Browsing: October 14

A Brief History On October 14, 1938, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk made its first flight, leading to an eventual production run of 13,738 of the rugged fighters.  Although often referred to as “obsolete” at the beginning of World War II, and famously rejected by the British for combat in the Northern European theater, the plane flown by the Flying Tigers with its intimidating shark mouth paint job became one of the main Allied fighters of World War II.  (Previously, on November 6th we featured an article, The Hawker Hurricane: The Most Underrated Fighter Plane of World War II, and on…

A Brief History On October 14, 1586, Mary Queen of Scots went on trial for conspiracy against her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Apparently Mary and her supporters saw Mary as the legitimate heir to the English throne, but of course, Liz saw differently! (No surprise there.) Mary ended up being executed for her machinations against Elizabeth, just as many other traitors have before and since. Here we list 7 of the most notorious traitors to end up executed or otherwise forced to die. (Note: There is no significance to the order as listed.) Digging Deeper 7.  Mary Queen…

A Brief History On October 14, 1939, German submarine U-47 captained by Gunther Prien stealthily crept into the Royal Navy’s main anchorage at Scapa Flow and sank the British battleship HMS Royal Oak, an audacious and remarkable feat of skill and daring.  Military men and women have performed heroically quite often, but not as often with a truly amazing degree of skill and daring.  Here we list 10 of those feats of military success that most captivate us.  What military feats impress you? Digging Deeper 10. Sinking of Royal Oak, 1939. Piloting his sub into the British Navy’s back yard…

A Brief History On October 14, 1066, the Normans under William the Conqueror defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings.  This date is one that you might find on a high school or college history test or perhaps on the television trivia show Jeopardy. Certain battles in history are associated with a particular date or year that many people remember or are reminded of, regardless of the importance of the battle.  Here 9 such dates and battles are listed. (By battles we mean the starting or ending date of the battle or the date of a significant event that…

A Brief History On October 14, 1912, a certain badass former U.S. president was shot while giving a speech…and he continued to speak!? Digging Deeper Without any doubt, T.R., or “Teddy” Roosevelt, was just about one of the most manly of American presidents.  A war hero and big game hunter, T.R. had a forcefulness about him that few other presidents really matched.  Maybe George Washington who campaigned in fierce conditions in the French and Indian and American Revolutionary wars, Andrew Jackson who fought in duels, or Abraham Lincoln who was an accomplished wrestler merit recognition as physically imposing and brave…