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.

A Brief History On November 27, 2020, Iranian nuclear scientist and purported head of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, was assassinated in Absard, Iran.  Incredibly, the murder was carried out in a manner worthy of a Hollywood movie plot, by use of a satellite controlled autonomous gun that had been pre-staged, allegedly by Israeli operatives. Digging Deeper The Israeli and US governments both stated that neither would allow Iran to develop or control a nuclear weapon.  The US is believed to have been behind a hacking attack of Iranian nuclear lab computers in 2010, as part of…

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A Brief History On November 26, 1942, the classic movie, Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, premiered in New York City.  The film is rated as one of the greatest movies ever made.  Casablanca won the Best Picture Oscar and cemented Humphrey Bogart as one of the greatest actors. Digging Deeper Bogie’s real name is, indeed, Humphrey Bogart, and the American Film Institute calls him “the greatest male star of classic American cinema.”  Some of his great movies include The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Big Sleep, Key Largo, The Caine Mutiny, and he won…

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A Brief History On November 25, 1876, the US Army took revenge for the Little Bighorn massacre of George Custer and his 7th Cavalry, by sacking a peaceful Cheyenne village led by Chief Dull Knife, a translation of his Lakota Sioux name.  A correct translation of his actual Cheyenne name is the more flattering “Morning Star.” Digging Deeper Here are some other Old West names and nicknames (of real people) that are not so complimentary: Big Nose Kate, the girlfriend of gunslinger Doc Holliday. Calamity Jane, an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok. Captain Jack, a Modoc Chief whose name is…

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A Brief History On November 24, 1940, The First Slovak Republic signed up to become part of the Axis Powers during World War II, just one of many nations and states to join Germany, Italy, and Japan in their fight against the democratic world. Digging Deeper Some of these other Axis aligned nations included: Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Thailand. Finland became an ally of Germany when the Germans invaded the USSR, giving new life to Finland’s struggle against Soviet hegemony.  Thailand started out as a neutral country, but after Japan invaded, the reality of the situation on…

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A Brief History On November 23, 1921, Warren Harding signed a law to prohibit doctors from prescribing alcoholic beverages to patients, closing a loophole in the 18th Amendment, which since 1920 had outlawed alcoholic beverages in the US.  Not only did Harding disappoint thousands of doctors and millions of patients, but he was also a blatant hypocrite, keeping a full bar at the White House and serving spirits during his frequent poker games. Digging Deeper Harding also had the nerve to die while in office, leaving the country to Calvin Coolidge.  Harding had won the 1920 presidential election over Ohio…

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