The apex of my civic pride and personal contentment was reached on the bright September morning when I entered the public school.
– Mary Antin
One positive command he gave us: You shall love and honor your emperor. In every congregation a prayer must be said for the czar's health, or the chief of police would close the synagogue.
– Mary Antin
On a royal birthday every house must fly a flag, or the owner would be dragged to a police station and be fined twenty-five rubles.
– Mary Antin
As we moved along in a little procession, I was delighted with the illumination of the streets. So many lamps, and they burned until morning, my father said, and so people did not need to carry lanterns.