A Brief History On June 1, 1918, the Battle of Belleau Wood began in France near the River Marne. The United States Army 2nd and 3rd Divisions reinforced by a brigade of US Marines consisting of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments (with smaller units of French and English soldiers) faced off against 5 German divisions determined to continue their advance into Belleau Wood. This action produced real evidence that United States soldiers and Marines had the guts to fight on the biggest stage in the world. Digging Deeper The Germans were determined to advance as far as possible into…
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 May 31, 1866, Irish nationalists known as Fenian Brotherhood invaded Canada in an attempt to force Britain into granting Ireland independence. This invasion was not the first raid into Canada by the Fenians, an American based Irish Republican group, nor would it be the last, with raids starting in April of 1866 and continuing until 1871. Digging Deeper As many as 10,000 Irish Americans were involved in the Fenian movement, a movement motivated by the British crushing of the Irish Independence movement in 1865. Those Fenians involved with the raids were mostly battle hardened veterans of…
A Brief History On May 30, 2017, we had the opportunity to preview the DC Comics major motion picture, Wonder Woman, at Cleveland, Ohio’s historic Capitol Theatre (built in 1921!). Without building any suspense, we will tell you right off the bat that the audience stood up and clapped at the end! Digging Deeper Yes, we enjoyed the movie, too. Lots of action, lots of beautiful Gal Gadot in the title role, and for the ladies an “above average” Chris Pine as the male lead. (You have to watch the film to get that reference.) Some critics, such as Molly…
A Brief History On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was put to death by being burned alive at the stake for the alleged crime of heresy. Probably the most famous person to be burned to death, Saint Joan joins four other famous people on this list that died in this horrible fashion. Digging Deeper 1. Joan of Arc. Only 19 when she was executed, Joan had fought for the French against the English during the Hundred Years War, gaining fame and a mythical legendary status. For her efforts, she was later canonized by the Catholic Church as…
A Brief History On May 29, 1733, the colonial government of New France located in Quebec City reaffirmed the right of Canadians (meaning European Canadians, citizens of New France) to own and keep slaves. Digging Deeper Slavery in Canada is a subject often ignored, especially when the topic of escaped slaves from the United States fleeing to Canada is discussed. (No mention of Canadian slavery ever came up when I went to school.) In fact, New France allowed the practice of slavery for 2 centuries, from 1632 to 1834. This area includes New France in what is now the independent…