Category: Note

On this day in 164 BC, during the Maccabean Revolt, the forces of Judas Maccabeus recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the Second Temple. This event is now commemorated as the Jewish festival Hanukkah, also celebrated by many Messianics. — On November 21, 1916, Britannic, the sister ship to the Titanic, sank in the Aegean Sea, killing 30 people. — Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $925,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog …

On November 20, 1953, Scott Crossfield, piloting the Douglas Skyrocket, was the first man to break Mach 2 (1,300 MPH). — In 284, Roman general Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor by the armies of the east and west after the death of Carinus at the Battle of the Margus. — On November 20, 1914, the US State Department began requiring photographs for passports. — November 20, 1942: The 2,451 kilometer-long Alaska Highway (“AlCan”) from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska, first opened to military traffic. — We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Angel Studios. They produce faith-based movies …

On November 19, 1274, the Mongol army landed at Hakata Bay in Japan during their first invasion attempt. They were defeated. Famously, a typhoon (“Kamikaze“) destroyed most of their fleet as they withdrew. — Today is the anniversary of the Kyle Rittenhouse “Not Guilty” verdicts, in 2021. — On this day in 1863, U.S. President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication service for the National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. — Brownell’s (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running an Early Black Friday Sale. This sale will run until November 24th, 2024.  Take a look at their great discount pricing! …

On November 18, 1883, US and Canadian railroads set and synchronized four standard time zones – Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific, replacing more than 100 previous time zones. — On this day in 1978, Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones led hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. This incredibly tragic occurrence introduced the term “…drink the Kool-Aid” into our parlance, since poison-laced punch was the vehicle behind most of the deaths. — A new listing over at SurvivalRealty: Beautiful Underground Berm Home in the …

On November 17, 1603, English explorer, writer, and courtier Walter Raleigh went on trial for treason. — November 17, 1855, David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls, at what is now the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. — Just one day left! We are running a Week-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) as well as our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. Be sure to place your order before midnight on Monday, November 18th. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for …

November 16, 1632: Battle of Lützen. A significant battle of Thirty Years’ War – Swedish and Saxon forces defeated the Holy Roman Empire, with the cost of the death of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus. — November 16, 1841: Life preservers made of cork were patented by Napoleon Guerin, of New York City. — We are running a Week-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) as well as our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. Place your order before Monday, November 18th. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present …

November 15, 1763: Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon begin surveying Mason–Dixon line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. — The Battle of Morgarten was fought on November 15, 1315. The pike-armed Swiss militia defeated the army of the duke Leopold I of Austria. — November 15th was the birthday of David Stirling. (15 November 1915 – 4 November 1990.) He was a Scottish officer in the British Army, mountaineer, and the founder of the Special Air Service (SAS). He saw active service during the Second World War. — On this day, Charles Dickens published the final installment of A Tale of Two …

On November 14th, 1882, “Buckskin” Frank Leslie (pictured) killed Billy “The Kid” Claiborne. — November 14th, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano erupted in Colombia, killing over 20,000 as nearby towns were buried in mud, ice, and lava. Scientists studying the volcano believed an eruption was imminent and had recommended an evacuation of the area which was largely ignored, resulting in the high number of casualties. — And on November 14th, 1994, the first public trains ran through the Channel Tunnel (“Chunnel”) linking England and France under the English Channel. — An upcoming auction for a large wooded property in …

In a November 13, 1789 letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” — Continental Army Brigadier General Richard Montgomery took Montreal, Canada without opposition on this day in 1775. Ironically, shortly after this Montgomery was killed while fighting the British in Quebec, and the British retook the territory. — Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, was born in Scotland on November 13th, 1850. — We are running a Week-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The …

On November 12, 1926, the first recorded aerial bombing on US soil took place in Williamson County, Illinois, during a feud between rival bootleg liquor gangs, the Sheltons and the Birgers. Pictured is bootlegger Charlie Birger, in prison before his execution. — Today is the birthday of USMC Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph “Dan” Daly (born 1873, died April 27, 1937). He was one of only nineteen men (including seven Marines) to twice receive the Medal of Honor. — November 12th, 1950 was the birthday of Corporal John Alan Coey (died 19 July 1975). He was the first American volunteer killed …

November 11th is of course Veteran’s Day. If you value your freedom, then thank a veteran. — This is the birthday of General George S. Patton, Jr. (born 1885, died December 21, 1945.) — We’ve started a Week-Long Veteran’s Day Sale at Elk Creek Company. The prices of all of our in-stock military-issue rifles (and sporters) and our military-issue revolvers have been deeply reduced. Place your order before Monday, November 18th. — Today’s feature article is a review written by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.

On November 10, 1885, German engineer Gottlieb Daimler unveiled the world’s first motorcycle, Der Reitwagen. — November 10th is remembered in the United States as the “birthday” of the U.S. Marine Corps. — And November 10th is the anniversary of the sinking of the Great Lakes ore ship Edmund Fitzgerald, in 1975. — 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 …

The Great Boston Fire of 1872 occurred on November 9th, 1872. Nearly 1,000 buildings were destroyed in the fire. — November 9, 1938 was “Kristallnacht”. Be forewarned, folks: Once a group in any society has been singled out for ridicule and persecution, then they can be systematically attacked, physically. Someday it may be “Constitutionalists” who are targeted. — After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on November 9th, 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the Wall, joined by West Germans on the …

November 8, 1701: William Penn presented the Charter of Privileges, that guaranteed religious freedom for the colony in Pennsylvania. — And on November 8, 1967, silver hit a record $1.951 an ounce in London. — 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 $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any …

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 …