A Brief History On April 13, 2013, Yan Gomes, born in Brazil of Portuguese descent, hit a home run for the Cleveland Indians, his first hit as an Indian, but not his first homer ever. Digging Deeper Gomes moved to the United States at age 12, and played high school baseball and college baseball at the University of Tennessee, where he was an All-American, and later switched to Barry University after 2 years at UT. Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009, Gomes was promoted to the big league club on May 17, 2012, becoming the first Major League…
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 April 13, 1873, on Easter Sunday, the holiest day on the Christian calendar, between 60 and 150 African-Americans were slaughtered by irate Louisiana White Democrats angry about having lost the Civil War and Reconstruction efforts to place free Black persons in government and militia positions. Digging Deeper With the status quo severely upended after the Civil War, disaffected White people believed that Northern interference was adversely affecting the welfare of the White Democrats. The 1872 gubernatorial election had been hotly contested as had local elections, with Blacks being allowed to vote in large numbers and ex-Confederates…
A Brief History On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut (their version of astronaut) Yuri Gagarin was sent into orbit around the Earth aboard Vostok 1, becoming the first human being to “slip the surly bonds of Earth” and voyage where no man had gone before, Outer Space. Digging Deeper Humans have looked up with wonder at the Sun, the Moon, the stars and planets beyond the clouds and wondered what is really up there? In the past, with no better explanation, stories were made up about celestial gods, the Moon made of Green Cheese, flaming chariots and all sorts of…
A Brief History On April 11, 1986, a tragic shootout between 8 FBI agents and 2 bank robbers in Miami, Florida, resulted in the deaths of 2 agents and both suspects, and the wounding of 5 other agents. The failure of the FBI tactics and firearms resulted in a revolution in police firepower. Digging Deeper The subjects had murdered another man and stolen his car, and then went on a robbery spree. Both suspects were US Army veterans (one had also served in the Marine Corps) and may have been responsible for the murders of their wives. Neither man had…
A Brief History On April 10, 1916, the Professional Golfers’ Association of America was formed in New York City. This watershed date in golf history is marked today as “Golfer’s Day.” Despite severe criticism by citizen Donald J. Trump of President Barack Obama, also known as “The Golfer in Chief,” for having golfed 306 rounds during his 8 years as President, President Trump has already raised eyebrows by going golfing 14 times in the 2 and half months he has been President. Apparently President Trump is not acquainted with Citizen Trump. Digging Deeper Although golfing is a recreational activity enjoyed…