Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 11, 2024

On June 11, 1488, in the Battle of Sauchieburn, in a rebellion against the Scottish crown, King James III was killed. — On June 11, 1742, Benjamin Franklin invents his now famous Franklin stove. — June 11, 1864: The Battle of Trevilian Station, the bloodiest and largest all-cavalry battle of the American Civil War, begins in Louisa County, Virginia. — John Wayne, the iconic American film actor, died on June 11th, 1979. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 10, 2024

Some sad news: Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, who captured ‘Earthrise,’ killed in plane crash. — On June 10, 1898, US Marines landed in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. Roosevelt’s Rough Riders (The 1st  US Volunteer Cavalry) landed later in June.  The famed Battle Of San Juan Hill was not until July 1st. — On June 10, 1967, the Six-Day War ended as Israel and Syria agreed to observe a United Nations-mediated cease-fire. — Today’s feature article is a review by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.  




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 9, 2024

On June 9, 1803, British explorer Matthew Flinders arrived in Sydney becoming the first person to circumnavigate Australia, proving it is one continent. — On June 9, 1923, the Brinks company unveiled their first armored security vans. — On June 9, 1960, Roy Orbison released the single “Only the Lonely”. It became his first major hit – peaking at #2 in the US and topping the UK charts. — Today is the birthday of Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat (1824–1883), is best known for the percussion cap revolver that bears his name. This clever design has a cylinder that rotates around …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 8, 2024

On June 8, 1918, Nova Aquila, the brightest nova since Kepler’s nova of 1604, was discovered. Remnants of the stellar explosion can still be seen. — On June 8th, 1776, Canadian Governor Sir Guy Carleton defeated American Patriot forces under John Sullivan. After taking heavy losses and the loss of General Richard Montgomery at Quebec, the Patriots were pursued by Governor Carleton. Halfway between Quebec and Montreal, at the Trois-Rivieres, the Patriots turned to fight. The Redcoats and German mercenaries killed 25, wounded 140, and captured 236, but Carleton allowed the rest of the 2,500-man force to complete their retreat. …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 7, 2024

On June 7th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed to the Continental Congress a resolution calling for a Declaration of Independence. June 7th, 1967 was the day of Jerusalem’s redemption from foreign governments in the Six Day War, placing it back under Israeli sovereign control after having been occupied for over 2,500 years. This was in accord with the UN General Assembly’s vote in 1948. — Today’s feature article was written by SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (JWR). — We are in need of entries for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 6, 2024

Today is the 80th Anniversary of D-Day Normandy Landings. On June 6, 1932, The Revenue Act of 1932 was enacted, creating the first gasoline tax in the United States, at a rate of 1 cent per US gallon sold. On June 6, 1816, there was a record 10″ of snowfall for a June day was reported in New England. This was part of a “year without a summer” that followed the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia. On June 6th, 1513: The Battle of Novara, the War of the League of Cambrai: the Swiss Confederacy defeat the French. Today is …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 5, 2024

On June 5, 1967, the Six-Day War began between Israel and the neighboring Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. — On June 5, 1851, Harriet Beecher Stowe published the first installment of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in The National Era. She was the sister of firebrand abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher. — On June 5, 70, Titus and his Roman legions breached the middle wall of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem began The Great Diaspora. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 113 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 4, 2024

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 …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — June 3, 2024

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.




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — June 2, 2024

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 …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — June 1, 2024

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 …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 31, 2024

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 …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 30, 2024

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 …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 29, 2024

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, …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 28, 2024

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 …