Anecdote
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 Read more
Anecdote
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 Read more
Anecdote
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, Read more
Anecdote
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NELLIE BLY
Elizabeth Cochran (she later added an e to Cochran) was born on May 5, 1864. The was the 13th of 15 children. Her father was a factory owner and county judge. When he died when she was 6, he did Read more
Anecdote
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE RED BARON
Manfred von Richthofen was born on May 2, 1892 in Kleinburg, Germany (today Poland). His family was from the lower nobility and he inherited the title Freiherr (“free lord”) which was equivalent to a baron. He was sent to military Read more
Anecdote
THE AMERICAN PILOT WHO SHOT DOWN AN AMERICAN PLANE
I saw this story and thought it must be fake, but after researching it, I found that it is true and amazing. Louis Curdes wanted to fly, so he joined the Army Air Force in 1942. He was stationed Read more
Uncategorized
Ike and Monty
In American History classes, teachers tend to talk about Eisenhower and Montgomery as simply the generals that helped win WWII. We don’t have time to talk about personalities or personal dynamics. Personalities and personal dynamics can influence history. Here’s the Read more
Anecdote
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 Read more
Anecdote
THE CHERNOBYL DISASTER
The worst nuclear power disaster in history started on April 26, 1986. It occurred at a nuclear power plant in what is today Ukraine (but was Russia back then). It is located 60 miles north of Kyiv. The accident Read more
Anecdote
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 Read more