Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 18, 2024

The Mukden False Flag Incident was orchestrated on September 18, 1931. To create a pretext for the invasion of Manchuria, China, a railway explosion was faked by the Japanese. — The 18th of September is Chilean Independence Day. On this day, in 1810, Chile declared independence from Spain. — We are now back at the ranch, so I’ve deactivated the “store vacation” mode, for Elk Creek Company.  I’m ready to take orders again.  Take a look at the dozens of antique guns and replica black powder guns that I’ve recently added to our inventory.  Thanks,  – JWR — SurvivalBlog Writing …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 17, 2024

Today, September 17th, we celebrate Constitution Day in these United States.  It was on September 17, 1787 that the US Constitution was signed by the delegates at the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention. — September 17, 1156: Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa issued the ‘Privilegium Minus’ decree, which elevated Austria to a duchy. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 16, 2024

On September 16, 1920, the Wall Street Bombing occurred at 12:01 PM when a horse-drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street, New York, killing 38 people and injuring 143 others. The bombing was almost certainly the work of radical anarchist leftists, though none were ever charged. Until the Oklahoma City federal building bombing on April 19, 1995, the Wall Street Bombing of 1920 was the worst act of terrorism on American soil. — On September 16, 1940, Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Training & Service Act. This was the first-ever peacetime draft in the United States. — American …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 15, 2024

The Battle of Sekigahara on September 15, 1600, marked the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan. On September 15, 1928, Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin while studying influenza. — On September 15h, 1950, United Nations troops landed at Inch’ŏn, South Korea, crippling a North Korean invasion during the Korean War. — On this day in 1944, the U.S. 1st Marine Division landed on the island of Peleliu, one of the Palau Islands in the Pacific, as part of a larger operation to provide support for Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was preparing to invade the Philippines. Within one week …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 14, 2024

On September 14, 1847, US Marines under General Scott entered Mexico City. (The “halls of Montezuma”, mentioned in the Marine Corps hymn.) — Today is the birthday of actor Clayton Moore (1914–1999). His name is almost synonymous with The Lone Ranger. — This is also the birthday of James Wilson, a lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1742 – 1798). — And on September 14, 1812, the Great Fire of Moscow began as Napoleon approached the city and retreating Russians burned it. The fire continued to burn for five days — Today’s feature article is a guest post …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 13, 2024

On September 13, 122, construction began on Hadrian‘s Wall, in northern England.  (A Creative Commons photo by Quisnovus.) — Today is the birthday of Richard Jordan Gatling (September 12, 1818 – February 26, 1903). He was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun. — It was 15 years ago today, that Linda L. Rawles (“The Memsahib”) passed away, following her battle with cancer. We still mourn for her. Linda very selflesslessly arranged the marriage of JWR to Avalanche Lily, before she passed away. — Today’s feature article is a guest …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 12, 2024

On September 12, 1857, 423 passengers and crew died when the sidewheel steamship SS Central America, the ‘Ship of Gold’, sank in a hurricane off Cape Romain, South Carolina, carrying tons of gold coins and bars from the California Gold Rush. The wreck site was rediscovered 1988, and much of the gold was later laboriously salvaged by divers and sold on the numismatic market. A bell found at the site is now on display at the U.S. Naval Academy. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 11, 2024

We must never forget the sheer horror of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. (The Creative Commons photo above was taken by David Shankbone.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 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), A Peak …




Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — September 10, 2024

On September 10, 1910 the Great Idaho Fire (a.k.a. “The Big Burn”) began.  It destroyed more than 3 million acres of timber in Idaho and adjoining Montana. — We just heard that the legendary actor James Earl Jones passed away. Most people associate him with his role voicing Darth Vader or perhaps his great role in Field Of Dreams, but I’ll always remember him as Lt. Lothar Zogg, in Dr. Strangelove. That was his first feature film role. Our condolences to his family. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …




Preparedness Notes for Monday — September 9, 2024

On September 9, 1839, English scientist and astronomer John Herschel (Sir John Frederick William Herschel) took the first glass plate photograph. — American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is one of the long-time prize sponsors of our writing contest. They’ve announced a new course on DVD (or online) that should be of great interest to SurvivalBlog readers: Survival Gunsmithing. This course has more than 10 hours of instruction. It will be priced at $397. But for just a limited time, it is being sold at 50% off. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog …




Preparedness Notes for Sunday — September 8, 2024

September 8th, 1966, Star Trek made its television debut on NBC. — On September 8, 1565, the first permanent settlement in what would become the United States of America was formed. (St Augustine, Florida) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 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 …




Preparedness Notes for Saturday — September 7, 2024

On September 7 AD 70, the Roman army under General Titus occupied and plundered Jerusalem. Thus began the Great Diaspora. Just as Jesus predicted, all of the walls of the Jerusalem Temple were destroyed and scattered. Only the foundation stones remain. The best- known foundation stones are at the Western Wall, also known as The Wailing Wall. (Pictured.) On September 7, 1876, the Younger Brothers, a group of American outlaws who were often allied with Jesse James, were captured following an unsuccessful bank robbery. Today is the birthday of novelist Taylor Caldwell (born 1900 – August 30, 1985). And September …




Preparedness Notes for Friday — September 6, 2024

On September 6th, 1915, a prototype tank nicknamed Little Willie rolled off the assembly line in England. Little Willie was far from an overnight success. It weighed 14 tons. The tank often got stuck in trenches. It crawled over most rough terrain at only two miles per hour. Improvements were made to the early prototypes and tanks eventually transformed military battlefields. — September 6th, 1757 was the birthday of Marquis de Lafayette (often known simply as Lafayette), a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. (Sept. 6, 1757 – May 20, 1834) came to America …




Preparedness Notes for Thursday — September 5, 2024

On September 5th, 1781, during the  American War of Independence, the French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse defeated British forces under Admiral Thomas Graves and Samuel Hood at the Battle of the Chesapeake (aka Battle of the Virginia Capes), thus trappping General Lord Charles Cornwallis. — Today is the birthday of the late comedian Bob Newhart. He was born on September 5th, 1929.  He died on July 18, 2024, at age 94. — On September 5, 1698, Russian Tsar Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for …




Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — September 4, 2024

On September 4, 476, Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicated after forces led by Odoacer invaded Rome. This date is traditionally known as the end of the Western Roman Empire. — September 4, 1862 is the fateful day that General Lee invaded the North with 50,000 troops. — Some sad but expected news: Paul Harrell has passed away. Rest in peace.  I hope that his vlog archives are available for many years! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: …