The Spartans were not exactly romantic. When a Spartan male decided it was time to get married and start a family, he would abduct his intended bride from her home. The girl would be turned over to an older woman called a nymphentria who would prepare her for the wedding Read more…
Interesting Facts About Mount Rushmore The idea originated in 1923 with South Dakota historian Doane Robinson who hoped it would increase tourism to the state. It was created by John Gutzon de la Mothe Borghum, who had earlier carved Confederate leaders on Stone Mountain, Georgia. He chose Mount Rushmore because Read more…
In 193 A.D. in Ancient Rome, the Praetorian Guard assassinated the Emperor Pertinax and then auctioned off the throne to the highest bidder. A wealthy senator named Didius Julianus offered the high bid – the equivalent of $1,000 per guard. When word arrived of the death of Pertinax, a general Read more…
The Korean War Memorial was initiated by the Korean War Veterans Advisory Board in 1986 after Congress passed a law calling for a memorial. Pres. Reagan appointed veterans to the board. It was constructed with private contributions. Pres. George H.W. Bush broke ground in 1992. It was dedicated on July Read more…
During the Middle Ages, in some areas of Europe, it was considered bad luck to meet a priest first thing in the morning. A popular joke had a woman making the sign of the cross when she encountered a priest on a country lane early one morning. The priest asked Read more…
The Battle of Cedar Creek occurred on Oct. 19, 1864 in the war-ravaged Shenandoah Valley. Confederate Gen. Jubal Early initiated the action with an attack on a Union camp. The Yankees were taken completely by surprise and beat a hasty retreat, losing 1,300 prisoners and 24 cannons. The Union commander Read more…
Marcus Crassus became the richest man in Rome partly through real estate. He created the first fire department in Rome. Sometimes he paid arsonists to set fire to a house and then he would wait around the corner with his fire fighters. When the fire was underway, Crassus and his Read more…
One of the most famous units in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was the Louisiana Tigers. They had a reputation of being terrors on the battlefield … and in camp. The nickname originated with a volunteer company raised by Maj. Chatham Wheat in New Orleans. It was called the “Tiger Read more…
On their wedding night, Napoleon and Josephine retired to her bedroom only to find Josephine’s dog in his usual place in the middle of the bed. When Napoleon approached the bed, the dog growled and Josephine explained that the dog was very possessive. They should try not to disturb the Read more…
There were at least four major snow ball fights (“snow balling”) between Confederate units in the Civil War. The biggest occurred on Jan. 29, 1863 after two feet of snow blanketed the Rappahannock Valley in Virginia. It started when the 1st and 4th Texas Regiments took on the 5th. When Read more…