Browsing: October 4

A Brief History On October 4, 1997, the second largest money robbery in U.S. history took place in Charlotte, North Carolina at Loomis, Fargo and Company, with $17.3 million in cash taken.  The ensuing investigation was spearheaded by the FBI and resulted in about 95% of the money being recovered and in 24 convictions.  Unfortunately, unlike the super sleuths on television and in the movies, real-life cops do not always solve crimes.  Here we list 10 Things Police Know That You Might Not.  Heck, maybe you do know some of them, or at least suspect a couple, but in my experience as…

A Brief History On October 4, 2010, the Ajka alumina plant in Hungary lost control of 35 million cubic feet of alumina sludge that ended up killing nine people and polluting the Danube and Marcal Rivers.  Yes, it was inevitable that someone alone the line would die in alumina sludge.  As Murphy’s Law states, if it can happen, it will happen.  But it is unlikely that anyone actually wakes up thinking “today this will happen to me.”  People are inventive and creative, and throughout history they have come up with new products, machines and techniques that also accidentally killed them.…

A Brief History On October 4, 610 A.D., Heraclius arrived by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrew Byzantine Emperor Phocas in one of the most badass coups in history, and became Emperor. Digging Deeper Future emperor Phocas, seen on the coin above, did not have an easy life. When he and others in the Byzantine army attempted to express their grievances to then Emperor Maurice’s government, not only were their requests rejected, but Phocas was himself humiliated by court officials by being slapped. Subsequently, Phocas led a rebellion of Byzantium’s Balkan army that forced Maurice to abdicate, but that was…