Hattip to my co-blogger Tito at The American Catholic for bringing to my attention the beautiful video above that animates the Bayeaux tapestry which tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, a pivotal moment in English, and hence American, history.
The Norman conquest opened England to French influence and changed the English language through wholesale importation of French and Latin words into the tongue. William the Bastard, in more ways than one, Duke of Normandy and, after Hastings, King of England, the ablest soldier of his day, bequeathed to his successors a centralized monarchy which helped England to become a power in Europe, and developed institutions which would guide English life for centuries. The importance of the day of battle at Hastings for English history cannot be overstated.
Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Almost Chosen People 
Well done D!