Category: Note

On August 18, 1872, Aaron Montgomery Ward issued the first “catalog” for his mail-order business, it was one sheet listing 163 available items. — August 18th is the birthday of Meriwether Lewis, an American explorer, soldier, politician, and public administrator who was best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. — 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 …

On August 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille struck the US coastline and killed 259 people (mainly in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.) — On August 17, 1859, the first air mail (in a balloon) took off from Lafayette, Indiana. — 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 …

On August 16, 1777, American militiamen led by General Stark defeated British forces at the Battle of Bennington, during the American War of Independence. The battle was fought at Walloomsac, New York, ten miles northwest of Bennington, Vermont. — 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. — We are pleased to announce that the kind folks at MobileSecSolutions.com are donating two new prizes that will be part of …

On August 15, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims. — On August 15, 1901, Arch Rock, a hazard to San Francisco Bay shipping, was blasted with 30 tons of dynamite. — I recently took delivery of a batch of 10 antique Swiss Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11 rifles. An importer kindly hand-picked all antique (1898 or earlier) ones for me. (There were just 10 antique ones out of about 200 that they had on hand.) The 1896/11 model can shoot the modern high-pressure 7.5 x 55 ammunition.  Four of these rifles sold immediately, so as of this …

On August 14, 1040 at the Battle of Bothnagowan, King Duncan I of Scotland (pictured) was killed in battle against his first cousin and rival Macbeth. He was not murdered in his sleep as described in Shakespeare’s play. Macbeth did not succeed Duncan, as King. — August 14th, 1945 was Victory In Japan (“V-J”) Day. — American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is one of the long-time prize sponsors of our writing contest. They’ve just 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 …

On August 13, 1642 Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Mars’ southern polar cap. — Today is the birthday of screenwriter, director, and producer, Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980). His many films spanned five decades. —- Today is also the birthday of sharpshooter, entertainer, and folk heroine Annie Oakley (1860–1926.) — 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. …

August 12, 1833, the town of Chicago is incorporated. (Population 350.) On August 12, 1867, President Andrew Johnson defied Congress, suspending Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. And, on August 12, 1908, Henry Ford’s company built the first Model T car. — We are seeking entries for Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 114 ends on September 30th, so …

The Eiger Peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland was first summited on August 11, 1858, by an international trio: Christian Almer and Peter Bohren of Switzerland and Charles Barrington of Ireland. — On August 11, 1857, N. H. Wolfe and Company, the oldest flour and grain company in New York City, failed. This failure shook investor confidence and began a slow selloff in the market which continued into late August. Several other failures followed, and this cascaded into what was later called the Panic of 1857. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of …

On August 10, 1938, a state-record daytime high temperature 119°F (48°C) was recorded in Pendleton, Oregon.  Pictured is the Pendleton Post Office, earlier that same year. — On August 10th, 1984, Red Dawn, the first PG-13 rated movie, starring Patrick Swayze was released. The movie (the 1984 original, not the 2012 remake) is a favorite of both JWR and HJL. The movie embodies the independent, indomitable spirit that created this country. — 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 …

On August 9, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for exile on Saint Helena island onboard the British ship the Northumberland. — August 9th, 1831 was the birthday of James Paris Lee (August 9, 1831 – February 24, 1904). He was a Scottish-Canadian and later American inventor and arms designer, best known for inventing the bolt action that led to the Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield series of rifles. — I just heard that Seed for Security is running a stock-up sale. Their Colossal Pack is now priced at 25% off. This pack is a total of over 5 pounds of vegetable, herb, …

On August 8, 1786, the US Congress unanimously chose the Dollar as the monetary unit for the United States of America. The coin’s specifications were based on the silver composition, diameter, and weight of the Spanish Dollar.  Also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho), the famous Spanish Miilled Dollar (pictured) was a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter, worth eight Spanish reales. — A reminder: I will have five tables at the Missoula, Montana Gun Show on August 9-10-11, 2024. This is your chance to shop from about 80% of the Elk …

On August 7, 1420, construction began on the dome of Florence Cathedral, designed by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi. — August 7th, 1933 was the birthday of Jerry Pournelle. He, along with Larry Niven authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. — 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 …

On August 6, 1819, Norwich University was founded in Vermont as the first private military school in the United States. Pictured is a squad of Norwich Army ROTC cadets on an air movement via a 10th Mountain Division Blackhawk helicopter, in 2021.  (U.S. Army photo by PFC Ethan Scofield.) — August 6, 1699, HMS Roebuck, captained by “explorer and pirate”  William Dampier, landed at Shark Bay, Western Australia on the first British scientific expedition to Australia. — August 6, 2011, a U.S. CH-47D Chinook military helicopter operating with the call sign Extortion 17 (spoken “one-seven”) was shot down while transporting …

On August 5, 1775, the Spanish packet boat San Carlos entered San Francisco Bay for the first time. It was under the command of Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala.  He and his crew of 30 men spent six weeks surveying the bay from its shallow southern end to the northern end of what is now known as Suisun Bay. — August 5, 1861: President Lincoln signed the first US personal Income Tax into law.  It levied 3% of incomes over $800. — On August 5, 1846, the Oregon territory was divided between the United States and Britain at the 49th …

On August 4, 1821, the first edition of the American magazine “The Saturday Evening Post” was published. — August 4, 1914: The United States declared neutrality on the outbreak of WWI. — On August 4, 1961, Spokane, Washington reached an August record high of 108°F. — Today’s feature article is a guest piece that was too short to qualify for the judging in the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. We are now seeking entries for Round 114 of the contest. More than $900,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, …