A Brief History On September 22, 1980, Iraq invaded their neighbor, Iran, seeking to take advantage of the disruption caused by the Iranian revolution. The resulting war lasted 8 years and cost each country around a half million people each, with no change in territory and no clear winner. Digging Deeper Today, we ask, “What was the most miscalculated invasion in history?” and we give some examples to choose from, although you can think of your own: US Invasions of Canada, 1775 and 1812 French Invasion of Russia, 1812 French Invasion of Germany/Prussia, 1870 Soviet Invasion of Finland, 1939 German…
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A Brief History On September 21, 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was confirmed by the Senate as the first ever female Justice of the Supreme Court. What other indications do we have that American women are really on an equal basis with men? Digging Deeper We list a few of these facts that can be considered signs of equal rights progress: Women’s Suffrage, 1920; The Equal Pay Act of 1963; a married woman was first allowed to get a credit card in her own name, 1974; the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, 1981; the first American woman astronaut…
A Brief History On September 20, 1911, the RMS Olympic, the first of three enormous British luxury liners of the Olympic-class, collided with the British cruiser HMS Hawke. Digging Deeper Olympic, commissioned in 1911 as the largest ship in the world at that point, was later followed by the slightly larger RMS Titanic. Of course, the Titanic sank in 1912 on its maiden voyage in one of the most famous incidents of a ship sinking, and the third sister ship of the class, the HMHS Britannic, was sunk when she hit a mine in 1916 during World War I. The Olympic…
A Brief History On September 19, 2022, the United Kingdom and all of the Commonwealth will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II by conducting her Royal funeral. Having reigning for a record 70 years, 214 days, she made her mark on British history, but was she the greatest queen in British history? Digging Deeper We ask you for your opinion, and we list a few other possible choices to pick from: Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni tribe of Celtic Britons from an unknown date until 61, fought against Roman occupiers and inspires British people, especially women, to this day. Eleanor…
A Brief History On September 19, 1692, Giles Corey, age 81, became a footnote in the history of America by becoming the first and only man to be “pressed” to death during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Today, we ask our readers and viewers, “What is the Most Horrible Way to be Executed?” Digging Deeper We list a few possible answers, but feel free to name your own: Boiling Alive Brazen Bull Burning at the Stake Crucifixion Drawing and Quartering Drowning Eaten by critters (such as rats, ants, lions, etc.) Pressing Skinned Alive (or Flaying) Stoning Suffocation Question for students…