Browsing: Lists

A Brief History On September 27, 1944, the American bombing command in Europe, the US Army Air Forces’ 8th Air Force, conducted its Kassel Mission, a horrendous raid that resulted in the worst losses for any US bomb group in World War II, a tale we told back in 2013.  The 445th Bombardment Group, consisting of 39 Consolidated B-24 Liberator bombers had become separated from the main bombing force, and to make matters worse, also lost their fighter escort.  Although the big bombers suffered terribly, they managed to shoot down about 29 German fighters, a remarkable defensive performance by the…

A Brief History On September 26, 2019, we celebrate yet another National Pancake Day, a major holiday (to us!) that we previously discussed back in 2013.  So why readdress National Pancake Day, you may ask?  Because pancakes rule!!!  Whether you call them pancakes, hotcakes, flapjacks, or for the snobbish elites, “crepes,” (a particular variety of pancake presumably for special occasions, and yes, we enjoy them too…), pancakes are wonderful breakfast or anytime comfort food.  Today, we discuss where lovers of the fluffy flat flour power treats should go to enjoy their regal repast. Digging Deeper 1. At Home. Pancakes can…

A Brief History On August 27, 1859, oil was discovered in Pennsylvania, an event we used to list “10 Momentous Discoveries.”  In honor of that previous list, we take this opportunity today to list 10 things that people have not yet discovered (or rediscovered as the case may be), but things that would rate as “momentous” discoveries when and if we find them.  No significance is attached to the order listed, nor do we imply these are the most important things left to discover, just ones of particular interest or notoriety. Digging Deeper 1. Atlantis Even Donovan sang a popular…

A Brief History On August 15, 1281, the army and navy forces of the Mongol/Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan were destroyed at the Battle of Kōan, an attempt to invade and conquer Japan.  Aided by a fortuitous weather situation called by the Japanese a “Divine Wind” (or “Kamikaze” in Japanese), the Mongol forces were defeated, and Kublai Khan never did get to conquer Japan.  In fact, the great Khan had previously made an attempt at conquering Japan to add to his vast empire, back in 1271, and that attempt was also failed by a “Divine Wind!”  Genghis Khan and his grandson,…

A Brief History On August 12, 30 BC, Cleopatra VII Philopator is alleged to have committed suicide by allowing an Asp (a venomous snake of the cobra family) to bite her.  (Yes, she was THE Cleopatra.)  We used this occasion to publish our article, “10 Famous Suicides,” and today we list another list of those that took their own lives, “5 More Famous Suicides.” We have also addressed the suicide phenomena in our articles “10 More Famous Suicides,” “10 World Leaders that Committed Suicide,” and “The Origins of Dr. Death (Assisted Suicide).” Please note that we do not glorify or…