A Brief History On December 3, 1775, the Alfred, a merchant ship purchased by the Continental Congress was commissioned under Captain Dudley Saltonstall and became the first to fly what would become the American Flag. The US Navy marks October 13, 1775, as its birthday, the day when the Continental Congress passed the resolution that created the Continental Navy, the precursor to the United States Navy. Digging Deeper The Alfred was not the first ship purchased specifically for the Continental Navy, as that honor goes to the Cabot and the Andrew Doria (not to be confused with the doomed 20th…
Author: Major Dan
Major Dan
Major Daniel Zar is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Prior to his military service, he graduated from Cleveland State University, having majored in sociology. Following his military service, he worked as a police officer eventually earning the rank of captain prior to his retirement.
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A Brief History On December 2, 2019, if you have not already waited in line for an hour or more, or more likely was smart and ordered yours online long ago, you may not be enjoying your wine, beer, cheese, candy, or even Hot Wheel Car from your commercially purchased Advent Calendar! What is the deal with these “Advent Calendars” you keep seeing in ads and hearing about from your friends? (Note: There are no commercial links in this article.) Digging Deeper In the Christian religions, the term “Advent” means a coming, usually regarding the coming birth of Jesus Christ…
A Brief History On December 1, 1768, the Danish ship Fredensborg sank in a storm off the coast of Norway on her return trip from a death filled delivery of slaves to St. Croix in the Caribbean. Previously we reported on “10 Infamous Ships” and today we list “10 More Infamous Ships” that either served an evil purpose or were particularly unlucky, and are remembered today with less than fond memories. As always, we invite our readers to add those nominees they think belong on such a list. (Note: the RMS Titanic and SS Edmund Fitzgerald are TOO obvious!) Digging…
A Brief History On November 30 1016, Edmund Ironside, also known as Edmund II or even Ēadmund Isernside (in Old English), was murdered on his “throne,” stabbed to death as he attended to “business.” Digging Deeper Why the quotation marks around “throne” and “business?” Because the poor guy was trying to go to the bathroom at the time of his assassination! What a “crappy” way to die! In fact, Edmund had only been king since April 23, 1016, so he barely got to enjoy the benefits of his time as king. Other chroniclers have claimed the doomed king was done…
A Brief History On November 29, 1729, the Native American Natchez people who had been living peacefully with their French colonist neighbors in the area of what is now Natchez, Mississippi rose up and attacked the French, killing 138 men, 56 children, and 35 women at the French Fort Rosalie. Digging Deeper New France had extended in North America well beyond Canada and Northern part of what is now the United States, with a large Southern and Western territory claimed by France, much of which later became the property of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. French…