“In view of the Constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here. Our Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful.” – John Marshall Harlan, 1896
On January 22, 1506 the first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican. They still quite competently guard it, in the 21st Century. — On January 22, 1944, Allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy. — Today is the birthday of the late Linda Rawles (“The Memsahib.”) — We are in great need of entries for Round 116 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $935,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t …
January 20, 2025 was a pivotal day in American political history. President Donald J. Trump (DJT) was ushered into office on a very cold day that necessitated an indoor ceremony inside the Capitol rotunda, beneath the Apotheosis painting. He vowed to “dismantle government bureaucracy.” On that day, many of the Deep State inhabitants of the District of Criminals gave DJT a cold reception. A few Democrat Governors have even promised to actively resist DJT’s planned reforms. So has the leftist ACLU. Just as he promised, DJT signed more than 100 executive orders (EOs) in the first 28 hours of his …
Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Reader C.B. recommended this well-reasoned article by prolific gun and preparedness writer Duncan Long (pictured, in a self-portrait from his younger days): Backpack Fever. JWR’s Comments: This article was written in 1989, but it is still quite relevant. I still hear the same fantasy “survival” plans espoused in e-mails from some of …
“Men of all kinds resort to merciless terror when their backs are against the wall. Do not fool yourself into thinking that you are more righteous than they.” – Colonel Henry Bouquet, a Swiss mercenary who was an American hero of the French and Indian War.
In honor of the birthday of John Moses Browning (January 23rd, 1855), we have begun a 10-day sale at Elk Creek Company. This January sale is always our biggest sale of the year. All of our gun and knife inventory has been deeply reduced until January 31st, 2025. Don’t miss out on these Birthday Week sale prices! — On January 21, 1793, Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris, following his conviction for “high treason” by the newly created French Parliament (Convention nationale), during the French Revolution. — January 21, 1525: The Swiss Anabaptist Movement began when …
This brief essay serves as a reminder, for the new year. As we enter 2025, both geopolitics and global economics are displaying some profound changes. The Ukraine war, the fall of Assad’s government in Syria, and the ongoing civil wars in Burma (aka Myanmar), Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia all have the potential to spill over into wider conflicts. Ditto for potential invasions in Taiwan and South Korea. Meanwhile, the rise of the BRICS trade bloc, the out-of-control U.S. National Debt, global debt as a whole, and the run-up of precious metals prices are all evidence of deep-seated economic …
This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a description of the most remote places in CONUS. Region-Wide Video: The Most Remote Places Left in America (Lower 48). JWR’s Comment: It should come as no surprise to SurvivalBlog readers that six of the regions profiled in this video are geographically in The American …
“As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.” – Martin Van Buren
On January 20, 1954, a low of -70°F was measured at Rogers Pass, Montana. This still stands as the record low temperature in the contiguous United States. — January 20, 1981: 52 American hostages were released by the Iranian government, following 444 days of captivity, to be reunited with their families. Not coincidentally, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President, the same day. I have a feeling that Hamas may soon be releasing its Israeli hostages, for a quite similar reason. – JWR — The new 2005-2024 SurvivalBlog waterproof archive sticks are selling out rapidly. There are now less than …
Originally designed for use in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, the Anevay Frontier Stove provides a simple, rugged, and reliable wood-fueled cooking and heating solution that is safer and more energy efficient than an open fire (Anevay indicates that the Frontier Stove is 8 to 10 times more efficient than an open fire). The stove is easy to assemble, easy to ignite, and easy to operate. Suitable for use in tents, huts, yurts, and the open air, the stove can be quickly and easily disassembled into a compact package suitable for transport by vehicle or pack animal. The stove …
The following recipe for Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup is from SurvivalBlog reader E.J.. Ingredients 2 Tbsp canola oil 1 onion, chopped 1⁄2 tsp salt, divided 1⁄4 tsp black pepper (more or less, to taste) 1 cup baby carrots 1 lb bone-in, skinless chicken thighs 1 1⁄2 lb skinless chicken breasts (and be ‘bone-in” type) 1 bay laurel leaf 5 cups of chicken broth (fresh, frozen, or canned) 2 Tbsp chopped dill 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed 1 1⁄2 cup vermicelli, broken into 2-to-3-inch long pieces, cooked separately and drained. Directions In a large skillet, heat oil for 30 …
Today’s graphic: A Map Showing the U.S. Homeless Population Change From 2023 to 2024. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit, based on HUD data.) The thumbnail below is click-expandable. — Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.
“There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu, in The Spirit of the Laws
On January 19, 1883, the first electric lighting system employing overhead wires built by Thomas Edison, began service at Roselle, New Jersey. — January 19, 1915: Four people in Norfolk were killed in the first German Zeppelin air raid attack on the United Kingdom. — Today is the birthday of Carla Emery. (Born 1939, died October 11, 2005.) She is well known in self-sufficiency circles as the author of The Encyclopedia of Country Living. This book was recently re-released in a 40th Anniversary edition. Emery’s book is featured prominently in JWR’s Bookshelf Page. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present …
