SurvivalBlog.com

Solar Flare Update: An X7.1 category solar flare was detected on Tuesday.  It is unknown whether the flare’s CME will be a direct strike or a glancing blow to Earth.  The main effects are expected between Friday and Saturday, October 4th-5th. I recommend disconnecting antennas and putting all of your spare radios and other sensitive electronics into Faraday containers for at least a few days.

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On October 2, 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier first visited the Iroquois settlement of Hochelaga. (Later named Montreal.)

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October 2, 1835: The story of the “Come and Take It” flag began at the Battle of Gonzales. This was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. The retrieval of a cannon that had been loaned to the Gonzales colonists by the Mexican government in 1831 to defend themselves from hostile Apaches and Comanches was the issue. A Mexican Army Corporal and a few soldiers were sent to reclaim the cannon. “Come and Take It” was the motto adopted by the Texas rebels defending the cannon.

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On October 2nd, 2002 the Beltway sniper attacks began. A series of coordinated sniper attacks occurred in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The attacks lasted three weeks and resulted in the killing of 10 people.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. 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.
2. 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),
3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $925,000 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 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

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But first, the results of the most recent writing contest judging, for Round 114.

On October 1, 1880, John Philip Sousa (pictured) became the new director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band.

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On October  1, 331 BC, the army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.

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Please keep the folks inside of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation in your prayers.  We’d appreciate reading “After Action” reports from SurvivalBlog readers in the area. There are certainly some lessons to be learned. – JWR

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the first entry for Round 115 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. 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.
2. 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),
3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

Second Prize:

1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
2. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $925,000 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 115 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

On September 30, 1880, American amateur astronomer Henry Draper took the first-ever photograph of the Orion Nebula.  More recent images have of course been more dazzling, but Draper’s was the first.

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On this day in 1938, the short-lived Treaty of Munich was signed by Hitler, Mussolini, Daladier, and Chamberlain. This treaty forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany.

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I just heard of the death of Kris Kristofferson, at age 88. First known for his music, and later for his acting, he was among America’s Larger Than Life crowd. I first became aware of him as an actor when I watched the 1987 television miniseries Amerika. So now Willie Nelson is the last surviving member of The Highwaymen. Kris just made it to Heaven’s Gate. (Seriously, he did become a Christian, and he wasn’t shy about talking about it.)

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Today’s feature article is a review by our own Tom Christianson.

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Round 114 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest ends today, but we are seeking entries for Round 115. 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. You can start writing an entry for Round 115 and e-mail it to us. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.