Lafayette “Lafe” Pool was born to a Texas farm family in 1919. When he graduated from high school, he attempted to enlist in the Navy. His twin brother was taken, but he wasn’t because of an eye injury. He 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 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 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 Read more…
On the night of Oct. 30, 1938, America was invaded by Martians. Over the next couple of hours, the aliens killed millions and conquered Earth, but then germs (today it would be fast food) killed them because they had Read more…
The first use of Native Americans as code-talkers was in WWI. The Germans were intercepting and decoding Army messages. An officer overheard two Choctaw Indians talking in their language and had an idea. They and several other Choctaw were Read more…
Eddie Rickenbacker had an incredible life. He was a famous race car driver and raced in the Indianapolis 500. He enlisted in the Army when the US entered WWI. He was Gen. John Pershing’s personal driver until he talked Read more…
The stray tuxedo cat must have thought it was lucky when it was picked up off a street in Paris and put in the French space program. Good food and a safe place to live. It, along with 13 Read more…
Heraclitus is one of the great Greek philosophers. He is best known for his belief that the world is constantly changing. His most famous quote was: “no man ever steps into the same river twice”. According to legend, at Read more…
On Oct. 8, 1871, the most famous fire in American history broke out in Chicago. Before it was over it had created $200 million in damages and cost the lives of 300 people. 90,000 were left Read more…