An interesting historical story.
Poison gas was first used in WWI at the Second Battle of Ypres. The Germans initiated this step forward in making war even more inhumane. On the Eastern Front, the German army faced the Russians. One of the most strategic locations was the Osowiec Fortress in Poland. The Germans Read more
Five weeks before he was to leave office, President George W. Bush made a trip to Iraq to get some credit for the improved situation there due to the recent troop surge. On Dec. 14, 2008, he was giving a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Read more
Here is the history of the Declaration of Independence. Declaring independence was approved by vote of the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. July 4, 1776 – President of the Second Continental Congress John Hancock and the clerk signed the document. July 19, 1776 – New York, which Read more
The worst coal mining disaster in American History occurred on Dec. 6, 1907. In the 19th Century, coal mining was very important as coal was used for cooking and heating. Coal mining was a very dangerous job. The total deaths in 1907 was 3,242. Mining companies were notorious for Read more
Marco Polo was born in Venice around 1254. His father left his pregnant mother to go with Marco’s uncle to trade with China on the Silk Road. He met his father for the first time when he returned when Marco was 15 years old. In 1271, he and his Read more
Charles was a major player in the Hundred Years War. At times he sided with the English, and at other times he sided with the French. His unscrupulous machinations got him the title Charles the Bad. His death probably brought a smile to many of his enemies. According to Read more
Vlad III was born on Nov. 8, 1431 in Transylvania (part of modern Romania). Vlad was the son on Vlad II Dracul. The “Dracul” referred to his membership in a military fraternity called Order of the Dragon created by Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund to face the Ottoman Empire. Vlad Read more
Will Rogers was born in Indian Territory in what is today Oklahoma. The date was Nov. 4, 1879. He considered himself to be a Cherokee American. He liked to say: “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.” A good student, he dropped out Read more
The biggest Presidential election upset occurred on Nov. 2, 1948. The incumbent was Harry Truman. He had succeeded Franklin Roosevelt and was attempting to be elected on his own. Success seemed inconceivable. His approval ratings were so low that the Democratic Party tried to dump him. Party leaders asked Read more
Draco was a celebrated reformer in Athens. His strict code of laws gave us the word “draconian”. There is a famous anecdote that has a citizen reproaching Draco for the strictness of his laws. “How do you justify the death penalty for stealing a head of cabbage?” Draco: “I Read more