In the First Punic War, all warships were wooden, oared galleys. The standard tactic was called the diekplus (“break through”). Fleets advanced line abreast (the galleys would approach in a side by side line). A few of the galleys would attempt to speed through a gap in the enemy line Read more
On the Roman left, Decius was more aggressive. He charged with his infantry and also led his cavalry against the enemy cavalry. He and his men rode straight into the Samnite cavalry. As the horses rammed into each other, riders squeezed their thighs inwards to cushion the collision. Although stirrups Read more
The most infamous war crime committed by United States soldiers in the Vietnam War was the My Lai Massacre. Here are some facts about it. (Most of the information comes from two US Army sources.) Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 23rd Infantry Division had suffered 28 dead or Read more
Aeschylus is known as the “Father of Greek Tragedy”. He gave us some of the most brilliant plays of the Ancient World. According to legend, he was killed in a unique way. He was sitting outside when he was around 70 years old. He was possibly pondering his next Read more
There had been earthquakes over the years, but it had been a long time since an eruption. The citizens did not know it was a volcano. The word “volcano” was not coined until the 17th The word was in honor of the god Vulcan. The date was August 24, 79 Read more
The American Emergency Rescue Committee was formed in New York after the fall of France in 1940. It was supported by Eleanor Roosevelt. It was created by intellectuals to help refugee anti-Nazi writers and artists and Jews. Varian Fry (pictured below) was one of the founders. He graduated from Read more
In the summer of 1964, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was helping register African-Americans to vote in Mississippi (Freedom Summer). On April 24, the Ku Klux Klan (which had more than 10,000 members in Mississippi) had burned 61 churches as a warning to blacks and white civil rights Read more
The recent threat of balloons over America was not the first time America has been threatened by balloons. But in 1945, we didn’t have 24 hours news stations. In 1944, Major General Kusaba of the 9th Army Technical Research Laboratory developed a secret weapon that he thought would create Read more
In 1807, Napoleon sent an army into Spain. Supposedly, the French army was allied with the Spanish army in a campaign to conquer Portugal. But soon it became apparent that the French were also there to conquer Spain. Napoleon’s brother Joseph was put on the throne. England sent an Read more
Some historians believe Mardi Gras can be traced back to two Roman celebrations. Lupercalia was a wild day where nude young men ran around and struck women with thongs. Saturnalia also had a party atmosphere. Masters served their slave banquets. Gifts were given, mostly gag gifts. Beans were baked Read more