Category: Note

Today is the birthday of the astronomer Percival Lowell, born in 1855. His flawed “Canals of Mars” theories persisted from 1895 to 1909.

Today is the birthday of science fiction author Harry Harrison, who is best known for his Deathworld trilogy. (He was born in 1920 and died in 2012.) On March 12, 1850 the first U.S. $20 gold piece was issued. The current bullion (melt) value of a $20 gold piece (not even considering any numismatic value) is about $1,185. Lesson learned: Trust gold, not paper.

Today is the birthday of author Douglas Adams (born 1952). He is the author of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Also on this day, the Great Blizzard of ’88 struck the northeastern United States (1888). March 11th is the birthday of the late actor Anton Yelchin (born 1989, died June 19, 2016). He is remembered for his portrayal of Kyle Reese in Terminator: Salvation, and as Ensign Pavel Checkov, the most recent Star Trek movie series. He died in a freak accident wherein his parked Jeep Grand Cherokee unexpectedly rolled forward on an incline, pinning him to a security fence. …

On March 10, 1893 New Mexico State University canceled its first graduation ceremony, because its only graduand, Sam Steele, was robbed and killed the night before. On March 10, 1910, China officially ended slavery. But unofficially, China now has one of the world’s largest slave populations. These are mostly political prisoners, working in prison factories. Sadly, there is no way of reliably knowing whether or not most of the “Made In China” merchandise that you buy might originate from these prisons. o o o Today, we present part four of a four part entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog …

Today is the birthday of writer John McPhee (b. 1931), a master of creative nonfiction. One of McPhee’s most widely read books is Coming into the Country, which eloquently describes the Alaskan wilderness. March 9th is the birthday of Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin– the first man to ever travel in space. He was born in 1934 and died in the crash of a MiG-15-UTI fighter on March 27, 1968. o o o Ki4u.com is selling a Radius P10 Shelter (from an estate sale) for 75% off. If you’re looking for a ready-made shelter that can hold your entire family, this is …

March 8th is the birthday of famed revolver shooter, big game hunter, and gun writer Elmer Keith, who co-designed the S&W .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum cartridges. He authored the book Sixguns, which is still considered a standard reference. His fascinating life story is told in his last book, Hell, I was there! Keith spent the second half of his life on a ranch near Salmon, Idaho. (Keith was born in 1899 and died February 12, 1984.) o o o Today, we present part two of a four part entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The …

Panic in Year Zero: It is important that SurvivalBlog readers take the time to read at least the summary of the Wikileaks “Year Zero” March 7th announcement. (Also known as Vault 7.) The ramifications of this release of state-sanctioned and state-sponsored cyberweapons are huge. The sheer volume of weaponized code that has been unleashed is amazing. The mis-use of these cyberweapons could very rapidly devastate e-commerce, banking, satellite navigation systems, and public utilities, including national power grids. Do not dismiss this as mere speculation. The risk is real, and the risk is huge. This announcement is just one more reason …

March 6th was the birthday of Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr., (1927) in Shawnee Oklahoma. This U.S. Air Force pilot and astronaut, who was aboard Mercury 9 and Gemini 5, had his exploits well documented in Tom Wolfe’s book The Right Stuff, and in the well-done film of the same name. Cooper died at age 77 from heart failure at his home in Ventura, California, on October 4, 2004. Coincidentally, this is also the birthday of Valentina Tereshkova (born 1937), a Soviet cosmonaut and the first woman in space (aboard Vostok 6). She was born in Maslennikovo, USSR.

Today is the birthday of Momofuku Ando (born, 1910) the Taiwanese-Japanese inventor of instant noodles and Cup-O-Noodles, born in Wu Baifu, Taiwan. (He died in 2007.) His inventions have saved counted thousands of American college students from starvation. This is also the birthday of Howard Pyle (1853-1911), an influential American book illustrator, painter, and author. He was the mentor of many great American artists, including Thornton Oakley, Frank E. Schoonover, Allen Tupper True, and of course N.C. Wyeth.

Today is the birthday of James Ellroy (b. 1948), an American noir novelist. He authored L.A. Confidential, which later became a popular film. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A …

Today is remembered by Trekkers as the birthday of James Doohan, born in 1920. He played Montgomery (“Beam Me Up, Scotty”) Scott in the Star Trek television series and films. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He passed way in 2005. This is also the birthday of bluegrass musician Doc Watson. (He was born in 1923 and passed away in 2012.) His guitar work was phenomenal. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate …

On March 2nd, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. Today is coincidentally also the birthday of Sam Houston. Today is also the birthday of Moe Berg, American baseball player and clandestine agent. (He died in 1972). His biography The Catcher Was a Spy is fascinating reading. And this is the birthday of libertarian economist Murray Rothbard (born 1926, died 1995). His book For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto is highly recommended. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: …

Camping Survival is having their Grand Re-Opening today, starting at 10:00 AM. Their new address is 1000 N. Horner Blvd, Sanford, NC 27330. There will be lots of giveaways and survival food tasting, and there might be a few of JWR’s books there as well. o o o Ready Made Resource has what may be the most sought after hand held Ham radio: The Any Tone TERMN-8R does UHF, VHF, HF, AM, HF, NOAH, GRMS, and MURS with crossband repeat and is weather resistant.

February 28th is the birthday of famed Swiss investor and economic pundit Marc Faber (born 1946). o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 69 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $15,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $3000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the …

On February 27th, 1897, an agreement between Great Britain and the United States allowed the U.S. to arbitrate a border dispute between Venezuela and British Guiana, defusing a dangerous U.S.-British diplomatic crisis and formally recognizing the U.S. authority of the Western Hemisphere per President Grover Cleveland’s interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine. In the end, the border was decided in 1899, largely upholding Britain’s claims.