Author: James Wesley Rawles

On November 7, 1512, the Medici family discharged Niccolo Machiavelli from Florence. November 7, 1805: The Lewis and Clark Expedition first sighted the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River. November 7, 1885: The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed at Craigellachie – connecting British Columbia with Eastern Canada. November 7th is also the anniversary of the death of actor Steve McQueen (born March 24, 1930, died November 7, 1980). The many well-publicized exploits in his tempestuous life and his enduring persona are well known. However, the end of his life is actually the most noteworthy part of his …

On November  6, 1917, during the Bolshevik Revolution, bombardment of the Winter Palace in Petrograd began, during the Russian October Revolution. (“Red October.”) — November 6, 1941 was the birthday of country singer/guitarist Guy Clark, in Monahans, Texas.  (He died in 2016.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day …

On November 5, 1905 Roald Amundsen reached Eagle City, Alaska, and announced by telegraph his was the first expedition, in 400 years of attempts, to complete a Northwest Passage. — On November 5, 1605, King James of England learned about the Gunpowder Plot. Hence, we now have Guy Fawkes Day. “Remember, remember the Fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.” — Natchez Shooters Supplies (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running an an unusual 3-day promo from 11/4 to 11/6 with many discounted items and $5 Flat Rate Shipping …

On November 4, 1929, Richard E. Byrd (pictured), Laurence McKinley Gould, and their polar expedition team began a 2½ month, 1,500-mile dog-sled journey into the Queen Maud Mountains. This was the first exploration of the interior of Antarctica. — November 4th is the birthday of Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone. He was born in 1916 in Buffalo, New York.  The town still has an annual parade, in his honor, and a John Basilone mural was recently painted. — Because the owner of Seed for Security is retiring and shutting down the business at the end of this month, we …

November 3, 1917: The price of 1st Class US mail stamps was increased to 3 cents per ounce. This was dubbed a “Wartime Emergency Rate.”  It had been 2 cents since 1885.  It reverted to 2 cents in 1919, and did not rise to 3 cents again until 1932.  As of October, 2024, the one-ounce rate is now 73 cents. Recently, postal rate increases have been taking place at less than one-year intervals, and the latest increase was a 5-cent jump. — On November 3, 1783, George Washington ordered the Continental Army disbanded. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present …