An interesting historical story.
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…
Marcus Agrippa was born around 63 B.C., possibly on Oct. 23. Some historians think the name Agrippa comes from the word for “breech birth”. His mother may have died in giving birth to him. He was the same age as Octavian and they were educated together. He grew up Read more…
For sixteen years, Hannibal roamed Italy defeating every Roman army that he faced. But he could not capture Rome and few Italian cities allied with him. The only way to end this dominance was to have a general equal to Hannibal. That general was Scipio. He learned from Hannibal’s Read more…
Phillis Wheatley was born in western Africa. She was shipped to America as a slave around age 7. Transported to Boston, she was bought by the Wheatley family. As was common, she took their last name. Phillis was the name of the slave ship! Talk about an everyday reminder Read more…
Gregory Boyington was born on December 4, 1912. He grew up loving planes. When he was 6 years old, he convinced famous stunt pilot Clyde Pangborn to take him aloft. (Pangborn was the first person to fly nonstop across the Pacific.) He went to the University of Washington where Read more…