Browsing: July

A Brief History On July 4, 1776, The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.  Ever since the Declaration of Independence was agreed upon, a great deal of history has occurred all over the United States of America (USA).  It is inconceivable how places we presently consider as urban, like the Northeast megalopolis that contains Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Boston, and Washington, D.C., was previously a wilderness covered with thick forests.  The European pilgrims had never even gone past those forests. As Americans extended to the West, they deserted noteworthy spots, relics, abominations, and interests…

A Brief History On July 24, 1935, the heat wave aspect of the Great Dust Bowl hit its high point, with temperatures soaring in the Midwest and on the Great Plains, cities such as Chicago reaching 109 °F and Milwaukee hitting 104 °F.  Striking the central United States during the Great Depression (1929 to 1939-1941, depending on interpretation) made the environmental catastrophe of drought and heat all the worse.  The enormous increase in the use of motorized tractors plowing the prairie, replacing tough prairie grasses with roots that held the soil together with loosely plowed earth and food crops, the…

A Brief History On July 23, 1973, American pilot and national hero, Eddie Rickenbacker, died at the age of 82, later buried in his native Columbus, Ohio, the city of his birth.  Rickenbacker was the leading American flying “Ace” in World War I, having shot down 26 enemy aircraft and being awarded the most medals of any American war hero of World War I, including the coveted Medal of Honor.  Prior to his wartime exploits, Rickenbacker had been a premier race car driver and automotive designer.  After various other pursuits, Rickenbacker became the head of Eastern Airlines in 1935, a…

A Brief History On July 20, 1304, the forces of King Edward I of England successfully took Stirling Castle during the First War of Scottish Independence.  Although the Scots would ultimately maintain their independence, key to the English victory was the intimidating-sounding “Warwolf,” allegedly the largest trebuchet ever made.  This mighty siege engine catapulted rocks or other projectiles up to 300 pounds and was capable of battering down the walls of any castle.   We used this event to precipitate our article in 2015, “Weapons with Cool Names!”  We discussed the “importance” of giving your weapons and weapon systems cool names…

A Brief History On July 19, 2019, as our nation celebrates National Daiquiri Day, that wonderful concoction with Rum and fruit juices, usually served over ice or as a “frozen” drink, we reflect on those other liquid refreshments that are also named after a place.  Previously we discussed “10 Favorite Foods and Drinks Named After a Place” and today we do it again, but this time limited to fluid libations.  (On that previous list we mentioned Champagne, Pilsner/Pilsener Beer, Bourbon Whiskey and Scotch Whisky.) Digging Deeper 10. Long Island Iced Tea. How many drinks from New York could you name…