Browsing: December 8

A Brief History On December 8, 2018, we take a look at some of the really nifty air powered weapons available for adults and kids, usually called “BB Guns” in a generic sort of way, but in these modern times so much more than that name implies.  For one thing, air (or other gas) powered rifles and pistols do not always shoot little round metal BB’s (.177 of an inch in caliber) at moderate velocities like the BB guns of the past.  Some of these air guns are high powered weapons capable of launching large caliber (.22 to .50 caliber…

A Brief History Computer-animated superhero film fans, here is your chance to be among the first in Cleveland, Ohio to see Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Atlas Cinemas Eastgate 10 in Mayfield Heights, Ohio!  For your chance to get a pass, please log on to https://sonyscreenings.com/index.php/redeem/ and enter the following code: HHSpider36483.  This pass is valid for up to four seats.  Seating is first-come, first-served and is not guaranteed.  You must be with your guest to enter.  Saving seats for other parties is prohibited. Digging Deeper   In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Brooklyn teen Miles Morales must juggle his high…

A Brief History On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX issued his Apostolic constitution, Ineffabilis Deus, in which he established Catholic doctrine that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, had been conceived without the ‘original sin’ that every other human is born with.  This bit of dogma is not to be confused with the Doctrine of Incarnation, which is the Virgin Birth of Jesus.  December 8th is thus celebrated each year as The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic “holy day of obligation,” and even a national holiday in some predominantly Catholic countries. Digging Deeper Mary, daughter of St.…

A Brief History On December 8, 395, Later Yan was defeated by Earlier Yan. No, we are indeed kidding this time! Actually, Later Yan, a Murong-Xianbei state (during the period of 16 Kingdoms in China), was defeated by one of its previously vassal states, Northern Wei, at the Battle of Canhe Slope. We just wanted to have fun at the expense of the odd sounding Chinese kingdom. Digging Deeper Also on December 8, this time in a guy named Du Fu (sounds like a joke in an Austin Powers movie) returned to Chang’an to serve in the court of Emperor…

A Brief History On December 8, 2012, Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was driving drunk at high speed with fellow Cowboy, linebacker Jerry Brown, as a passenger.  Brent lost control of his car when it hit a curb, flipping the car and catching on fire.  Brent recovered from his injuries, but Brown died that same night. Digging Deeper Not only were the 2 men teammates on the Cowboys, but they had also both attended Illinois and were teammates there as well.  Although emotional and devastated by the news, the Cowboys actually won their game against the Bengals the next…