Category: event & history
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Prisoners Of War Throughout History
When Everett Alvarez Jr. signed up for the U.S. Air Force in 1960, he didn’t imagine that he would become the first and nearly longest-held American prisoner of war in Vietnam; he just wanted to fly. Alvarez, the son of two poor Mexican immigrants, had just graduated as an engineer from Santa Clara University and…
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During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese Utilize Kamikaze (“divine wind”) Airplanes Against American Warships for the First Time. It will Prove Disastrous – to Both Sides. October 25, 1944.
Image: St. Lo exploding after a kamikaze strike. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 25, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese utilize Kamikaze (“divine wind”) airplanes against American warships for the first time. It will prove disastrous – to both sides. This decision to engage suicide bombers against the American…
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The Treaty of Westphalia was Ratified, Ending the Thirty Years’ War Which Profoundly Changed the Balance of Power in Europe. October 24, 1648.
Image: Allegory of the Peace of Westphalia. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 24, 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia was ratified, ending the Thirty Years’ War and profoundly changing the balance of power in Europe. The Thirty Years’ War was a religious dispute in the 17th century fought principally in central Europe. More…
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The disaster at the No. 2 mine in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada, occurred. Over 170 miners were trapped underground, 74 of which were killed. October 23, 1958
Image: Injured miner being taken to hospital by helicopter, Springhill Mine Disaster, 1958. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 23, 1958, a “bump” wracked the No. 2 mine in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Springhill Mine Bump was an underground earthquake that trapped 174 miners in No.2 colliery at Springhill, the deepest coal…
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Abolitionist John Brown Guides a Small Group on an Assault Against a Federal Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), in an Endeavor to Begin an Armed Insurrection of Enslaved Black People and Overthrow the Practice of Slavery. October 16, 1859.
Title: The Harper’s Ferry insurrection–The U.S. Marines storming the engine house–Insurgents firing through holes in the doors / from a sketch made on the spot by our special artist. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown guides a small group on an assault against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry,…
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Apache Warrior and Chieftain Victorio, One of the Most Notable Native Military Tacticians of all Time, Dies at the Battle of Tres Castillos in the Tres Castillos Mountains South of El Paso, Texas. October 15, 1880.
Image: Victorio (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 15, 1880, Apache warrior and chieftain Victorio, one of the most notable native military tacticians of all time, dies at the Battle of Tres Castillos in the Tres Castillos Mountains south of El Paso, Texas. The battle also resulted in the death or capture of…
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The South African Boer War Began Involving Britain and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. October 11, 1899.
Image: Clockwise from left: Frederick Roberts entering in Kimberley; Boer militia at the Battle of Spion Kop; Boer women and children in a British concentration camp. (Public Domain) On this day in history, October 11, 1899, the Second South African Boer War began involving Britain and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State.…
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Leif Erikkson, a Norse Explorer and Chieftain, Discovered Vinland, Making Him Possibly the First European Known to Explore and Set Foot in North America, Approximately 500 Years Before Christopher Columbus. October 9, 1000.
Image: Leif Eriksson Discovers America by Hans Dahl (1849–1937). On this day in history, October 9, 1000, Leif Erikkson, a Norse explorer and chieftain, discovered Vinland, making him possibly the first European known to explore and set foot in North America, approximately 500 years before Christopher Columbus. The continuing conjecture is that the encampment created by Leif and…
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A Collection of 40 Rare Color Photographs of France in World War I
Serving in the French Army, photographer Fernand Cuville (1887–1927) continued the autochromists’ tradition of recording the world around them in great detail. These color photographs were taken by Cuville in 1917. His photos capture French soldiers in everyday situations, including cleaning their clothes and eating lunch. They also show war’s destruction in scenes of crumbling…
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The Battle of Salamis Was Fought During the Persian Wars (499 to 449 BCE). The Struggle Saw the Out-Numbered Greeks Defeat the Larger Persian Navy in One of the Greatest Naval Battles in History. September 23, 480 BCE
Image: The Battle of Salamis, 19th Century illustration. (Public Domain.) On this day in history, September 23, 480 BCE, the Battle of Salamis was waged during the Persian Wars (499 to 449 BCE). The struggle at Salamis witnessed the out-numbered Greeks defeating a larger Persian navy in one of the greatest naval battles in history.…
History Daily With Francis Chappell Black 