In military terminology, “Broken Arrow” is an accident involving a nuclear bomb that does not result in detonation. From 1950-1980, there were 21 declassified incidents where nuclear bombs were lost, accidentally dropped, ejected from a plane for safety reasons, or Read more…
Several phrases we use today originated in the Royal Navy in the days of wooden warships. “chock-a-block” – this refers to the blocks used on pulleys to raise cargo onto the ship. When the two blocks got next to Read more…
A typical seaman in the Royal Navy in the early 19th Century was awakened at 3:40. He and his mates gathered on the deck for muster and inspection and then morning watch began. Each tar (as the sailors were Read more…
On Jan. 23, 1968, the U.S. surveillance ship USS Pueblo was on routine duty 16 miles off the coast of North Korea. The ship’s job was to monitor North Korea for intelligence information as part of Operation Clickbeetle. Suddenly, Read more…
One of the most famous battles in British history took place on Jan. 22, 1879. The Battle of Rorke’s Drift took place during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The war was brought about because of British desire to expand Read more…
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jackson, a man who was a much better general than teacher. Here is a cute story from his teaching career. Stonewall Jackson was one of the greatest generals in American Read more…
On January 20, 1870, Victoria Woodhull and her sister open the first stock brokerage firm run by women. Victoria Woodhull had a tough childhood. Her father was a small-time criminal and the family lived in poverty. At age 13, she Read more…
Iva Toguri D’Aquino was born to Japanese immigrants in 1916 in Los Angeles. In 1941, she reluctantly went to Japan to care for an ailing relative. Although she did not intend to stay, she was caught in Japan when Read more…
Today is the birthday of one of the most important individuals in the settling of the West. Joseph Glidden was born on Jan. 18, 1813. Without his invention, ranchers might have won their war with farmers. The following anecdote is Read more…
Alphonse Capone was born the 4th of 9 children to Italian immigrants in Brooklyn. His father was a barber. One of his brothers changed his name and became a Prohibition agent. He was in a street gang as a teenager. Read more…