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 they met the boat.” A good student, he dropped out 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 the Democratic Party tried to dump him. Party leaders asked 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 death penalty for stealing a head of cabbage?” Draco: “I 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 no immunity. Naturally, many people listening to news reports on 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 assigned to deliver messages in their language. Machine gun became 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 him into allowing him to join the air corps. He 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 other strays, was a candidate for first cat in space. 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 the end of his life he was suffering from dropsy 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 homeless. The city was ripe for a fire due to Read more…
The lack of a key might have doomed over 1,500 people on board the Titanic. The ship was five days into its maiden voyage when it hit an iceberg. The iceberg was not spotted in time to take evasive action. The two sailors in the crow’s nest did not Read more…