Where is Jimmy Hoffa? The Deep’s Grifon was a true beauty of the sea, as was Jaqueline Bissett July 31, 2009

Take That Boy! On this date in 1715, the French ship Grifon survived a hurricane off the coast of Florida. “So what,” you ask?Well, first off when the Spanish came to the new world they were looking for booty and plunder. They wanted to exploit the region for its natural resources and send it back [...]

Public Torture of a Dog Spurred Electrical Progress But Edison Shorted Out July 30, 2009

On This Date in History:  In the late 19th century a technological competition was buzzing.  Thomas Edison favored the direct current (DC) as a method of transmitting electricity while rival George Westinghouse was in favor of the alternating current (AC).  AC was cheaper to transmit but the direct current was thought at the time to [...]

“In God We Trust” Unconstitutional? Unjust Court-Martial of USS Indianapolis Skipper? July 29, 2009

On This Date in History:  President Eisenhower signed into law a bill requiring “In God We Trust”  (link to a history on “in God we trust’)  be put on all currency and be considered the official US Motto on this date in 1956.   Since 1864, during the Civil War, the motto had been put on some coins but [...]

Empire State Bldg and Twin Towers were hit by planes but only the Towers Fell; Why? July 28, 2009

  On This Date In History: At about 9:49 AM on July 28, 1945 a B-25 Mitchell hit the 79th floor of the world’s then tallest building, the Empire State Building.  Two crew members and a passenger were killed in the bomber and 11 people in the building were killed as well. The building was [...]

US Army Attacks US Army Vets in One of America’s Darkest Hours July 27, 2009

On This Date in History:  We’ve heard that this is the worst economy “since the great depression.”   I have taken issue with that as I think it is pure hyperbole and political posturing.  In my view, our overall economic situation is more akin to the latter part of the Carter administration and early Reagan years. [...]

Ben Takes the Reigns at the Post Office July 26, 2009

On This Date In History: The US Postal Service was founded on this date in 1775 with Ben Franklin as the first Postmaster General.   Franklin was the best choice since he had experience. See, he was the Postmaster General of the colonies(or deputy postmaster)  for the crown beginning in 1753.  Under Franklin, delivery time for mail was cut [...]

An Historically Awful Day to Travel July 25, 2009

On This Date In History: It wasn’t supposed to be able to happen. Modern ships. Modern communications. Modern radar. A huge Atlantic Ocean. Yet, two ships managed to run into one another on the high seas off the coast of Nantucket on this date in 1956 and what resulted was “the greatest rescue of all [...]

Oprah’s Harpo Studios Haunted From Eastland Disaster? Kitchen Debate Video July 24, 2009

On This Date In History: The steamboat Eastland was a steamboat on the Chicago River in the early 20th century that was built with known engineering flaws. But, they used it for ferrying passengers from the city to picnic sites on Lake Michigan. It was designed to hold 650 people. On This Date In 1915, [...]

Drive through crime: Even by the Cops! Serial Killers are Sometimes Women July 23, 2009

I’m not sure if it’s because of the economy and people’s nerves are rattled or perhaps its simply due to the age of the internet,  But, it would seem on the surface that more and more people are calling 911 when the get upset over the service they get at a fast food joint. We [...]

John Dillinger: Did the G-man Not Get the Right Man? July 22, 2009

On This Date In History: In the late 1920′s and 1930′s, lots of gangsters roamed the countryside. Public Enemy Number One was determined by the Bureau of Investigations, which in 1935 became the FBI.   In 1934, the man who held the title was John Dillinger.  While it didn’t take him long to top the list, he [...]