This page simply reformats the Flickr public Atom feed for purposes of finding inspiration through random exploration. These images are not being copied or stored in any way by this website, nor are any links to them or any metadata about them. All images are © their owners unless otherwise specified.
This site is a busybee project and is supported by the generosity of viewers like you.
Mark Caesar is a free Black man and Bill Wheeler is enslaved in Charles County, Maryland. The two men lead dozens of enslaved people on an epic march for freedom in 1845 that climaxes in a battle near Gaithersburg, MD against an armed militia of slave catchers. The story includes a death sentence for Wheeler and his escape from jail and a hung jury for Caesar before he is re-tried and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He dies of tuberculosis in prison five years after his incarceration.
View the 16-page PDF by clicking this link: washingtonareaspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/caesar...
Spark’s new way of telling history on its site has produced three exciting tales in the Maryland-Virginia area of the fight for freedom from slavery in the United States.
A comic book-style telling of inspiring freedom fighters based on true stories makes for easy and interesting reading for both young and old. The stories hew closely to the known facts, but include conjecture to fill in the unknown, as well as fictional dialogue.
These tales are a great way to engage young readers from fourth grade and up and an easy way for older readers to learn history they never knew.
These tales are a great way to engage young readers from fourth grade and up and an easy way for older readers to learn history they never knew.
Mark Caesar and William Wheeler – A Daring Quest for Freedom is the easiest and shortest read (16 pages) and can be read by those with a fourth grade reading level and above. Harry Washington – Freedom Ran Through His Veins is 24 pages and is set at a sixth grade reading level and above. William Parker is the longest at 36 pages and is set at a sixth grade reading level and above.
All the tales encourage readers to look up words they don’t know, including some used when the stories took place. They also include references in the back to encourage further exploration of these stories.
On the occasion of the nation’s 250th birthday and its celebration of freedom, it is important to remember that independence did not include freedom for Black people, women, Native Americans or white males without property.
These tales are available for individual PDF downloads of each separate story and as an 80-page PDF book of all three stories on the Spark site. Or you can purchase the 80-page bound book for $9.99 on Amazon. It makes a great gift for young relatives and neighbors to encourage reading and an exploration of history from a non-traditional point of view.
Harry Washington (24 pages) – Freedom Ran Through his Veins - washingtonareaspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Harry-...
Caesar and Wheeler (16 pages) – A Daring Quest for Freedom – washingtonareaspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/caesar...
William Parker – (32 pages) Bold as a Lion - washingtonareaspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/spark-...
Tales of Freedom – (80 pages) Based on True Stories (all three stories together) - washingtonareaspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/comple...
All three tales were written by Craig G. Simpson, a bus operator for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority who went on to became a labor leader in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He has a B.A. degree in labor studies from the National Labor College and is currently retired and living in North Carolina where he administrates the Washington Area Spark website and Flickr pages.
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHskfpaVtm
Knitting pattern design by Amanda Berry @fluffandfuzz
This image was taken with a Lensbaby Spark Lens. More than 800 people turned out for the No Kings 3.0 Rally in Sebastian, Florida on March 28th, 2026. One of over 3,300 demonstrations that were held, with at least one protest in every state, and several taking place in other countries in support. In the USA an estimated 8 to 10 million people took to the streets in the largest single-day protest in American History. This widespread participation highlighted the collective sentiment against fascism, the Trump Administration, the war in Iran, as well as ICE violence and killings. Resist!
More than 300 people participated in the Vero Beach May Day Strong Demonstration on May 1, 2026 in Vero Beach, Florida. Today, May Day Strong demonstrations took place nationwide, marked by rallies and marches involving workers, students, and families. The protests focused on demanding better protections for workers, highlighting economic inequality, and opposing policies seen as favoring billionaires over everyday people. Many participants called for stronger labor rights and social justice reforms, with the movement emphasizing unity and collective action to build a fairer society. The energy and turnout reflected widespread frustration and a powerful call for change on this international day of worker solidarity.
More than 300 people participated in the Vero Beach May Day Strong Demonstration on May 1, 2026 in Vero Beach, Florida. Today, May Day Strong demonstrations took place nationwide, marked by rallies and marches involving workers, students, and families. The protests focused on demanding better protections for workers, highlighting economic inequality, and opposing policies seen as favoring billionaires over everyday people. Many participants called for stronger labor rights and social justice reforms, with the movement emphasizing unity and collective action to build a fairer society. The energy and turnout reflected widespread frustration and a powerful call for change on this international day of worker solidarity.
Visit FabFree, SL's longest running freebie blog for all the details on the 50L gifts at Anthem!
Follow me on Primfeed too! www.primfeed.com/aline.passiflora
fabfree.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/lookin-like-a-snack/
Knitting pattern design by Amanda Berry @fluffandfuzz
Knitting pattern design by Amanda Berry @fluffandfuzz
Knitting pattern design by Amanda Berry @fluffandfuzz
