A Brief History On December 31, 2010, the Central and Southern portion of the US was bombarded with 37 tornadoes, leaving nine people dead, more injured, and much damage across mainly Missouri and Mississippi, but also including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Louisiana. Digging Deeper Not only was the US wracked by the tornadoes, but other areas also suffered winds of 80 mph with related damage. The ordeal started on December 30th and lasted three days until January 1, 2011, a miserable way for thousands of Americans to start the New Year. As if wind damage was not enough, Mother Nature…
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A Brief History On December 30, 2024, we take a look back at the ones we lost this year, and instead of trying to amass a giant list of everyone and everything, we aim to keep this list limited to those of particular note, at least to us! Digging Deeper Former President Jimmy Carter, age 100, was a fine person who showed his true morals and values in the years since leaving the White House. Baseballer Rickey Henderson, age 65, Major League Baseball’s all-time base stealer, was probably the greatest lead off batter of all time. Richard Simmons, exercise and…
A Brief History On December 27, 2007, Mombasa, Kenya, was the scene of violent protests over a disputed presidential election. Mombasa, a gateway to East Africa, happens to be just one of the many fascinating places visited by Major Dan, and today we take a look at some of those nifty cities to visit. Digging Deeper Toronto and Montreal, Canada. These two largest cities in Canada present different takes on our neighbor to the Great White North, foreign, yet highly accessible and both with great food, museums, attractions, and wonderful people. Honolulu, Hawaii. Truly a paradise on Earth, even the…
A Brief History On December 26, 1776, George Washington led his Continental Army across the Delaware River to surprise and attack the German Hessians employed by the British, killing about 22 of the German mercenaries and capturing another 800 to 900 for the loss of only two Americans killed. In fact, the dead Americans died from the winter weather and not Hessian bullets! Digging Deeper Mercenaries, soldiers for hire usually from other lands, have been used throughout history, sometimes to great advantage but also many times leading to failure and defeat. While the French Foreign Legion is famous for its…
A Brief History On December 25, 1941, US Navy Admiral, later Fleet Admiral, Chester Nimitz arrived at the devastated Pearl Harbor Naval Base to take command of the US Pacific Fleet. Nimitz had been appointed Commander of the Pacific Fleet a week earlier and would go on to conduct an incredibly successful campaign across the vast reaches of the Pacific, overcoming great odds to defeat Imperial Japan and win the War in the Pacific. Digging Deeper Nimitz was also appointed as Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, leading all Allied war efforts against Japan. US Army General Douglas MacArthur, later…
