A Brief History On January 29, 1907, Charles Curtis of Kansas was sworn in as a United States Senator, the first US Senator of Native American heritage. Not only the first person of Native American heritage to serve in the Senate, he was the first person of any non-European heritage to so serve. In fact, he is the highest ranking person of Native American ancestry ever to serve in the United States Government, reaching his political pinnacle as Vice President of the United States (1929-1933) under President Herbert Hoover! (Were you aware that we have had a Native American Vice…
Browsing: January
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A Brief History On January 26, 2020, the United States and the entire world was shocked by the news feed that basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, age 41, had died in a helicopter crash in California. Initial reports said a total of 5 people, including Bryant, had died in the crash, while later reports indicated 9 people had actually been aboard, and that there had been no survivors. Among those killed was reported to be the 13 year old daughter of Bryant. (Other victims were unnamed until proper notification of relatives could be made.) Losing a sports legend as important as…
A Brief History On January 27, 1939, one of the great American fighter planes of World War II, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, made its first flight. Appropriately named, the Lightning was the fastest fighter in the world at that time, being the first to exceed 400 mph in level flight. Far from an anomaly, the P-38 was not the only important twin engine fighter plane to grace the skies during combat operation in World War II and the Korean War, Today we look at 10 of the best 2 engine fighter aircraft from the peak of the piston powered era,…
A Brief History On January 23, 2018, not 1, but 2 car bombs were set off in Benghazi, Libya, killing at least 33 people, both military and civilians, and wounding dozens or even scores more. Not the proper use of an automobile! Normally, we love our cars and pick up trucks, SUV’s and the like, and do our best to keep them intact. Sometimes, people love their car so much they are buried in the car instead of a casket! Cars can be used as art, places to spoon with your sweetie, a comfortable seat to watch a drive-in movie…
A Brief History On January 22, 613, in the capital city of Constantinople, Emperor Heraclius of the Byzantine Empire declared his 8 month old son, Constantine, Co-Emperor, or in the vernacular of the day, “Caesar.” Perhaps you recall our related article, “The Beheading of a Byzantine Emperor by Another Byzantine Emperor!?” (October 4, 2013) that details how Heraclius seized power from the reigning Emperor, Phocas, by personally chopping off Phocas’ head! Apparently, Heraclius was not quite done with doing outrageous things, such as making a baby Co-Emperor. Digging Deeper Heraclius had inherited a tough war by seizing power, a war…