July 6th is the anniversary of the 1994 Storm King Mountain wildfire that took the lives of 14 firefighters. Weather changes, resulting in 45 mph wind gusts, caused a modest wildfire to erupt into a blazing inferno, which threatened homes in and around the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Firefighters from around the country were called to assist in fighting this
On July 5, 1810, P. T. Barnum, the great American showman, was born. He died on April 7, 1891. He is often credited with the phrase “There is a sucker born every minute.” While the actual attribution of the quote is suspect with many versions of the story abounding, the concept remains valid, especially when one considers the economic state of the entire world. Only in a world of fools could the economy of entire nations, indeed the vast majority of the world, be driven solely off of debt.
As Americans go through the motions of celebrating the remnants of our once preciously cherished liberty whilst in the throes of presidential election campaign, we are reminded that it is high time to pluck a few chickens and warm up the tar pot. Independence Day is also the birthday of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) and of General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) – JWR
On July 3, 1890, the Idaho Territory became the 43rd state in the Union. July 3rd is the birthday of both musician Aaron Tippin and of actor Tom Cruise.
On July 2nd, 1937 aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to make the first round-the-world flight at the equator.
July 1st, 1863 was the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. Today is also the birthday of actress Olivia DeHavilland (star of Gone With The Wind), actor Dan Aykroyd (co-star of The Blues Brothers), and film director William Wyler (often remembered for his film Best Years of Our Lives.) o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 65 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a …
Hooray! Tomorrow (Friday, July 1st, 2016) permitless concealed carry of guns (also called “Vermont Style Carry” or “Constitutional Carry”) becomes legal throughout Idaho. (Previously, it was only legal outside of city limits.) Sadly, this new law is just for residents–not visitors.) But, as as we can plainly see, freedom is on the march! OBTW, there will be a celebratory rally on the lawn opposite the State Capitol building on Friday at 5 p.m., organized by the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance (ISAA.) On this day in 1908, the mysterious Tunguska event occurred in a remote part of Siberia. June 30th is the …
Another day, another Islamic terror attack… This time it was the international terminal of the airport in Istanbul, Turkey. The latest report is that there are 41 dead and 239 injured. Prayers, please for the wounded and for the families of the dead. o o o Today is the birthday of historian John Toland (author of The Rising Sun.) This is also the birthday of rodeo cowboy turned actor Slim Pickens (born: Louis Burton Lindley, Jr.) — he memorably played Major Kong in Dr. Strangelove), and of actor Gary Busey. o o o A reminder: Safecastle’s Mountain House Sale with …
June 28th, 1703 was the birthday of theologian John Wesley. Today is also the birthday of writer, director, and actor Mel Brooks, as well as that of actor John Cusack. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 65 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Tactical Self-Contained 2-Series Solar Power Generator system from Always Empowered. This compact starter power system is packaged in a wheeled O.D. green EMP-shielded Pelican hard case (a $1,700 value), A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate that is good for …
June 27th is the birthday of economist Dr. Ravi Batra. (Born 1943.) This is also the birthday of movie director J.J. Abrams (of Star Trek fame.) On this day in 1957, Hurricane Audrey made landfall, killing more than 400 people. o o o Safecastle’s big Mountain House long term storage foods sale ends on June 30th, so get your order in soon! o o o Today, we present another product review by Pat Cascio, our Senior Field Gear Editor:
June 26th is the birthday of Marine Corps Lt. General Chesty Puller (born 1898, died October 11, 1971). Perhaps America’s finest-ever maverick officer, Puller was part of what I call the Even Greater Generation. – JWR
On June 25th, 1876, Native American forces led by Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull defeated the U.S. Army troops of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer in a bloody battle near southern Montana’s Little Bighorn River. The Battle of Little Bighorn–also called Custer’s Last Stand–marked the most decisive Native American victory and the worst U.S. Army defeat in the long Plains Indian War. While complicated, the generally accepted reason for the battle is that the discovery of gold in South Dakota’s Black Hills in 1875 led to the U.S. government disregarding previous treaty agreements. The gruesome fate of Custer and …
June 24th is the birthday of rifle-toting abolitionist pastor Henry Ward Beecher (born 1813, died March 8, 1887). He and his adherents from his church smuggled so many Sharps rifles to Bleeding Kansas that the Sharps rifles picked up the nickname Beecher’s Bibles. Wikipedia states: Several of his brothers and sisters became well-known educators and activists, most notably Harriet Beecher Stowe, who achieved worldwide fame with her abolitionist novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. o o o Today, we present another entry for Round 65 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include: First …
On July 23, 1942, the Nazis continued their reprehensible and criminal behavior by making the first selections for the gas chamber at Auschwitz on a train of Jews from Paris. o o o Our writing contest now has over $12,000 in prizes. Today, the featured Writing Contest prize is the Three Day Course Certificate from Gunsite Academy. Gunsite was founded in 1976 by Lt. Jeff Cooper and covers 4.5 square miles with modern facilities, large classrooms and a fully stocked Pro Shop with a full-service gunsmith operation. They currently offer more than 45 different classes in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun …
During World War II, the U.S. 10th Army overcame the last major pockets of Japanese resistance on Okinawa Island on June 22nd, 1945, ending one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The same day, Japanese Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima, the commander of Okinawa’s defense, committed suicide with a number of Japanese officers and troops rather than surrender. o o o Don’t forget that from June 25th and 26th (beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday) is Ham radio FIELD DAY. Most clubs will be setting up in a local park to operate in field …
