Anecdote
AXIS SALLY
Millard Gillars was born in Maine, but in 1934 she was living in Germany. In 1940, she got a job as an announcer for German State Radio. When the U.S. declared war on Germany, she declined to return because Read more…
Anecdote
THE HISTORY OF THE PLEDGE
In 1887, Capt. George Balch wanted to encourage immigrants to be loyal to their new country. He came up with a pledge: “We give our heads and hearts to God and our country: one country, one language, one flag!” Read more…
Anecdote
THE AMAZONS HOOK UP WITH THE SCYTHIANS
Herodotus told this story and as with many of his tales, take it with a grain of salt. Once upon a time, the Greeks defeated the Amazons in a battle. They captured a number of Amazon warriors and shipped Read more…
Anecdote
THE GREATEST FEMALE WAR CORRESPONDENT
I go way back with Marguerite. My favorite Korean War reading assignment was one of her stories about a North Korean attack on an American unit that she was embedded with. I also used to tell an anecdote about her Read more…
Anecdote
THE HARPAX
The Mediterranean world was not big enough for both Octavian and Marc Antony. Political allies in the Second Triumvirate, the two most powerful Romans had broken up with Octavian taking the western half of the Roman Empire and Antony Read more…
Anecdote
THE DEATH OF A QUEEN
The death of Cleopatra is shrouded in legend. We do know that it occurred after the defeat of Marc Antony and Cleopatra’s fleet at Actium in 31. Supposedly, Marc Antony fled the battle when he saw Cleopatra’s ship leaving Read more…
Anecdote
THE RISE AND FALL OF POWDERED WIGS
Wigs for men and women became a thing in the 16th Century. Most men that wore them were trying to hide baldness because healthy hair was a mark of good breeding. Louis XIV of France helped popularize them. Read more…
Anecdote
THE MARBLEHEADERS
The 14th Continental Regiment twice had a role in saving the American Revolution. If not for them, the United States would have gone the route of Canada. The unit was created as a militia in January, 1775 in anticipation Read more…
Anecdote
“LET THE BOY WIN HIS SPURS”
In 1337, the Hundred Years’ War began when British King Edward III claimed the throne of France. On July 12, 1346, he invaded Normandy with an army of 4,000 knights, 5,000 men-at-arms with spears, and 7,000 archers armed with Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF BLAIR MOUNTAIN
The coal fields of West Virginia were terrible places to work. Not only was the job dangerous, but the housing was poor and the pay was low. Miners lived in company towns provided by the owners. They were paid Read more…