Anecdote
GERTRUDE EDERLE
Gertrude Ederle was the daughter of German immigrants. When she was a child, her father taught his children how to swim at a New Jersey beach. Gertrude was a natural. She got so good that she dropped out of Read more…
Anecdote
NURSERY RHYME: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,How does your garden grow?With silver bells, and cockle shells,And pretty maids all in a row. “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” was first published in 1744. There are various theories with regard to its meaning. The most likely Read more…
Anecdote
“FATHER”
The Civil War is sometimes called the “brothers’ war” because some families were split in allegiance. Some family members joined the Union Army and others the Confederate Army. During the Seven Days Battle fought outside Richmond in 1862. The Read more…
Anecdote
IT STARTED WITH 24 RABBITS
Thomas Austin thought it would be great to do some rabbit hunting. Australia already had domesticated rabbits, but they weren’t fun to hunt. The wealthy Australian had 24 wild European rabbits imported from the other side of the world. Read more…
Anecdote
THE NINE DAY QUEEN
Today is the fifth anniversary of this website. Thank you to all the teachers who have used it and all others who have visited. Jane Grey was born in 1517 to a noble family. She was the great Read more…
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THE PORT CHICAGO DISASTER
Port Chicago was a Navy loading area near San Francisco. It was located about a mile from the Port Chicago Naval Magazine. Trains would bring bombs and other explosives to the liberty ships. Most of the loaders were African-Americans Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF STONY POINT
In May, 1779, British Gen. Henry Clinton marched out of New York City with 8,000 men. He was headed for West Point hoping to provoke Washington into a decisive battle. On the way, he captured the abandoned fort at Stony Read more…
Anecdote
A LIFE SAVED AND A LIFE TAKEN
The most famous conqueror almost didn’t conquer anything. In 334 B.C., Alexander (not the Great, yet) invaded Asia Minor to begin his conquest of the Persian Empire. His first battle was at the River Granicus. The Persian army, stiffened Read more…
Anecdote
A TALE OF TWO PROPHECIES
In 480 B.C., Athens learned that a huge Persian army and fleet were coming to get revenge for the Battle of Marathon. The chances of defeating the Persians were small. Many Greek city-states gave “earth and water” symbolizing surrendering Read more…
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THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
This post is about the signers of the Declaration. Keep in mind that most of them signed on August 2, 1776. Only John Hancock signed it on July 4. The last to sign was Thomas McKean of Delaware. He signed Read more…