The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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On June 4, 1942, one of the most decisive battles of World War II was fought. One of the largest naval battles of all time saw pilots from the United States battle pilots of the Navy of the Empire of Japan. On December 7, 1941 the Japanese Navy launched a carrier-based attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor. The United States was taken completely by surprise and much of the U.S. Pacific fleet was sunk. While the U.S. battleships were destroyed, by sheer luck there were no U.S. aircraft car...
The Sinking of the German Battleship Bismarck On May 27, 1940, the formidable German battleship Bismarck met its tragic fate in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. The sinking of the Bismarck marked a pivotal moment in the naval warfare of World War II, resulting in the loss of nearly 2,100 men. This event not only showcased the brutal realities of war but also demonstrated the relentless pursuit by the Allied forces to cripple the Nazi war machine. The Mighty Bismarck The Bismarck was a symb...
Second Lieutenant Walter Sidlowski on Omaha Beach, Normandy, after helping to rescue a group of soldiers after their landing craft sank on D-Day. Walter Rosenblum/U.S. Army Signal Corps/Galerie Bilderwelt // Getty Images 50 facts and figures about D-Day Five years into World War II, the Allies were squeezing the Nazis from two sides. In Western Europe, Allied forces had managed to slow Adolf Hitler's ruthless expansion across the continent. Meanwhile, to the East, the Russians had successfully...
Monday is a state holiday in Alabama as the state honors the legacy of the President of the Confederate States of America. State offices, county court houses, and most schools will be closed for the official state. Federal offices, post offices, and most banks will be open. Davis was inaugurated in Montgomery – the first capital of the Confederacy. The first White House of the Confederacy, where President Davis and his family lived is maintained across the street from the historic 1859 C...
That great standard of liberty, the Magna Carta, is 810 years old this month. Historians and political scientists have examined its provisions extensively, carefully allocating each clause to various rights and freedoms we now take for granted. Indeed, it is a fascinating inquiry to consider that so many centuries ago, various rights now considered standard and common were first tested in the body politic. Many refer to the United States as an experiment because our Constitution created a form...
June 1, 1648: The Roundheads' Triumph Over the Cavaliers The Battle of Maidstone, fought on June 1, 1648, is a significant episode in the turbulent era of the Second English Civil War. This decisive confrontation marked a crucial turning point in the struggle between the Parliamentarian forces, known as the Roundheads, and the Royalists, known as the Cavaliers. The battle demonstrated the strategic brilliance and resilience of the Roundheads, solidifying their dominance while signaling a...
June 2, 455 AD, marked one of the most pivotal and devastating events in the history of the Roman Empire-the sacking of Rome by the Vandals. Over a span of two weeks, the invaders plundered the city, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and chaos. This event underscored the waning power of the Western Roman Empire and has become a symbol of the empire's vulnerability during its twilight years. The Background: A Fragmenting Empire By the 5th century AD, the Roman Empire was already a shadow of...
On June 9, 68 A.D. the Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - better known simply as Nero - committed suicide, after quoting Homer's Iliad. Nero was the last emperor with family ties to Julius Caesar and Octavian Caesar. thus ending the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and starting the civil year known as the Year of the Four Emperors. Perhaps not so coincidentally, June 9 was his wedding anniversary. Nero wed Claudia Octavia in 53 A.D. He later had her executed on June 9, 62 A.D. along...
On June 10, 1938, Nationalist Chinese forces intentionally flooded the Yellow River to stop advancing Japanese forces in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The civilian Chinese deaths were devastating. In the midst of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), China faced an existential threat as Japanese forces rapidly advanced into its heartland. With the fall of major cities like Nanjing and Wuhan looming, the Chinese Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek resorted to extreme measures to hal...
The Battle of Jargeau, fought on June 11–12, 1429, marked one of the most decisive victories for the French army during the latter half of the Hundred Years' War. Under the leadership of Joan of Arc, France successfully recaptured the city from English forces, dealing a crushing blow to their occupation in the Loire Valley. The battle's second day proved pivotal, as Joan's fierce determination led to the capture of English commander William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The Siege and F...
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On June 14, 1775, the sword and shield of our Republic were forged when the Second Continental Congress voted to establish what would later become the United States Army. Today, our Nation proudly celebrates 250 years of our Army's strength, service, valor, and discipline. We honor its heroic legacy as the guardian of our sovereignty and our fortress against tyranny - and we pay tribute to the millions of warriors who live by the...
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION On June 14, 1777, a banner of red, white, and blue was woven into history when the Second Continental Congress passed the First Flag Resolution, making our beloved Stars and Stripes the official flag of our emerging Republic. This Flag Day and National Flag Week, we pause to revere the star-spangled emblem of our freedom - and we honor the nearly 250 years of valor, sacrifice, and patriotism it has gloriously inspired. In the...
The Magna Carta, signed on June 15, 1215, stands as one of the most significant documents in the annals of history, a cornerstone of the modern understanding of democracy, justice, and governance. Its creation was a moment of profound consequence, shaping not only medieval England but also the course of constitutional development worldwide. The Historical Context The Magna Carta did not appear out of thin air; it was born from a tumultuous era of political strife and rebellion. King John of...
On June 16, 1897, officials from the United States and the Republic of Hawaii signed a treaty formalizing Hawaii's annexation into U.S. territory. Although the treaty paved the way for Hawaii's integration into American governance, the Republic of Hawaii would not be officially dissolved until July 7, 1898, when the U.S. Congress ratified the annexation through the Newlands Resolution. Background: Hawaii's Political Shift The signing of the treaty followed years of political upheaval in Hawaii....
June 19, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today is Juneteenth. This is a federal and state holiday. Banks, schools, courthouses, government offices, and some businesses will be closed today in acknowledgement of the holiday celebrating the arrival of federal troops in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 2025 during the War Between the States. The federal troops brought the news that President Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves. While Lincoln - who was dead by this time - had issued the Emancipation...
On June 22, 1945, after nearly three months of brutal combat, the Battle of Okinawa-the final and bloodiest land battle of the Pacific Theater in World War II-came to a close. The organized resistance of the Imperial Japanese Army collapsed in the Mabuni area, located on the southern tip of Okinawa's main island, marking a pivotal moment in the war's final chapter. A Prolonged and Devastating Campaign Launched on April 1, 1945, the Allied invasion of Okinawa was part of Operation Iceberg, a...
On May 26, 1940, the Battle of Dunkirk commenced, marking a significant moment in World War II where Allied forces began a desperate and daring evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. This event, known as Operation Dynamo, became a symbol of bravery, resilience, and the extraordinary efforts to save the trapped soldiers. The Prelude to Dunkirk The situation for the Allied forces became increasingly dire in May 1940. The German army, employing Blitzkrieg tactics, had swiftly advanced...
On May 24, 2000, Israel completed a significant and historic military withdrawal from southern Lebanon, ending a 22-year occupation that had profoundly impacted the politics and lives of people in the region. This momentous event was the culmination of years of conflict, strategic maneuvers, and diplomatic efforts. The Background of the Occupation In 1978, following a series of attacks by Palestinian militants, Israel launched Operation Litani, a military campaign to push back against the...
On May 17, 1987, a tragic event unfolded in the Persian Gulf. An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet launched two Exocet missiles at the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark. This unexpected attack resulted in the loss of 37 sailors and injuries to 21 more. Background During the late 1980s, the Persian Gulf was a region of intense conflict, primarily due to the Iran-Iraq War. Both nations targeted oil tankers and military vessels to disrupt each other's economic and military capabilities. The U.S....
On May 25, 1977. the first Star Wars film was released. The movie starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guiness, and Harrison Ford was a commercial success and spawned what became a cultural movement. Prior to the release of Star Wars, which has since been retitled 'Star Wars : Episode IV: A New Hope' science fiction was a niche market for Hollywood. There were more crime movies and westerns than sci-fi movies. That all changed with the box office of Star Wars. The movie is ostensibly about...
There is only one place on the continental United States where enemy action killed American citizens. 80 years ago in Bly, Oregon, 5 people died when a Japanese bomb exploded. The bomb had been sent over by a balloon to cause indiscriminate damage and loss of life. America's mainland has generally been spared the destruction of war that has ravaged so many countries in the last century. Until September 11, offensive attacks on the United States mainland were limited to sabotage efforts executed...
On May 22. 334 BC, the Macedonian army led by Alexander the Great achieved a decisive victory over Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. This battle marked the beginning of Alexander's ambitious campaign to conquer the Persian Empire and establish his dominance as one of history's greatest military commanders. Background and Prelude to the Battle The Granicus River, located in northwestern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), was the site of the first major clash between Alexander's...
On May 28, 1503 a Papal Bull was issued authorizing the marriage of King James IV of Scotland with Princess Margaret Tudor - the daughter of the King of England Henry VII. In the annals of history, certain alliances forged through marriage have had profound impacts on the political landscapes of nations. One such significant union was the marriage between James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor, a union that not only symbolized the merging of two royal houses but also heralded a period of peace...
The Fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453, marks a significant turning point in world history. The city, once a bastion of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Ottoman armies led by Sultan Mehmed II Fatih after a prolonged 53-day siege. This event not only marked the end of the Byzantine Empire but also signaled the rise of the Ottomans as a dominant power in the region. The historical and cultural implications of this event have reverberated through the centuries, shaping the course of European...
Last October, I had the privilege of conducting a wedding in our little country church. The groom is a retired U.S. Army corporal. The bride is a direct descendant of Patrick Henry. Born 29 May 1736, Henry is the subject of my column for May. Most Americans, when they think of Patrick Henry, are reminded of his timeless words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” They think of Henry as a great orator but not much else. But an orator’s power to move people wells from the depth of conviction in hi...
