Ike and Monty

 In American History classes, teachers tend to talk about Eisenhower and Montgomery as simply the generals that helped win WWII.  We don’t have time to talk about personalities or personal dynamics.  Personalities and personal dynamics can influence history.  Here’s the story behind the relationship of the most famous American general Read more…

THE DEATH OF SOCRATES

            The greatest philosopher in history was executed on April 27, 399 B.C.  Socrates had accumulated many enemies over his 70 years of life.  His Socratic Method sometimes humiliated Athenians by showing they were confused in their beliefs.  In 404 B.C., Athens lost the Peloponnesian War.  Sparta installed a government Read more…

JOSEPH PLUMB MARTIN

            Americans are familiar with the heroes of the Revolutionary War.  People like Washington, Knox, Lafayette, and Hamilton are well known, but they all were officers.  Few people have heard of the most famous common soldier of the war.  Joseph Plumb Martin was born in Massachusetts on November 21, 1760.  Read more…

THE TRANSVESTITE GOVERNOR

                In 1702, the new governor-general opened the New York Assembly in an elegant hoop dress and elaborate headdress.  The only problem was she was a he.  Lord Cornbury had been appointed to the position because he was the cousin of Queen Anne of England.  When asked about his dress, Read more…

OPERATION VENGEANCE

            The architect of the Pearl Harbor attack was assassinated on April 18, 1943.  Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the head of the Japanese navy and the man most responsible for Japanese successes in the war in the Pacific.  He was indispensable.  On April 14, the naval codebreaking effort called “Magic” Read more…

THE COLFAX MASSACRE

            The governor’s election of 1872 created a lot of tension in Louisiana.  It was marked by a lot of corruption and voter fraud.  The Republicans supported black enfranchisement and the Democrats were doing their best to maintain white supremacy.  Pres. Grant sent federal troops to support the Republican candidate.  Read more…