A half year of American turmoil and the launch of “There and Here”
There and Here
July 5, 2025
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 40th anniversary as Great Britain’s monarch at the end of a tough year for the Royals in 1992. Three princely children, Charles, Anne and Andrew saw their marriages dissolved followed by a disastrous fire at Windsor Castle. Marking accession to the throne Elizabeth noted, “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure … it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis.’”
This Latin phrase popularized by the Queen has been used to characterize other ugly years. The Catholic Church’s declaration of papal infallibility in the eyes of a Methodist publication earned that distinction. “The Guardian” newspaper labeled the chaotic year 1968 as simultaneously “annus mirabilis” (wondrous) and “annus horribilis.” And American diplomat Richard Holbrooke said Vladimir Putin’s loss of influence over Georgia and Ukraine to newly pro-western governments was “annus horribilis” for the Russian tyrant. He hasn’t taken it well.
This week marked the halfway point of our journey through 2025 and I’d argue the 166 days of the Trump Administration have not been “undiluted pleasure.” It has been a “tragic” (half) year for America.
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