or ruling party, often accompanied by the suppression of opposition and the erosion of checks and balances.

Proof Points:

• Retaliation Against Legal Professionals: The Trump administration has targeted law firms representing political opponents, revoking security clearances and initiating investigations, thereby undermining the independence of the legal system.1
• Utilization of the Alien Enemies Act: The administration invoked this rarely used act to deport individuals without due process, exemplifying authoritarian overreach.2
• Project 2025: A comprehensive plan by The Heritage Foundation aiming to consolidate executive power and replace civil servants with loyalists, effectively dismantling the administrative state.3

2. Ultra-nationalism: Elevating the Nation Above All

Fascist Pattern: Promoting a sense of national superiority, often at the expense of marginalized groups and international cooperation.

Proof Points:

• “America First” Policies: The administration’s rhetoric and policies prioritize national interests, leading to strained international relations and the alienation of allies.
• Immigration Crackdowns: Aggressive deportation strategies, including the deportation of individuals to countries where they face persecution, reflect a disregard for international human rights norms.

3. Militarism and Violence: Glorification of Strength and Force

Fascist Pattern: Emphasizing military power and the use of violence to achieve political ends.

Proof Points:

• Deployment of Federal Forces Against Protesters: The use of federal agencies to suppress domestic protests demonstrates a militaristic approach to civil dissent.
• Advocacy for Harsh Law Enforcement Measures: Endorsements of aggressive policing tactics and the pardoning of officials convicted of violent actions signal an acceptance of violence within governance.

4. Scapegoating and Propaganda: Blaming ‘The Other’

Fascist Pattern: Attributing national problems to specific groups, often minorities, to divert attention from governmental shortcomings.

Proof Points:

• Targeting of Immigrants: Labeling migrants as criminals or terrorists without substantial evidence, leading to policies like mass deportations to dangerous environments.4
• Discrediting of Media Outlets: Frequent accusations of “fake news” aimed at undermining the credibility of independent journalism.

5. Anti-democracy and Anti-liberalism: Undermining Democratic Institutions

Fascist Pattern: Erosion of democratic norms and institutions, often through the delegitimization of electoral processes and the judiciary.

Proof Points:

• Challenging Election Legitimacy: Persistent claims of electoral fraud without evidence, aiming to erode public trust in democratic processes.
• Defiance of Court Orders: Ignoring or circumventing judicial rulings, such as the refusal to comply with orders to return wrongfully deported individuals.5

6. Cult of Personality: Elevating the Leader

Fascist Pattern: Creating an idealized and heroic image of the leader, often demanding unwavering loyalty.

Proof Points:

• Personalization of Political Power: The leader’s name and image are prominently used in political campaigns and government communications, emphasizing personal loyalty over institutional allegiance.
• Attacks on Critics: Public denunciations and threats against political opponents, former allies, and dissenting voices within the administration.6

7. Control of Information: Censorship and Manipulation

Fascist Pattern: Manipulating or controlling media and information to suppress dissent and promote the regime’s narrative.

Proof Points:

• Defunding Independent Media: Cutting funds to organizations like Radio Free Asia and Voice of America, jeopardizing journalistic independence.7
• Surveillance of Journalists: Implementing measures that intimidate and suppress investigative journalism.

8. Suppression of Unions and Dissent: Silencing Opposition

Fascist Pattern: Cracking down on labor movements and any form of organized opposition.

Proof Points:

• Targeting Academic Institutions: Freezing federal funds to universities like Cornell and Northwestern under the guise of addressing campus protests, thereby stifling academic freedom.8
• Executive Orders Against Law Firms: Issuing directives that penalize law firms perceived as oppositional, undermining the right to legal representation.9

9. Corporatism / Crony Capitalism: Favoring Loyal Businesses

Fascist Pattern: Economic power is consolidated among favored corporations that align with the state, undermining fair competition.

Proof Points:

• Preferential Treatment for Allies: The administration has implemented policies that benefit certain businesses, often those with political connections, while sidelining competitors.
• Tariff Policies Impacting Small Businesses: The imposition of tariffs under the guise of national security has disproportionately affected small businesses, while larger corporations with government ties have navigated these challenges more effectively.10

10. Sexism and Gender Control: Enforcing Traditional Roles

Fascist Pattern: Traditional gender roles are aggressively enforced, with policies that marginalize women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Proof Points:

• Executive Orders Limiting Gender Recognition: The administration has issued orders defining sex strictly as male or female based on biological characteristics, effectively erasing recognition of transgender and non-binary identities.11
• Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care: Policies have been enacted to limit or prohibit gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, framing such care as harmful despite medical consensus on its benefits.12

11. Fear as a Tool: Maintaining Control Through Anxiety

Fascist Pattern: A constant state of crisis is maintained to justify authoritarian measures and suppress dissent.

Proof Points:

• Use of Emergency Powers for Trade Policies: The administration has invoked emergency powers to implement trade policies, such as tariffs, under the pretext of national security threats, fostering a climate of fear and uncertainty.13
• Rhetoric Targeting Marginalized Groups: Public statements and policies have often portrayed immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals as threats to societal values, fueling fear and justifying restrictive measures.14

These examples, which don’t include any presidential actions, illustrate a troubling alignment with the core aspects of fascism.

It’s imperative to remain vigilant and advocate for democratic principles and human rights.

Source: pathfinderchronicles.com

Today, some so-call Republicans want to say that the riot was NOT based on or because of their skin

CONTENTS

1. Tulsa’s Black Wall Street
2. What Caused the Tulsa Race Massacre?
3. Greenwood Burns
4. of the Tulsa Race Massacre
5. News Blackout
6. Tulsa Race Riot Commission Established, Renamed
7. Sources

history.com

During the Tulsa Race Massacre, which occurred over 18 hours from May 31 to June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked residents, homes and businesses in the predominantly Black Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event remains one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, and, for a period, remained one of the least-known: News reports were largely squelched, despite the fact that hundreds of people were killed and thousands left homeless.

Why is there more than one version of Sojourner Truth’s famous 1851, “Ain’t I a Woman” speech?

Sojourner’s Speech, Transcribed by Marius Robinson; Anti-slavery bugle. volume (New-Lisbon, Ohio), 21 June 1851. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Click here to Zoom in >

Most people are familiar with the 1863 popular version of Sojourner Truth’s famous, “Ain’t I a woman” speech but they have no idea that this popular version, while based off of Sojourner’s original 1851 speech, is not Sojourner’s speech and is vastly different from Sojourner’s original 1851 speech. I must acknowledge Nell Irvin Painter, a professor at Princeton University, specializing in American history and notable for her works on southern history of the nineteenth century. Professor Painter was the scholar who first rang the bell on this historical mistake. This site would not be possible with out relying on her brilliant work.

The popular but inaccurate version was written and published in 1863, (12 years after Sojourner gave the “Ain’t I a woman” speech), by a white abolitionist named Frances Dana Barker Gage. Curiously, Gage not only changed all of Sojourner’s words but chose to represent Sojourner speaking in a stereotypical ‘southern black slave accent’, rather than in Sojourner’s distinct upper New York State low-Dutch accent. Frances Gage’s actions were well intended and served the suffrage and women’s rights movement at the time; however, by today’s standards of ethical journalism, her actions were a gross misrepresentation of Sojourner Truth’s words and identity. By changing Truth’s words and her dialect to that of a stereotypical southern slave, Frances Gage effectively erased Sojourner’s Dutch heritage and her authentic voice. As well as unintentionally adding to the oversimplification of the American slave culture and furthering the eradication of our nation’s Northern slave history. Frances Gage admitted that her amended version had “given but a faint sketch” of Sojourner’s original speech, but she felt justified and believed her version was stronger and more palatable to the American public than Sojourner’s original version. 

— You have got to read the complete article!

Source: thesojournertruthproject.com