Category: Note

On July 7, 2005, the London transit system was struck by coordinated suicide bomb attacks that killed 39 people and injured more than 700. July 7th, 1907 was the birthday of science fiction novelist Robert A. Heinlein. He passed away on May 8, 1988, at age 80. — I’ve been incredibly busy hauling and stacking hay this week, so I won’t be posting my usual Economics & Investing column today.  Sorry, but I’ve got to make hay while the sun shines! — We are still in need of entries for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than …

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 wildfire. We will never forget the young men and women who lost their lives battling this fire: Prineville, Oregon Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso Missoula, …

On July 5th, 1859, Captain N.C. Brooks discovered the Midway Islands in the central Pacific Ocean and claimed the territory for the United States. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), …

On July 3, 1890, the Idaho Territory became the 43rd state in the Union. July 3rd is also the birthday of both musician Aaron Tippin and actor Tom Cruise. — Today’s feature article is a review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. He has been in ill health, so please keep him in your prayers. — We are in great need of articles to round out Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. It ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that …

On July 2nd, 2002 American adventurer Steve Fossett became the first balloonist to circumnavigate the world alone. And in 2005 he completed the first nonstop solo global flight in an airplane. And 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. — We are still seeking entries for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer …

On July 1st, 1997, the crown colony of Hong Kong officially reverted to Chinese sovereignty, ending 156 years of British rule. There have been sporadic protests by locals there, ever since. July 1st, 1535, Sir Thomas More went on trial for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. And on July 1st, 1863 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. — Several of our affiliate advertisers, including Brownells, Ready Made Resources, GunMag Warehouse, Palmetto State Armory, and Federal Premium are running Independence Day sales, until July …

June 30th is the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of 19 hotshots in the Yarnell Hill Fire, in 2013. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain …

During a performance of William Shakespeare‘s Henry VIII on this day in 1613, the Globe Theatre was destroyed within an hour after its thatch was accidentally set aflame by a cannon marking the king’s entrance onstage. Shown is a model of the theater and surrounding buildings, circa 1612. The original theater building is now thought to have been a 20-sided polygon. — Federal Premium (one of our affiliate advertisers), is beginning an Independence Day Sale, with some great discounts on their ammunition — rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Federal offers free shipping on orders over $149. They even have a custom …

June 28th, 1703 was the birthday of theologian John Wesley. He was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. He died on March 2nd, 1791. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 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 Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their …

Today is the birthday of Paul Mauser, (June 27, 1838 – May 29, 1914). He was a German weapon designer and manufacturer. His strong and reliable bolt-action design was used by many nations. The U.S. Springfield Model 1903 is based on the Mauser Model 1898, and in fact, the U.S. government famously lost a patent infringement lawsuit to Mauser. Ironically, the U.S. government continued to pay the Mauser company royalties on each M1903 Springfield produced, even during and after World War I. Today is also the birthday Leroy James Sullivan (born June 27, 1933) is an American firearms inventor. Going …

On June 26, 1483, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester, began his reign as Richard III after usurping power from his nephew, Edward V. — June 26th is also 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. — My #1 Son mentioned this new listing for some retreat-worthy improved land, north of Coeur d’Alene: Private North Idaho Retreat. — Today’s feature article was written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson. — We are in need of articles …

June 25, 1530, the Augsburg Confession, 28 articles that constitute the basic confession of the Lutheran churches, was presented at the Diet of Augsburg to the emperor Charles V. — And 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, …

June 24th 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.” — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power …

On this day in 1314 began the Battle of Bannockburn, a decisive engagement in Scottish history whereby the Scots defeated the English, regained their independence, and established Robert the Bruce as Robert I. — We have run out of articles to post for the Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. So if you have one that you’ve been writing, then please complete it and send it in. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.