As recognized in most history and civic text books, the fourteenth state admitted into the union would be the Vermont Republic on March 4, 1791 but that is not actually correct. Technically speaking, the fourteenth state to come into existence was actually that of Frankland. Receiving its namesake from that of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, on August 23, 1784 the State of Frankland declared its territory as free lands located in the western North Carolina/ eastern Tennessee area.
On May 16, 1785 delegates from Frankland propositioned for statehood before Washington, however the fell just shy of the 2/3s vote needed to be officially recognized. Quickly appealing the decision, Frankland attempted to sway their state’s naming inspiration into some form of leverage, but they were unfortunately met with the following response “…I am sensible of the honor which your Excellency and your council thereby do me. But being in Europe when your State was formed, I am too little acquainted with the circumstances to be able to offer you anything just now that may be of importance, since everything material that regards your welfare will doubtless have occurred to yourselves. … I will endeavor to inform myself more perfectly of your affairs by inquiry and searching the records of Congress and if anything should occur to me that I think may be useful to you, you shall hear from me thereupon.” -Benjamin Franklin to John Sevier, Governor of Frankland, 1787.
So what does this seemingly useless, yet incredibly interesting bit of information mean (by the way, look into the “ghost states” of America. Very interesting. And ghost as in no longer existing… not haunted. Well, they may be haunted too, but different topic for a different day.)? It’s a little teaser into the world of this week’s guest on The Malliard Report. This week Jim welcomes Charles Reichblum to the show to discuss many different things from his series of books Knowledge in a Nutshell.
“Radio talk show hosts gave Charles Reichblum the nickname “Dr. Knowledge” — an appropriate name for a man who has amassed one of the world’s largest collections of interesting facts and stories over more than 50 years as a journalist. Charles now presents the best of his formidable collection in this book of all-time fascinating facts. For the past seven years, Charles has been broadcasting the daily “Dr. Knowledge Feature” nationwide on the CBS radio network and for 10 years he also hosted the “Dr. Knowledge Show” on station KDKA in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He has written 11 Knowledge in a Nutshell® and Dr. Knowledge Presents books, and he won the Freedoms Foundation Award for his book Greatest Events in American History.”
You can keep up with Charles’ latest “musings” through his website knowledgeinanutshell.com in addition to being able to purchase his books contact him directly, and much more. You can also find all of his books through most online retailers (there are 11 to choose from!) as well. For all things Malliard, head over to malliard.com where you can subscribe for the newsletter, catch up on past shows, and much more. Also, look for The Malliard Report on your favorite streaming service, and don’t forget to review and subscribe.
