An interesting historical story.
Empedocles (c. 492-432 B.C.) was one of the great intellects of the Ancient World. He was multi-talented and was a philosopher, doctor, and poet. His greatest achievement was development of the “theory of the four elements” – earth, wind, fire, and water. A strong believer in democracy, he helped Read more…
Four men met at Chaplain’s School at Harvard University in 1942 and forged a friendship that would last until their deaths the next year. A chaplain is a priest, rabbi, minister, reverend, etc. that serves in the armed forces. They provide spiritual leadership, minister to soldiers and their families, Read more…
Alexander Selcraig (he changed his name later) was born in Scotland in 1676. He was an unruly child and once beat up his whole family because of a simple prank. Later, It was jail or the sea, so he signed on as a privateer (a government sponsored pirate). In Read more…
One of Gen. George Washington’s greatest strengths was intelligence gathering. His most successful spy ring was the Culper Ring. It was organized by a farmer named Abraham Woodhull. Abraham would make trips to British occupied New York City and file reports on British forces and plans. He recruited spies Read more…
Andrew Jackson had his enemies, like the entire Whig Party, but it was a lunatic who tried to take him out. Richard Lawrence came to America from England at age 12. He grew up to become a house painter, but as an adult he began to evidence bizarre behavior, Read more…
Caligula was one of the most famous evil Roman emperors. His depravity has been well chronicled. For example, he supposedly proposed that his favorite horse Incitatus be appointed as consul. He killed his sister who he had impregnated. These are famous anecdotes, but what about his death? In 41 Read more…
Jan. 21, 1918 is the birthday of a hero of WWII who would have remained unknown if not for a spectacular mini-series. In 1990, historian Stephen Ambrose sat down with Dick Winters to interview him about his WWII experiences for a book about the war. It was Winters who suggested Read more…
On Jan. 20, 1870, Victoria Woodhull and her sister open the first stock brokerage firm run by women. Victoria Woodhull had a tough childhood. Her father was a small-time criminal and the family lived in poverty. At age 13, she and her sister would conduct seances and turn the money Read more…
There have been at least five movies on the “Mutiny on the Bounty”. William Bligh became the poster boy for tyrannical captains. He is depicted as mistreating his crew with his unreasonable discipline to the point where they justifiably mutiny against him. Led by the saintly Fletcher Christian. Be Read more…
America had Tokyo Rose and Great Britain had Lord Haw Haw. William Joyce was born in Brooklyn. His Irish immigrant family moved back home when he was a child. His family was anti-independence and he joined the British Intelligence agency as a teenager. He participated in the Irish War Read more…