When Democracy Fell

Paul Callahan, an Oxford native from Talbot County, Maryland, is a retired Marine Officer and accomplished aviator. After graduating from the Catholic University of America, he was commissioned as a Marine Officer, later earning his wings and selected to fly the F/A-18 aircraft in 1988. Paul's professional journey is marked by his time working with the On-Site Inspection Agency in Washington, D.C., where he contributed to arms control treaty planning. During this period, he traveled extensively within the former Soviet Union, gaining firsthand insight into the impact of totalitarian regimes. His experiences within oppressed regimes sparked a profound appreciation for the freedoms and liberties guaranteed by the American Constitution. Post-military, Paul joined a major U.S. airline, later going on medical leave in 2021 for cancer treatment. This unexpected hiatus offered him the opportunity to delve into his interest in Maryland's history and its local historical figures. Stumbling upon international newspaper articles from 1861 detailing a planned attack on Washington led by General Tench Tilghman, Paul realized the depth of unexplored history surrounding Maryland during the Civil War. Thus, "When Democracy Fell" was born, a comprehensive documentation of the Federal Government's manipulation and control of Maryland during this tumultuous period. His deep concern for contemporary political challenges facing U.S democracy reinforces his belief in the significance of telling this story. He sees striking parallels between the divisive politics, mistrust, and media manipulation of 1861 and today, making his work not just historical, but strikingly relevant.