PowerPoint Notes

Today in class, we took notes from a power point regarding the essay, A Message to Garcia. In the power point, I read that this essay is an inspirational essay published in March, 1899. It was reprinted as a pamphlet and book. The book sold over 40 millions copies and it was printed in 37 different languages. The essay was later made into a movie, twice; once in 1916, and again in 1936. "Take a message to Garcia" became a popular slang expression meaning taking initiative. This term is still used in the military. In the essay, it was set during the Spanish-American war. Garcia was a revolutionary seeking Cuban independence from Spain. Rowan was an army officer from West Point, class of 1881. McKinley was the 25th president, from 1897-1901. He was assassinated six months into his second term as president by an anarchist. The mountain Denali was named after president McKinley, but as of last week, the mountain is called Denali again. I also learned what the words perihelion, slipshod, imbecility, stenographer, and missive meant. At the end of the power point, I copied down a quote from Elbert Hubbard. He said, "The world bestows its big prizes, both money and honors, but for one thing. And that is initiative. What is initiative? I'll tell you: it is doing the right thing without being told."