Anecdote
TUNNEL RATS
In Vietnam, it took a while for Americans to figure out how the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese avoided contact so well. Part of it was their ability to hide in the jungle, but they also had an intricate Read more
Anecdote
The 761st Tank Battalion
Probably the most famous segregated Army unit in WWII was the 761st Tank Battalion. The unit was nicknamed the “Black Panthers” and its motto was “Come Out Fighting”. It was created in March, 1942 and trained in the south Read more
Anecdote
EMANUEL LEUTZE
Today is the birthday of Emanuel Leutze. Born on May 24, 1816, he painted “Washington Crossing the Delaware” in 1850-51. Leutze grew up in America and then returned to his homeland. He had learned to draw while sitting at the Read more
Anecdote
WILLIAM CARNEY
On this day in 1900, William Carney received his Medal of Honor. William Carney was born a slave in Virginia. He used the Underground Railroad to reach relatives in Massachusetts. In 1863, he enlisted in the famous 54th Massachusetts Read more
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BROOKS CANES SUMNER
It’s easy to think the partisanship in Congress could not be worse, but it has been in the past. As vicious as some of the rhetoric can get, at least we have not had any physical altercations, yet. On May Read more
Anecdote
THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB CASE
One “Crime of the Century” occurred on this day in 1924. Nathan Leopold (18-years old) and Richard Loeb (19) thought they had committed the perfect crime when they kidnapped and killed 14- year old Bobby Franks. They hadn’t, but Read more
Anecdote
THE HISTORY OF THE TEDDY BEAR
If I might get personal, today my grandson Rhys graduates from kindergarten. His mother got him a teddy bear as a graduation present. This reminded me of one of my favorite stories about my favorite President. One of the Read more
Anecdote
THE BATH SCHOOL DISASTER
I hesitated to research this event and then I pondered whether to post it. But American History teachers can not ignore the bad moments in our history. Not that I would pass this one on to your students. It is Read more
Anecdote
THE USS STARK INCIDENT
On May 17, 1987 the USS Stark was hit by two missiles from an Iraqi jet. 37 crewmen were killed. The incident occurred in the Persian Gulf during the waning days of the Iran-Iraq War. The frigate was on routine Read more
Anecdote
PROFILE IN COURAGE – EDMUND ROSS
On May 16, 1868, Pres. Andrew Johnson came within one vote of being removed from office. That one vote was that of Sen. Edmund Ross. On March 3, Johnson had been impeached by the House 126-47. Although Johnson was Read more