Poinsettia: America’s Christmas Flower and Its Rich History
A historical overview of poinsettias from Central America to American culture, detailing blooming trends in shelters and greenhouses, their association with Christmas, and the botany of Euphorbia. The piece notes American adoption, a Texas double poinsettia, and a legend of a rosary-like gift to the Virgin Mary with weeds turning into starry flowers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Central America
West Indies
America
Atlantic
England
Texas
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Charleston
South Carolina
Republic of Mexico
Poinsett
Robert Buist
Philadelphia
Europe
Lowley
Maria
Marta
Eupha
Juban
Poinsettia History and Care in the Euphorbia Family
The poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrina, grows 2 to 10 feet high with green leaves and red bracts that surround tiny yellow flowers. It originated in stoves then greenhouses for commercial cultivation, propagated by soft wood or hardwood cuttings, rooted in half peat half sand, with 60 degree temperatures and careful temperature control.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John America
Great Britain
United States
Christmas Hymn Masters and Mysteries Across History
A survey of hymn authors and origins notes Byron as shorthand pioneer, Gruber’s guitar adaptation after organ belows were eaten, Wesley and others with long writings, and debates over authorship of classic carols. Highlights Rossetti, Tate, Dix, Neale, and Come All Ye Faithful.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Byron
England
Franz Gruber
Sam Houston at Fort Sam Houston in Army post profile
Capt. Sam Houston III, commander of Company C, 770th MP Battalion, at Fort Sam Houston, is described as tall and slender with the gray indomitable eyes linked to his famous ancestor. The note frames him as a veteran of both World Wars serving in the Fourth Army area.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
Clement of Alexandria
Henry M. Dexter
Isaac Watts
Manchester
New Hampshire
London
James Montgomery
Nahum Tate
William
Mary
Queen Anne
William C. Dix
Glasgow
John Mason Neale
East Grinstead Almshouse
Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Sam Houston III
Texas
Captain Houston
Fourth Army
Also Mentioned on This Page
America’s
By Vincent Edwards
Oberdorf
Austria
Charles Wesley
Mendelssohn
Christina G. Rossetti
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
France
Ings
Walter Reiffert
Kerrville
Harper
Citizens Auto
Leslie and
Grace Harper
Beason of
Santa
Harper, Texas
Merry Nowrek
Peterson's Garage
Kerrville, Texas
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!