Japanese Friendship Bell: Shelter Island, San Diego, California
Greetings PHG readers, today we're visiting the Japanese Friendship Bell here on Shelter Island in San Diego . This 6 foot tall, 4,600 pound bell was gifted to the city from the citizens of Yokohama in 1958, marking the centennial of that port's opening. The bell was tolled for the first time on 10 December 1960, with civic leaders from both San Diego and Yokohama on hand to witness it. The Japanese Friendship Bell, with "The Girl in Red Shoes" statue to the left, and floweri
Tony Boccia
Dalton Pass Memorial, Philippines
Greetings PHG fans, I hope the new year is treating you all well. This week, I was checking out the World War II in the Philippines Facebook group and read about the Dalton Pass Memorial. Although I've been to the Philippines several times, I've not made it into the provinces. Balete/Dalton Pass Memorial, Luzon, Philippines Previously called Balete Pass, Dalton Pass is the only overland route into Cagayan Valley from Central Luzon. A highway crosses the pass from north to so
Tony Boccia
On this day: Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy
Greetings PHG fans, today we mark a solemn occasion that seems prescient against the backdrop of this week's headlines. On this day 17 January 1893, the Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown. A group of 13 men calling themselves the ‘Committee of Safety’ ended the rule of Queen Liliʻuokalani and abolished the monarchy, which had ruled Hawai'i for 98 years. A Hawaiian Republic was declared, and the country was annexed by the United States five years later, in the midst of the Spani
Tony Boccia