Victoria

This past Sunday, a wonderful new mini series on the life and history of Queen Victoria, began on PBS.   Tomorrow we will witness our own history as the transfer of power from one administration, that of President Obama, to that of the President-elect, Donald Trump takes place at his inauguration.  What I was struck by in watching the first episode of Victoria, is that in every country, it seems, there is a period of adjustment as a new ruler comes to power. According to the PBS website:

“The eight-part drama follows Victoria from the time she becomes Queen in 1837 at the age of 18, through her courtship and marriage to Prince Albert. Famous for her candor and spirit, she was the first woman who seemed to have it all: a passionate marriage, nine children, and the job of being Queen of the world’s most important nation. Victoria’s often tumultuous reign lasted for 63 years; she was England’s longest-serving monarch until she was overtaken by Elizabeth II in September, 2015.”

Victoria will air on Sunday evenings on PBS.  Check your local listing for times.  If you missed Episode 1 you can watch it on-line at PBS Masterpiece.

Here is the trailer for Victoria:

Tomorrow we will watch another chapter in our American history unfold.  What it will look like, and the impact President Trump will have on America, and the world, is yet to be revealed. But 180 years ago a tiny young woman (Victoria was 4’11’) came to power and left a remarkable impression on her nation, and the entire world.  So important was her impact that the years of her reign have come to be known throughout the world as the Victorian Era.  As Wikipedia describes it “It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence.”  May God grant that the coming era in our nation’s history be remembered much the same.