Browsing: July 12

A Brief History On July 12, 1917, the local sheriff deputized 2,000 men as a posse to do the dirty work for the local mining company, called Phelps Dodge Corporation, and forcibly and illegally “deported” 1,300 people to New Mexico.  The deported people were striking miners and their supporters, most of which were Mexican Americans.  Echoes of this shameful event are evident today when we are on the precipice of another announced mass round up and deportation of undocumented (i.e., “illegal”) Mexicans from the United States, to be conducted legally by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) at the…

A Brief History On July 12, 2018, the world celebrates the safe rescue of a dozen Thai boys and their soccer team coach from what seemed like certain death deep in a flooded cave. Found huddled in the cave in Thailand 4 kilometers (!) deep into the mountain 9 days after entering the cave, the world was astounded to find out the entire team was still alive. The next several days chronicled a most unlikely and heroic rescue attempt with many countries and individuals lending money and expertise to the incredibly difficult rescue attempt. The miraculous rescue was completed on…

A Brief History On July 12, 1543, King Henry VIII of England married Catherine Parr, his sixth and final wife.  Henry had divorced #1, beheaded #2, #3 died, divorced #4, beheaded #5, and Catherine outlived Henry.  Over the years, there have been some marriage happy people known for their many spouses.  Here we list 10 of those frequently wed individuals. Digging Deeper 1. King Henry VIII of England. Obsessed with producing one or more viable male heirs to the throne, Henry kept trying to find a wife that would give him the male children he coveted.  Wife #3 died from complications…

A Brief History On July 12, 1561, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow was consecrated.  It would go on to become one of the most famous religious structures in the world and remains so to this day.  Here we list 10 of the most famous religious structures, not in a scientific order but the order as we think of them.  (Apologies to St. Basil’s, St. Patrick’s, Westminster Abbey, and your local parish.) Digging Deeper 10. Lotus Temple, India. Not the primary temple of the Baha’I faith, but what a beautiful building!  As this faith is the youngest listed here, this building…

A Brief History On July 12, 1862, a congressional resolution was signed into law authorizing the Army to issue the Medal of Honor to enlisted soldiers (only) for “personal valor.”  The Navy already had a similar medal for “personal valor” as of 1861.  Prior to this development, the US military had no medals at all since the Mexican War. Digging Deeper Objections to the issuing of medals, especially from senior Army General Winfield Scott, were based on the fact that Europeans engaged in the practice, therefore it must be bad.  Once the Civil War started it became apparent that some soldiers and…