Category: Note

November 26, 1778: British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to visit Maui in the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii). — And on November 26. 1922, English archaeologist Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun’s virtually intact tomb in Egypt. — November 26th is the birthday of both gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967) and the late Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …

On November 25, 1120, ‘The White Ship’ capsized near the Normandy coast while crossing the English Channel transporting many nobles, including William Adelin the grandson of William the Conqueror and heir to the English throne. About 300 others died. There was only one survivor. — We are pleased to welcome our newest advertiser: JASE Medical. They provide telemedicine and substantial supplies of prescription drugs. Their custom-packaged JASE Case prescription drug supply kit is ideal for preppers and anyone who lives or spends time in the backcountry. Just a short phone consultation is needed for them to approve your antibiotic and …

On November 24, 1642, Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman, who sailed from Batavia (Jakarta) to investigate the practicality of a sea passage eastward to Chile and to explore New Guinea, skirted the southern shores of what was later named Tasmania. And on November 24, 1871, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was incorporated in the U.S. — 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 …

On November 23, 1869, the ship clipper Cutty Sark was launched In Dumbarton, Scotland. It was one of the last clippers ever built and the only one still surviving. — And on November 23, 1980, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck southern Italy killing more than 3,000 people. The casualty toll was probably so high because the tremor struck during Sunday night mass, as many residents sat in churches that crumbled in the quake. The quake was centered in Eboli, south of Naples. — Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to be part of the …

On November 22, 1898, construction began on the Simplon tunnel through the Alps, linking Italy and Switzerland; it became the world’s longest railroad tunnel. Pictured above it the tunnel’s south entrance. — Today is the birthday of Adelbert Rinaldo Buffington, a well-known designer of military gun parts and accessories. — Today is remembered as the birthday of the late Eugene M. Stoner. (Born 1922, died April 24, 1997.) He was the designer of the AR-7, AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, the Stoner 63, and several other firearms. — Today we present a guest article, from a reader. It was not intended to …

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 …