The Battle of Ia Drang was the first battle of the Vietnam War for America. It took place on Nov. 14-15, 1965. The movie “We Were Soldiers” depicts the battle. Bruce Crandall was not well-known until the movie made him famous. Greg Read more…
The USS William D. Porter was a destroyer commissioned on July 6, 1943 with a crew of rookies commanded by Lt. Commander Wilfred Walter. Little did they know, they would attempt to assassinate the President. In November, 1943, the “Willie Dee” was assigned escort duty for the battleship Iowa. Read more…
Here’s an excellent video for Bruce Springsteen’s song about the Wall, which opened to the public on Nov. 13, 1982. Videos can be interesting additions to lessons.
When I was in elementary school, I can remember my teacher telling a story about the young Christopher Columbus watching a ship leave the harbor. He noticed that as it got further away it disappeared, but with its sails staying in sight longer than the hull. Eureka! Columbus deduced Read more…
Frederick the Great once visited a prison. At each cell, the inmate invariably proclaimed their innocence. Finally, he reached a cell where the convict remained quietly seated on his bed. Frederick looked in and said: “And what crime are you innocent of?” Convict: “I am guilty and deserve to Read more…
In 1828, Andrew Jackson was running for President. His opponents called him a “stubborn jackass”. Jackson liked the description and put a donkey on his campaign posters. The Democrats decided to adopt the donkey as their symbol. They put it on campaign posters and flyers. In 1874, there were Read more…
Kazimierz Michal Wladyslaw Wiktor Pulaski was born to a noble family in Warsaw on March 6, 1745. He loved the military so he became a cavalryman when he grew up. He fought the Russians, but his side lost. A failed attempt to kidnap the pro-Russian king got Pulaski exiled. Read more…
British teachers probably know about the Gunpowder Plot like American teachers know the assassination of JFK, but for everyone else, here is the story of the origin of Bonfire Night. In 1603, Elizabeth I died without an heir. The son of her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, James Read more…
John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children. He dropped out before high school. In 1934, he spent part of this tour in the Philippines. When his enlistment was up, he returned to civilian life, but it did not suit him. He Read more…
A myth that is still believed by many is that George Washington had dentures made of wood. This myth appeared in textbooks as late as the early 20th Century. He had at least four pairs of false teeth during his lifetime, but none were made of wood. It is Read more…