THE CLOSING OF THE GATE

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.  There were many important moments in that decisive battle – a battle that changed the course of European history.  But according to the Duke of Wellington, the most crucial moment was the closing of the gate at Hougoumont.                 On June Read more…

THE REICHSTAG FIRE

                Around 9 P.M. on Feb. 27, 1933, Hans Flotter witnessed a man on a balcony of the Reichstag building in Berlin.  The man was carrying something on fire.  Flotter called the police.  A policeman went into the building and shot at a man moving around in it.  The man Read more…

THE ORIGIN OF BASEBALL

                According to legend, baseball was invented on June 12, 1839 by Abner Doubleday.  One problem was that Doubleday was busy with his studies at West Point in 1839.  Doubleday went on the participate in the Civil War where he was at Fort Sumter when it was bombarded.   He rose Read more…

TRIAL BY ORDEAL

                The Middle Ages is infamous for its “medieval justice”.  There were various methods for determining an accused’s guilt or innocence.  Trial by compurgation involved the accused and the accuser getting as many people to swear an oath in your favor.  Whoever got the most supporters won the case.  I’m Read more…