Category: Note

May 6th is the birthday of Tuvia Bielski. (Born 1906, died 1987.) You may remember him as the main character in the movie Defiance. This movie was based on the book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans by Nechama Tec. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …

This is the birthday of Pat Frank (1908-1964). This was the pen name of newspaper journalist Harry Hart Frank. His novel Alas, Babylon is a survivalist classic. His personal life was marred by alcoholism, but his writing is admired and still surprisingly popular, today. (Alas, Babylon is still in print, after 63 years!) As an homage to Pat Frank, one of the settings in my novel Expatriates is Mt. Dora, Florida, which was fictionalized by Pat Frank as “Fort Repose” in Alas, Babylon. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing …

May 4th 1943 – A patent for helicopter controls was obtained by Igor Sikorsky. Sikorsky designed and patented improvements to fixed-wing and multi-engined aircraft, transoceanic flying boats, and most famously, helicopters. On May 4, 1415, reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus were condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance. The death of Hus inspired the later Hussite revolution in Bohemia. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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% …

His 70th birthday! May 3rd, 1952 was the birthday of Pastor Chuck Baldwin. His ministry has strongly promoted the American Redoubt movement. — I was saddened to hear that pro-gun novelist John Ross passed away. He is of course remembered as the author of the very influential novel Unintended Consequences. Please say a prayer for his family members. — Two interesting new SurvivalRealty.com property listings: 1.) West of Socorro, New Mexico: Unique New Mexico Mountain Home – Prepper/Safe Haven, Hunting Camp. It even has a fallout shelter! 2.)  Beautiful and practical, ideal for lifestyle and as a refuge: A 10-acre …

On May 2, 1945, the Soviet Union announced the fall of Berlin and the Allies announced the surrender of Nazi troops in Italy and parts of Austria. — Today we present a review written by our stalwart Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio.

May 1st is the birthday of the late Joel Rosenberg, a Canadian-born novelist and gun rights advocate (born 1954, died June 2, 2011). He is not to be confused with Joel C. Rosenberg (born 1967), who is another great novelist and the author of The Last Jihad series. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …

April 30, 1777 was the birthday of Carl Friedrich Gauss, who is widely considered the world’s greatest mathematician. Today is also the birthday of sci-fi novelist Larry Niven (born April 30, 1938). Along with Jerry Pournelle, he co-authored the survivalist classic Lucifer’s Hammer. April 30th is also the birthday of Ed Yourdon, who was born in 1944. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …

Today is the birthday of actor Daniel Day-Lewis (born 1957), often remembered for his starring roles in Last of the Mohicans and in Lincoln. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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), …

April 28th is the birthday of Aimo Johannes Lahti. (Born in 1896.) This inventive Finn designed (or co-designed) an amazing array of weapons including the L-35 Lahti pistol, the Suomi M-31 SMG, the Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG, the famous Lahti L-39 20mm anti-tank rifle, and even the 20 ItK 40 (a 20mm dual anti-aircraft cannon.) — I just heard that David J. Theroux, the founder of the Independent Institute, has passed away, after a brief illness.  Our condolences to his family.  Take the time to read his biography — with links to some of his well-reasoned writings. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest …

On this day in 1789, the crew of the British ship Bounty mutinied, setting Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors adrift in a launch in the South Pacific. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 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 …

On April 26, 1986, one of the world’s worst nuclear accidents occurred at the Chernobyl plant in the Ukrainian portion of the USSR. An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactivity into the atmosphere; at least 31 Soviets died immediately. JWR’s Comments: I was unfortunately a Chernobyl down-winder. You see, I was TDY with the 2nd M.I. Battalion at Stuttgart Army Airfield that spring, working live Guardrail intel missions. After the Soviet reactor went kablooey, we were all lied to by both the West German government and the U.S. Army. They later revealed that they had downplayed …

Today is the birthday of physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937). He was known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission as well as for the development of Marconi’s Law and a radio telegraph system. He is often considered the inventor of radio. — Here is a news listing over ay our SurvivalRealty.com spin-off: Private Retreat in Central Idaho RARE FIND! Peaceful Paradise!  In Kooskia, Idaho!!!  This tidy 3br/2 bath home is tastefully decorated, open and bright. Large eat-in kitchen with lots of custom handcrafted cabinets. Newer appliances, Huge wood crafted deck for outdoor living. Attached garage/workshop. Also …

On this day in 1915, the Armenian Genocide began. Ottoman (Turk) Muslims eventually slaughtered 1.5 million of their Christian neighbors, intellectuals, and community leaders. Pictured are some of the 16 girls from the Turkish city of Malatya that were crucified alive with spikes through their feet and hands. The Ottoman government proceeded with multiple phases to round up men in mass executions and drive women and children into the desert on death marches. They also led the general Muslim citizens to participate in brutal periodic massacres within their communities signaled with the blow of a bugle. It is one of …

On April 23, 1968, decimal coins (divisible by 10) were introduced in England. The 5 Pence coin replaced the former 1 Shilling (which was 12 Old Pence.) And the new 10 Pence coin replaced the 2 Shillings Florin (which equated to 24 Old Pence). The old non-decimal coins were removed from circulation by 1971. — Today, a feature article by SurvivalBlog’s Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (“JWR”) — We are seeking entries for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $725,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 100 ends on …

Today is the birthday of actor Eddie Albert (born Edward Albert Heimberger April 22, 1906.) He died May 26, 2005, at age 99.) For his actions in the battle of Tarawa, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device. Today is also he birthday of the late Charles Rankin Bond, Jr., who was born in Dallas on April 22, 1915. (Died, 2009.) He was one of the last of the AVG “Flying Tiger” pilots. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 100 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First …