Hawken Horse points out that today, June 7, is “Boone Day.” Didn’t know there was such a thing, but I am entirely on board with it. Boone Day commemorates Boone’s ascent of Pilot Knob on June 7, 1769, in the company of the trader John Finley, where Boone first viewed “the beautiful level of Kentucke.”
If there is something biblical about this moment when a party of Long Hunters took in their Promised Land, I don’t think that’s accidental. It was a moment made for mythologizing; an epochal moment in American history.
Looking backward, there is such a sense of inevitability about the American Republic stretching from Sea to Shining Sea that we forget how fraught and contingent the actual events were. Things might have turned out very differently, had the Long Hunters not penetrated the trans-Appalachian interior; had the tiny settlements of Kentucky and Middle Tennessee not held out against insuperable odds during the American Revolution.
The American Republic might have been contained by a British Canada that stretched down below the Ohio River. The geo-political barriers to expansion might have slowed or stopped the westward march, and the United States might have withered on the vine.
Hell, I might well not be sitting in the Oregon Territory typing this…
Daniel Boone, that man of modest background, driven by a passion for the hunt, turned out to be a man of world historical significance. There were others who were key to the establishment and defense of the western settlements, but there is no denying that ol’ Dan’l was a key man.
So, yeah, Boone Day is something to commemorate. I shall go burn some power in his honor.
Matthew says
Yesterday, by the way, was the anniversary of the Normandy Invasion during WWII.
In some ways, Daniel Boone become an archetype.
It would be interesting to read an alternative history were the US did not stretch from coast to coast but was a small country in the east of the continent. I have no idea what my life would be like if it was so. Would I still have lived in Texas and Colorado. Would it still be Mexican or Spanish or even part of Canada?
GAH says
Just watched the episode regarding James Harrod [“Into the wild frontier”]- very much a contemporary of Boone… He has a very interesting story but I did not know he disappeared into the wilderness never to be heard from again… GAH
JimC says
I need to catch up to that one. Did they portray it as searching for a silver mine?
Quixotic Mainer says
Boone day is the holiday this country needs!
I stopped to peruse a new sporting goods store today, and found a handmade flap holster that would fit my horse pistol languishing in the used holster bin. I thought it was just luck, but seeing as how it’s Boone day…
JimC says
Synchronicity…
Mike says
“Looking backward, there is such a sense of inevitability about the American Republic stretching from Sea to Shining Sea that we forget how fraught and contingent the actual events were.”
George Rogers Clark’s moxie and pluck in the Northwest Territory has always brought similar thoughts to mind!
JimC says
Yep. Tiny force, one man’s indomitable will — and gigantic consequences.
lane batot says
Well, of course I’m just fine as frog’s hair with thar bein’ a “Boone Day”(I didn’t know there was one, either!), but when-tha-hell are they gonna recognize “Little Bighorn Day”? Speaking of the Injuns–I have an old Indian Craft and Survival Skills book, where the author(in an afterward) postulates that America(The United States) as we know it would never have happened had it not been for the American Indians. Not only did we “borrow” the idea of united states from the Iroquois, but the Indians presenting a formidable force against European invasion, forced the U. S. citizens of various backgrounds to band together to conquer the natives, otherwise, “America” would likely have ended up divided into different countries, just like Europe was(and South and Central America are today). An interesting perspective, for sure…..
lane batot says
….And I guess the “Pilot Knob” on the sign in this post, is yet ANOTHER such mountain top, up Kentucky way. Although I’d be very surprised if Dan’l didn’t, at some point, climb our Pilot Knob down here in North Carolina, not far from where Dan’l’s Pa, Squire Boone, resettled his family when the left Pennsylvania in a huff!
Monk says
Bingo ! Bateau, you beauty, dude called Ned Blackhawk just wrote that.
lane batot says
Dude called Ned Blackhawk just wrote which??? And hey–someone who knows where my last name originated from! And thanks for the compliment! I can be beautiful once I’ve had a good shower…….
JimC says
I think he’s referring to Blackhawk’s Rediscovering America — recently published. I got it from the library but haven’t had time to crack it yet.
Monk says
That’s it.
Jean says
I grew up loving the “American ideal”. We haven’t always lived up to that ideal, but we have sometimes exceeded it. God bless America and all those who have helped it progress. Thank for this.
JimC says
Thanks for being here Jean.
SQUIRE RUSTICUS says
I think it is great Boone has a Day !!!
For 2 years I lived at Winchester, Kentucky just a few miles away from Fort Boonesboro where I would go occasionally to their trade room, or when they had an activity like a Trade Faire. I traveled to Blue Licks, places where he had a post, tavern, and the Boones had countless historical signs naming places, where Squire went to church, etc…
I got a flintlock smooth rifle made by Hale that belonged to Boone Morris whom was a famous Architect in Hawaii known for saving tradition Hawaiian Architecture, whom passed a few years back. He was a 4th generation great grandson of Daniel. I thought it a great thing to get a flintlock smooth rifle that belong to Boones 4th generation great grandson, at Fort Boonesboro. Although the rifle was only made like 30 or 40 years ago.
The Boones held great sway in the frontier settlement of Kentucky, and later the settlement of Missouri. Sad that land speculators ruined Boone where he felt the need to leave the State. He was a man worthy of admiration !
Boone’s son Nathan was a Hell of a frontiersman in his own right as many of you know, made some trips out of the Plains as a dragoon officer. Found what became the salt mines around Hutchison, Kansas. Lots of excitement with the Osages in Missouri.
Oh did anyone else notice that D-Day was mostly forgotten ? At the start of my day, I could not find note of it on any channel of the news. Finally heard it mentioned on Fox later at night.
In 1984 my father and uncles went over to the celebration with my grandfather whom was a OSS Jedburgh (he went into the South of France in August from Algeria, cause the Jeds stationed in Algeria did not have an officer to sign off on their mission, which made them furious, as they thought they were missing the war). Anyway it use to be a huge deal to the World. My mom’s cousin whom was in the 82nd in later years married a French woman whom was like 14-16 during the liberation of Paris, and was so excited the Americans were coming she rode a bicycle from Paris to Fontainebleau (like 30 or 40 miles) to welcome the Americans. She was so grateful, she use to cry when she would tell the story.