Preparedness Notes for Saturday — October 7, 2023

On this day in 1949, a constitution went into effect in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany that formed the country of East Germany, which existed alongside West Germany until 1990, when the two Germanys reunited. On Octrober 7, 1765, the Stamp Act Congress convened in New York City to frame resolutions of “rights and grievances” of the American colonies. The Battle of Lepanto was a naval engagement taking place on 7 October, 1571 in which a fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of European Catholic maritime states arranged by Pope Pius V and led by Spanish admiral Don …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — October 6, 2023

October 6th, 1960: The American adventure film Spartacus, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas, had its world premiere; it won several Academy Awards, including best supporting actor for Peter Ustinov. 50 years ago today in 1973, on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, which suffered heavy casualties, but Israeli forces successfully fought back, and the war eventually ended inconclusively. Today is also the birthday of science fiction author David Brin (born, 1950.) He wrote The Postman, which was very loosely the foundation of a same-titled movie starring Kevin Costner. And October 6 …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — October 5, 2023

October 5, 1703 was the birthday of Jonathan Edwards. He died March 22, 1758 and was a prolific Calvinist theological writer. Many of his writings were later collected in the multi-volume book The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards, edited by John Gerstner. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 109 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 $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — October 4, 2023

October 4, 1895 was the birthday of American film comedian and director Buster Keaton, who was known for his deadpan expression, amazing stunts, and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. — October 4th is also the anniversary of the Tongo Tongo, Niger Ambush, in 2017. American KIAs: Staff Sgt. Bryan C Black, Sgt. First Class Jeremiah W Johnson, Sgt. La David T. Johnson, and Staff Sgt. Dustin M Wright. — October 4, 1923 was the birthday of the late Charlton Heston, who was born John Charles Carter. He died April 5, 2008. He is often remembered for movies like …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — October 3, 2023

October 3rd, 2023 is the 30th anniversary of the Mogadishu, Somalia raid. The 18 Americans killed were: MSG Gary Gordon, 1st SFOD-D SFC Randy Shughart, 1st SFOD-D SSG Daniel Busch, 1st SFOD-D SFC Earl Fillmore, 1st SFOD-D MSG Timothy Martin, 1st SFOD-D CPL Jamie Smith, 3/75 Ranger SPC James Cavaco, 3/75 Ranger SGT Casey Joyce, 3/75 Ranger PFC Richard Kowaleski, 3/75 Ranger SGT Dominic Pilla, 3/75 Ranger SGT Lorenzo Ruis, 3/75 Ranger SSG William Cleveland, Jr. 160th SOAR SSG Thomas Field, 160th SOAR CW4 Raymond Frank, 160th SOAR CW3 Clifton Wolcott, 160th SOAR CW2 Donovan Briley, 160th SOAR SGT Cornell …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — October 2, 2023

On October 2, 1957, the British-American war classic The Bridge on the River Kwai had its world premiere, and it later won the Academy Award for Best Picture. — On October 2, 2002, the Beltway sniper attacks began. This was a series of coordinated sniper attacks that occurred in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The attacks lasted three weeks and resulted in the killing of 10 people. — Today’s feature article is a review penned by Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 1, 2023

On October 1, 1936, Francisco Franco became head of the new Nationalist regime of Spain at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. His dictatorial reign lasted until his death in 1975. — On October 1, 1553, with her coronation, Mary I became the first queen to rule England in her own right; she was later nicknamed “Bloody Mary” because of her persecution of Protestants in a vain attempt to restore Roman Catholicism in the country. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present the first entry for Round 109 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 30, 2023

On September 30, 1949, the Berlin airlift officially ended after the Western Allied powers delivered 2,323,738 tons of food, fuel, machinery, and other supplies to West Berlin, which had been cut off from the West during the Soviet blockade of Berlin. — On this day in 1938, the Treaty of Munich was signed by Hitler, Mussolini, Daladier, and Chamberlain. This treaty forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany. — I just learned of the death of Democrat California Senator Dianne Feinstein, at age 90. Please pray that a more conservative and pro-gun senator takes her seat. — Today’s short feature …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 29, 2023

The Twilight Zone Episode 3, Season 3 titled “The Shelter” originally aired on September 29, 1961 on CBS. It is one of the few Twilight Zone episodes to feature no supernatural or sci-fi elements. — September 29th, 1881, was the birthday of Ludwig von Mises. (Born 1881, died October 10, 1973.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 28, 2023

On September 28, 1781, the Siege of Yorktown began, eventually leading on October 19 to the British surrender by General Lord Cornwallis and the end of the American Revolution. — On September 28, 1542, explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed near what is now San Diego and became the first European to set foot on the west coast of what would become the United States. — On September 28, 1066, William The Conqueror invaded England, landing at Pevensey Bay, Sussex. — And on September 28, 2008, SpaceX successfully launched Falcon 1, becoming the first privately owned company to send a liquid-fueled …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 27, 2023

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, having fled Philadelphia, held a session in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, making the city the capital of the American colonies for just one day. — Today (not counting the change in dates due to the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar) is also the birthday of Samuel Adams. He was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 26, 2023

On September 26, 1962, the television series The Beverly Hillbillies debuted on CBS, becoming one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s. — On September 26, 1820, American frontiersman and hero Daniel Boone died in St. Charles, Missouri. — And, on September 26, 1580, after nearly three years at sea, English Admiral Francis Drake arrived in Plymouth Harbour, England, completing his circumnavigation of the world. SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 25, 2023

On September 25th, 1777, Philadelphia, then the American capital, was occupied by British forces during the American Revolution. — On September 25th, 1789, the first Congress of the United States approved 12 amendments to the U.S. Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification. — Today’s feature article is a review written by SurvivalBlog staff Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson.




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 24, 2023

September 24, 2015: According to Saudi officials, 769 people died in a stampede during the hajj to Mecca; however, other estimates claim that more than 2,400 were killed, making it one of the deadliest accidents in the pilgrimage’s history. On September 24, 1869, plummeting gold prices led to a panic known as Black Friday, when U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, after learning of an attempt by Jay Gould and James Fisk to drive up the gold market, ordered $4 million of government gold to be sold on the market. In 1493, Columbus set sail with 17 ships on his second …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 23, 2023

On this day in 1846, astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle became the first person ever to observe the planet Neptune, the existence of which had been mathematically predicted by Urbain-Jean-Joseph Le Verrier and John Couch Adams. — The American film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid had its world premiere, and it became a western classic, especially noted for the pairing of Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the titular outlaws. — On September 23, 1779, During the American Revolution, in the midst of a naval engagement between the warships Bonhomme Richard and Serapis off the east coast of England, American …