Category: Note

On September 23, 1779 John Paul Jones aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard defeated the British frigate HMS Serepis and became the first well-known naval hero of the United States.  He answered a call to surrender from his English counterpart with the famous quotation, “I have not yet begun to fight!” — We are running a 3-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until October 11th, 2024, all of our Pietta brand blackpowder revolvers and all of our M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles have their prices deeply discounted.  Take a look! — Today’s feature article is a review written by SurvivalBlog Field Gear …

On this day in 1499, Switzerland became an independent state.  Here is a quote from a scholarly paper on the 1499 Swabian War: “At the end of the fifteenth century, Emperor Maximilian I of the Germany Empire was trying to unite his country. He also tried to force the Swiss Confederation to become closer members of the empire. This led to the Swabian War of 1499. In a series of battles and campaigns, the Swiss were successful in defeating the famous Swabian Landsknechte who had learned to fight in the Swiss manner. As an outcome of the war, the Swiss …

On September 21, 1931, Britain abandoned the gold standard. The Pound — henceforth a paper currency — was immediately devalued by 20%. — 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 …

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …

On this day in 1873, triggered by a bond default and a bank scandal, a panic swept the New York Stock Exchange. This railroad bond default and resultant bank failure shut New York banks for 10 days. — On this day in 1519, Magellan left Europe on his voyage of discovery. — We’ve just started a 3-week-long sale at Elk Creek Company.  Until October 11th, 2024, all of our Pietta brand blackpowder revolvers and all of our M1891 Argentine Mauser rifles have their prices deeply discounted. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 114 of the …

On this day in 1796, George Washington‘s farewell address as US President was published. The full text of his speech is worthwhile reading. — On September 19th, 1778, the Continental Congress passed the first budget of the United States. While the budget may have passed, the states responded poorly to the call for taxes to fund the government, and the government resorted to printing paper money to cover debts. In effect, the first budget was a failure, due in large part to the states not responding to the demands of Congress and to the depreciation of fiat paper money. Are …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …