Category: Note

August 25th is the 84th birthday of novelist Frederick Forsyth (born 1938 – pictured above.) Forsyth was the author of The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil’s Alternative, and many others. This birthday is shared by humorist Bret Harte (born 1836), and the late American humorist Patrick F. McManus (born 1933). McManus was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho, so his books could be classified as American Redoubt humor. — Today we present a guest article by Brandon Smith, that first appeared at his Alt-Market.us site. — We are still …

On August 24th, 410, Rome was overrun by the Visigoths in an event that symbolized the fall of the Western Roman Empire. This is a moment in history that we would do well to remember. An empire that ruled the known world was corrupted from the inside to the point that they could not defend themselves from a much weaker enemy. — We are seeking entries for Round 102 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. If you’ve been working on an article, please finish it, and send it in. Round 102 ends on September 30th, so get busy writing and …

I just heard of the passing of Dr. Peter Vincent Pry.  He did yeoman service, chairing The EMP Commission and EMP Task Force, urging legislators to get the United States hardened against EMP and X-Class solar flares. When he interviewed me, I was impressed by his great acumen and depth of knowledge on EMP topics. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his family. The following is from his U.S. House staff biography: “Dr. Peter Vincent Pry is Chief of Staff of the newly re-established CongressionalElectromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Commission, and Executive Director of the Task Force onNational and Homeland …

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the London Armoury Company, in 1851. It was founded by Robert Adams (1810–1870). He patented the first successful double-action revolver in 1851. His revolvers were used during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the U.S. Civil War, and the Anglo-Zulu War. — Today’s feature article is a review that was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

In 1986, Lake Nyos in Cameroon erupted with an estimated billion cubic yards of carbon dioxide gas. The gas had apparently been accumulating in the crater lake, held down by the weight of the water. When it finally erupted, the gas cloud smothered and killed every living animal, including insects, in its path until it dissipated. Outsiders learned of the disaster when they approached the villages and found animal and human bodies on the ground. The best estimate is that 1,700 people and thousands of cattle died. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 of …

August 20, 1935 was the birthday of former Congressman Ron Paul. He retired from congress in January of 2013. Dr. Paul is to be commended for fighting the good fight for many years. — August 20th, 1866 is also the day that President Andrew Johnson formally declared the Civil War over. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …

Today, August 19th, is the birthday of Philo Taylor Farnsworth (1906-1971). Farnsworth was an American inventor who is best known for his image pickup device that formed the basis for the fully functional and complete all-electronic television system. Among his many other inventions was the Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor, a small nuclear fusion device that remains a viable source of neutrons. At his death, he held over 300 patents, mostly in radio and television. — A news update: A strong geomagnetic storm is heading toward Earth, space forecasters say. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 of …

August 18th is the birthday of Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, soldier, politician and public administrator that is best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. — I just noticed that we’ve now archived 36,344 blog articles, columns, and quotes. Please let your friends know that the entire SurvivalBlog archives are available free of charge. (Subscriptions are entirely voluntary.) The archives can be accessed by category, by date, or via our search box at the top of the right-hand bar. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 of the …

While salmon fishing near the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory on August 17th, 1896, George Carmack reportedly spotted nuggets of gold in a creek bed. His lucky discovery sparked the last great gold rush in the American West — commonly called the Klondike Rush.  His two companions later agreed that Skookum, Jim – Carmack’s brother-in-law, actually made the discovery. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …

On August 16th, 1841, President John Tyler vetoed a second attempt by Congress to re-establish the Bank of the United States. In response, angry supporters of the bank gathered outside the White House and burned an effigy of Tyler. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …

James Fisher sent us an obituary of inventor Ken Young (pictured): “Our dear old friend, mentor, and inventor of the SIEGE Belts and universal SIEGE Stove Cross-Members, Ken Young, passed away last week. He had been fighting cancer for over a year and had received the all-clear earlier this year, only to have it recently return. The second round of chemo proved to be too much for him and he went downhill quickly — alas a few hours before we made it to Sonora to see him one last time. Active and alert to the very end, just two days …

Today is the birthday of British folk-rock singer Maddy Prior. Best known as the lead vocalist of Steeleye Span, her singing career has lasted more than 50 years, with both touring and session work. She was born August 14th, 1947. August 14th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the London Armoury Company, in 1851. It was founded by Robert Adams (1810–1870). He patented the first successful double-action revolver in 1851. His revolvers were used during the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the U.S. Civil War, and the Anglo-Zulu War. — Today’s feature article is review written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

Today is the birthday of screenwriter, director, and producer, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980.) His many films spanned five decades. —- His birthday is shared by sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …

On August 12, 1908, Henry Ford’s company built the first Model T car. On August 12, 1867 US President Andrew Johnson defied Congress, suspending Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 102 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 …