In 1519, Hernan Cortes landed in Mexico with 500 men, 100 sailors, and 16 horses. He burned his ships when he decided that his goal was the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan or bust. He hooked up with a maiden named Malinche (Marina after being baptized) who gave birth to their Read more…
On June 28, 1880, the notorious Australian outlaw Ned Kelly was captured. Ned Kelly’s father was sent to Australia from Ireland for stealing two pigs. As a boy, the young Ned saved another boy from drowning, but his future would be focused on taking lives. The son took after Read more…
One of the most famous battles in American History occurred during the centennial year on June 25, 1876. For a long time it was called “Custer’s Last Stand”, but today it is correctly titled the Battle of Little Bighorn. Here are some interesting facts about the battle. In 1868, at Read more…
Recently I started a debate over who was the best Roman general. I proposed Scipio Africanus as the best and many proposed others, particularly Julius Caesar. I think that those who support Caesar certainly have plenty of evidence to back up their choice. I will readily concede that he is Read more…
Erich Paul Remark was born in Germany on June 22, 1898. He was born to a working-class family and was the third of four children. He was drafted into the German army at age 18 in June, 1917. He fought in the trenches on the Western Front and was Read more…
Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother 40 whacks When she saw what she had done She gave her father 41 Andrew Borden now is dead Lizzie hit him on the head Up Read more…
One of the biggest mysteries of the 20th Century was what happened to Anastasia. Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaeuna was born on June 18, 1901. She was the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II of Russia. Her birth was a disappointment to the Czar, who was hoping for a make Read more…
Catherine was the daughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent who ruled Florence. She was orphaned when both parents died within weeks of her birth. When her family was overthrown at age 8, she was taken hostage and shuffled from nunnery to nunnery. She was rescued by her uncle Pope Clement Read more…
One of the most remarkable women in British history was Aethelflaed (869-918). She was the daughter of Alfred the Great. He was considered great because he defeated the Danes and pushed them into northern England. He ruled Wessex wisely from 877-899. He named his daughter “noble beauty”. At age Read more…
The first American flag was nicknamed the Continental Colors. It was used by the Second Continental Congress at the time of the Declaration of Independence. It had the Union Jack (the British flag design) in the upper corner and 13 red and white stripes. Surprisingly, it resembled the British East Read more…