THE NIIHAU INCIDENT

            The Japanese fleet had no idea how successful the Pearl Harbor attack would be, but it was safe to assume some of its planes would be hit and unable to return to their carriers.  The pilots were told to fly to Niihau island and wait for a submarine to Read more

FORGOTTEN HERO:  Jacob Brown

            Jacob Brown was born on May 9, 1775.  Raised a Quaker, he would later overlook their pacifist beliefs.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1790.  After teaching for a few years, he settled in upstate New York and became prosperous and a leading member of his community.  Read more

THE HINDENBURG DISASTER

            The most famous air ship disaster occurred on May 6, 1937.  The Hindenburg was the largest dirigible ever made.  Since it was German, it was called a “zeppelin”.  It was designed to make long flights and the year before, it had made 10 trips to the U.S., uneventfully.  On 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