Anecdote
OLD HICKORY GETS LUCKY
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, Read more…
Anecdote
THE DEATH OF CALIGULA
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 Read more…
Anecdote
DICK WINTERS
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 Read more…
Anecdote
THE FIRST FEMALE STOCK BROKER
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 Read more…
Anecdote
THE REAL BLIGH
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 Read more…
Anecdote
LORD HAW HAW
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 Read more…
Anecdote
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HERMANN GOERING
He was born on Jan. 12, 1893 to a wealthy diplomat. After six weeks, his mother left him with another woman so she could join her husband in Haiti. He did not see his parents for another three years. His Read more…
Anecdote
IT’S ALICE PAUL’S BIRTHDAY!
Today is the anniversary of the birth of my favorite suffragist. Alice Paul was born on Jan. 11, 1885. Although not as well known as Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman-Catt, she arguably was more important in getting women suffrage. Read more…
Anecdote
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
One of America’s greatest scientists was born on Jan. 10, 1864. Here are the notes I gave to my American History classes. born a slave raised by ex-slave owner after being orphaned graduated from college became director of agricultural research Read more…
Anecdote
FORGOTTEN HERO: Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam was born on Jan. 7, 1718. He parents opposed the Salem Witch Trials. They signed a petition to exonerate the elderly Rebecca Nurse, but it failed. When he reached adulthood, he bought farmland in Connecticut. He Read more…