Browsing: Society

A Brief History On July 19, 1942, the era of good hunting by German U-boats known as the “Second Happy Time” ended, as American and British anti-submarine measures became effective, forcing the German subs away from American coasts and into the Central Atlantic. Digging Deeper The Battle of the Atlantic, a war of German submarines against ships carrying vital cargo to Britain, was perhaps the most critical of the campaigns to determine which side would win World War II.  Italian ships and aircraft were also involved, as were German surface vessels and aircraft, though the sub war was paramount. The…

A Brief History On July 13, 1973, retired Air Force officer and member of the Nixon Administration revealed the existence of an automatic audio tape system in the Oval Office, helping to bring down President Richard Nixon.  While not immediately, Alexander Butterfield survived his snitching and went on to business success, eventually serving on the boards of several corporations. Digging Deeper In spite of various “whistle blower” programs designed to protect and even reward “snitches,” many people are hesitant to provide inside information to authorities in fear of retaliation.  Some other “snitches” that survived and prospered include: Tim Allen, television…

A Brief History On July 11, 1977, civil rights icon, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian honor. King’s medal was awarded posthumously as he had been assassinated in 1968. Digging Deeper At least 20 of these honors were awarded posthumously, including John F. Kennedy, Thurgood Marshall, John Wayne, Roberto Clemente, Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth.  At least 26 recipients were given their Medal of Freedom “With Distinction,” a special version, including then Vice President Joe Biden in 2017. Many recipients earned their Medal by providing civic contribution to the US…

A Brief History On July 8, 2003, a genuine Elvis Presley tooth that onetime girlfriend of Presley, Linda Thompson, had been keeping was listed for a staggering $100,000 on eBay.  To be fair, a lock of his hair and a gold record were included for good measure. Digging Deeper What is the weirdest thing sold or offered for sale on eBay?  A human kidney?  William Shatner’s kidney stone? Here are a few of the goofy items that have been offered: The burial crypt directly above that of Marilyn Monroe was offered on eBay for $500,000, and got an offer for…

A Brief History On June 30, 1882, the assassin of President Garfield, Charles J. Guiteau, was executed by hanging in Washington, D.C.  Guiteau had surrendered at the scene of the crime. Today, we look at what happened to the assassins that killed four US Presidents. Digging Deeper John Wilkes Booth, Confederate sympathizer and assassin of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, was hunted down 12 days later and killed by a US Army soldier when Booth refused to surrender. Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist opposed to William Mckinley’s interventionist policies, shot McKinley in 1901.   Czolgosz was swarmed and beaten by bystanders after the…