On Sept. 28, 1781, Washington and his Continental Army arrived at Yorktown, Virginia and began the siege. Here is the chronology of the siege: August 1 – Cornwallis arrives at Yorktown after his pyrrhic victory at Guilford Courthouse (March 15). He expects to get reinforcements for Henry Clinton’s army in Read more…
Edward the Confessor died on Jan. 5, 1066. Being very religious meant he thought sex was a sin. Not surprisingly, he had no son to succeed him. This led to the medieval dread of a power struggle to replace the dead monarch. The English nobles comprising the witan chose Read more…
In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt was gifted a Scottish Terrier puppy by a cousin. He named the dog Murray the Outlaw of Falahill after a Scottish ancestor. Thankfully, the little dog was nicknamed Fala. FDR and his pet became fast friends. After Fala had a health scare because he was Read more…
To win a war, you must have a good strategy and use good tactics. The Greek word “strategos” is the Greek word for “general”. Their word “taktos” meant “ordered or arranged”. We now use strategy to refer to the overall plan to win a war. Tactics refers to the Read more…
Angela “Geli” Raubal was found dead in a Munich apartment on Sept. 19, 1931. She was Adolf Hitler’s neice and companion. Hitler had met her in 1925 when she was 23 years-old and he was 42. Geli was the daughter of a maid that Hitler hired. He became infatuated Read more…
Today is Constitution Day! The greatest governing document in history was signed on Sept. 17, 1787. It is the oldest and shortest (4,400 words) constitution in the world. 70 delegates were selected by the states. 55 attended the convention. 42 attended the last session. 39 signed it. 8 were also Read more…
In September, 1847, Gen. Winfield Scott’s army arrived outside Mexico City to culminate a campaign that had begun with an amphibious invasion at Vera Cruz. Scott marched inland, winning several battles along the way. As he approached the capital, he faced a larger force led by Mexican dictator Santa Read more…
In 1297, the Scots were in rebellion against King Edward I of England. William Wallace led the rebellion and marched an army of 6,000 to besiege Dundee. When he learned an English army led by John de Warrene (Earl of Surrey) approached, Wallace lifted the siege and marched to Read more…
William the Conqueror was one of the most famous medieval rulers. He acquired his title when he invaded and conquered England in 1066. He was already Duke of Normandy. In 1087, he had ruled Normandy for 31 years and England for 21. At 59 years old, he was still Read more…
After being stymied in the north, the British changed strategy and sent an army to the south, believing that the area was full of loyalists just waiting to rise up and join the British. The British did crush a rebel army at Camden, but that actually was a turning Read more…