Category: Note

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Granby, Colorado armored bulldozer incident on June 4, 2004, where Marvin Heemeyer knocked down several buildings in town. A documentary titled Tread details what happened that day, and the events leading to the rampage. Though often called the “Killdozer” incident, the only one who died that day was Marvin Heemeyer, from a self-inflicted gunshot, after his heavily-modified Komatsu bulldozer became immobilized. Today is the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, in 1989. On June 4th, in 1944 United States Navy Task Group 22.3 captured U-505, a German submarine and with it an intact …

On June 3rd, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain. And one year later, June 3, 1540, he crossed the Appalachian Mountains. He was the first European to do so. — On June 3, 1781, Jack Jouett rode to warn Thomas Jefferson of British attack. — June 3rd can also be considered the “birthday” of the U.S. Army. (It was established by Congress on June 3rd, 1784.) — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.

June 2, 1857, James Gibbs of Virginia patented the chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine. — On June 2, 1774, Parliament renewed the Quartering Act, allowing British military to stay in private homes if necessary, completing the Coercive Acts. The Quartering Act, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Government Act, the Administration of Justice Act, and the Boston Port Act, were known as the Coercive Acts. These Acts were Parliament’s way of asserting their control over the colonists after the Boston Tea Party and were one of the main motivations for the 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. — Today’s feature article is …

On June 1, 1831, the British naval officer and explorer James Clark Ross discovered the locale of the North Magnetic Pole. This is the varying location between Canada and Siberia where the Earth’s magnetic field points directly downwards. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 113 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 …

On May 31, 1859, Big Ben rang out over London for the first time. — On Thursday evening, after DJT’s conviction was announced, I got a few queries from readers, asking my opinion… All that I can say is that Trump should be very quick to make a very clear and unambiguous  “Turn The Other Cheek” speech, urging calm, respect for the court system, restraint, and civility. He needs to make it very clear that he doesn’t want to see anyone do anything rash. Otherwise, he might be blamed for inspiring some lunatic to do something horrible. DJT has a …

On My 30th, 1806, future US President Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickinson in a duel after Dickinson accused Jackson’s wife of bigamy. On May 30, 1626, an explosion at the Wanggongchang Gunpowder Factory in Beijing destroys part of the city and kills 20,000 people. May 30, 1783: Benjamin Tower of Philadelphia published the first daily newspaper in the US. — We are seeking entries for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer …

On May 29, 1999, Discovery became the first space shuttle to dock with the International Space Station. — On May 29th, 1660 — his 30th birthday — Charles II returned to London from exile in the Netherlands to claim the English throne after the Puritan Commonwealth came to an end. — The summit of Mount Everest was reached by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. — The Sporter Sale Continues!  All of the sporterized rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a week, to end on Friday, …

Beginning May 28, 1942, 1,800 Czechs were murdered by the Nazis in retaliation for the resistance killing of Obergruppenführer (SS General) Heydrich. — On May 28, 585 BC, a solar eclipse, as predicted by Greek philosopher Thales, while Lydians at war with the Medes leads to a truce. This is one of the cardinal dates from which other dates in early history are calculated. — May 28, 1754, the Battle of Jumonville Glen. Forces led by George Washington killed French Canadian officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. — On May 28, 1900, Paul Kruger, President of the Boer Republic of South …

On May 27, 1905, the Japanese fleet destroyed the Russian East Sea fleet in the Battle of Tsushima, the only decisive clash between modern steel battleships in history. — Today, Memorial Day, is a day of solemn remembrance in the U.S. of the many who have given their all for our freedoms. We always thank those who are serving in our military and their families who have also made sacrifices, but today most of all we want to honor those who gave their lives. — The Sporter Sale Continues!  All of the remaining sporterized rifles in my inventory are on …

May 26. 1907 was the birthday of Marion Robert Morrison who adopted the stage name John Wayne. He is of course remembered for his dozens of westerns including True Grit. He also starred in McQ and The Green Berets.  He passed away on June 11, 1979, not long after shooting his final western film, The Shootist. May 26, 2024 is the 34th wedding anniversary of Don and Patrice Lewis. Patrice is the Editrix of the excellent Rural Revolution blog. May 26, 1949 was the birthday of Randall Hank Williams (Hank Williams, Jr.) When not touring, he lives Somewhere in Montana, …

On May 25, 1720, the ship “Le Grand St Antoine” reached Marseille, bringing Europe’s last major plague outbreak. The Plague of Marseille killed around 100,000. — On May 25th, 1787, The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia with George Washington presiding. The task of replacing the new American government as it had been defined by the Articles of Confederation eventually led to the United States Constitution that is so abused today. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists …

On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge—spanning the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan Island in New York City— officially opened. It was designed by civil engineer John Augustus Roebling. — The Sporter Sale Continues!  All 16 of the remaining sporterized Pre-1899 rifles in my inventory are on sale, at Elk Creek Company. By request from several readers, I’ve extended this sale for a full week, to end on Friday, May 31st.  When I last checked, we still had sporters available chambered in: .22-250, .243 Winchester, .257 Roberts, 6.5×55 Mauser, 7×57 Mauser, .308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO,  7.62x39mm, 7.65mm Argentine Mauser, and …

May 23, 1824 was birthday of Ambrose Burnside. He served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869. During the American Civil War he was a general in the Union Army, where he led successful campaigns in North Carolina and Tennessee, but suffered defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of the Crater. After his period as a governor, he served as a US Senator for Rhode Island from 1875 until his death in 1881, and also had a number of industrial directorships, most prominently on the country’s railroad networks. His distinctive style of facial hair gave …

On May 22, 334 BC, the Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. — The War of the Roses began on May 22, 1455. From History.com’s description: “In the opening battle of England’s War of the Roses, the Yorkists defeat King Henry VI’s Lancastrian forces at St. Albans, 20 miles northwest of London. Many Lancastrian nobles perished, including Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset, and the king was forced to submit to the rule of his cousin, Richard of York. The dynastic struggle between the House of York, whose badge …

On May 21, 1871, French regular troops began their attack on the Commune de Paris — an attempted French revolutionary government that seized power and barricaded streets in Paris from 18 March to 28 May, 1871. By July 28th, 17,000 had died. — On May 21, 32, after flying for 17 hours from Newfoundland, Amelia Earhart landed near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, becoming the first transatlantic solo flight by a woman. — Today is the birthday of English poet Alexander Pope.  (Born May 21, 1688, died May 30, 1744.) In addition to his own poetical works and essays, he translated the …