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…
King George II of England liked to go out at night in disguise to sample the ladies of the realm. One night, in disguise, he visited a house of prostitution. During his visit his pocket was picked and when it came time to pay his bill he was in a Read more…
The picture is of a famous incident in Daniel Boone’s life. His daughter Jemima and two other teenage girls had been captured by a Shawnee war party. Boone and others tracked the Indians for two days and ambushed them, rescuing the girls. In another famous story, it was Boone himself Read more…
Agrippina was the wife of Emperor Claudius. She had a son named Nero from her first marriage. She was determined that her son would be the next emperor. When Claudius began to have second thoughts of his step-son succeeding him, she poisoned her husband. Before she put her plan into Read more…
The parole system originated in Europe and was used in America for the first and only time in the Civil War. It basically involved the exchange of prisoners. Until an exchange could be arranged, the prisoner was paroled meaning they could not participate in any military activities that would benefit Read more…
On his return from India, Alexander and his army had to traverse the very dry Gedrosian Desert. At one point, the army was down to its last canteen of water. It was brought to Alexander. He asked if there was enough for everyone and when he was told no, he Read more…
Taverns were the multi-purpose establishments of colonial and early America. The name comes from the Roman word taberna. An American tavern could be defined as a place for alcoholic beverages, food, and lodging. But that was just the basics. Taverns were the hubs of villages and towns. They were like Read more…