Kazimierz Michal Wladyslaw Wiktor Pulaski was born to a noble family in Warsaw on March 6, 1745. He loved the military so he became a cavalryman when he grew up. He fought the Russians, but his side lost. A failed attempt to kidnap the pro-Russian king got Pulaski exiled. Read more…
British teachers probably know about the Gunpowder Plot like American teachers know the assassination of JFK, but for everyone else, here is the story of the origin of Bonfire Night. In 1603, Elizabeth I died without an heir. The son of her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, James Read more…
John Basilone was born on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children. He dropped out before high school. In 1934, he spent part of this tour in the Philippines. When his enlistment was up, he returned to civilian life, but it did not suit him. He Read more…
A myth that is still believed by many is that George Washington had dentures made of wood. This myth appeared in textbooks as late as the early 20th Century. He had at least four pairs of false teeth during his lifetime, but none were made of wood. It is Read more…
In the early days of TV, quiz shows were extraordinarily popular. The suspense of watching a contest sweat out a question that could make or break them was compelling entertainment. There were a bunch of these shows, including “The $64,000 Question”, “The Big Surprise”, “Dotto”, and “Twenty-One”. What viewers Read more…
We’re all familiar with the assassination attempts that succeeded. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy. And most are familiar with the attempt on Reagan’s life. And the two attempts on Ford’s life. Less know about the Andrew Jackson incident. All were by people who were lacking in sanity. But there was Read more…
The following story is an example of an apocryphal story. Apocryphal means the anecdote is most likely not true. Or, as I would say, too good to be true. Many apocryphal stories begin with a true story that is “enhanced” for entertainment purposes. Unfortunately, the story is usually passed on Read more…
Vasili Arkhipov was born to a peasant family in 1926. He enlisted in the Soviet Navy and served on a minesweeper in WWII. He rose to executive officer on the K-19. It was one of the first Soviet nuclear subs. In 1961, the sub had a problem with its Read more…
Ernest Evans was the Commander of the destroyer USS Johnston. Evans was a Native American (half Cherokee, one fourth Creek). He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1931. On Oct. 27, 1943, he was given command of the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Johnston. He told his crew “this is going to Read more…
David McCampbell was the “Ace of Aces” for the US Navy in WWII. He also is the record holder (in no danger of ever being broken) for most enemy planes downed in one mission. McCampbell did not shoot down his first Japanese plane until June 11, 1944. He had Read more…