There were five cities on the list of potential targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Yokohama, Nigata, and Kyoto. Secretary of War Henry Stimson removed Kyoto because he argued it was a cultural center (and he had spent his honeymoon there). Nagasaki took its place. Tokyo was not on the list because it Read more
On this day in 1305, William Wallace was captured by the British. The following is part of my review of the movie “Braveheart” on my blog The War Movie Buff (https://warmoviebuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/67-braveheart.html ). As history teachers, movies can be a good supplement to our lessons, provided they are reasonably accurate. In Read more
This week marked a milestone in the history of this site. I have completed all the basic sections with the recent addition of the areas of anecdotes prior to 1870. This means American History teachers now have access to stories from Exploration, Colonization, the Revolution period, Early America, Manifest Destiny, Read more
Columbus was probably born in Genoa, Italy. His birth name was Cristoforo Colombo. In his teens, he went to sea. At age 25, his merchant ship was sunk by pirates. He floated to shore on a piece of wood and made his way to Lisbon where he studied math, astronomy, Read more
This post is for my Western Civilization and World History teachers who want something entertaining and educational to enhance their Roman history units or on a “rainy day” or for a substitute to show. “Hannibal: Rome’s Worst Nightmare” fits any of those situations nicely and it’s available free on You Read more
He was the sixth of eleven kids from a poor upper-class family. He was sent to sea under his uncle at age 12. His uncle famously said that perhaps a cannon ball would take off his head and thus solve his financial straits. He took to life at sea, but Read more
On Nov. 4, 1922, the greatest archeological find in history was made by British archeologist Howard Carter. On that day, he uncovered a stairway that led to a seal indicated it was the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, the “Boy King” who ruled from 1333-1324 B.C. He had taken Read more
In Feb., 1839, Portuguese slave hunters kidnapped hundreds of Africans and brought them to Cuba for sale. Two Spanish plantation owners bought 53 at auction. They were loaded on a ship called the Amistad (“friendship”) and sailed for the Caribbean island where they had their plantations. The cargo consisted Read more
He was the illegitimate son of Sir Thomas Chapman. Chapman had an affair with the governess to his children and then left his wife for her. They lived as man and wife under the name Lawrence. They moved around a lot and all five sons were born in different parts Read more
Catherine of Aragon – Henry became king at age 17 in 1509. Six weeks later, he married his brother Arthur’s widow. She was 24. She was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. She had Mary in 1516, but had several failed pregnancies which increasingly angered Henry, who was obsessed with Read more