Portugal’s “Carnation Revolution”

In April 1974, military officers in Portugal organized a bloodless coup that overthrew the longest-running dictatorship in Europe.

Carnation Revolution                 photo from WikiCommons

The Vietnam War “Rock Apes”

In the years of the Vietnam War, strange reports began filtering back from American troops who had encountered “Vietnam’s Bigfoot”.

US troops in Vietnam                        photo from WikiCommons

May Day History: The Haymarket Riot

NOTE: I re-run this diary every May 1. Solidarity forever.

In the US, May Day used to be the internationally-recognized day of recognition and celebration for Labor and its struggles–at least until the Soviet Union ruined it with their idiotic military parades. But in honor of the true meaning of May Day, I offer this account of its history . . .

Isaac Parker: The “Hanging Judge”

Isaac Parker, the 19th century Federal judge assigned to Fort Smith, Arkansas, earned a reputation as a harsh and strict authority in a region that was lawless and violent. The reality, however, was a bit more complex than that.

Indictment signed by Isaac Parker, on display at the Museum of World Treasures, Wichita KS

How Donald Trump’s Uncle Helped Win WW2

Donald Trump may have evaded the Vietnam War because of “bone spurs”, but his uncle played an important role in winning the Second World War.

An early magnetron radar                   photo from WikiCommons

Lee Harvey Oswald’s Rifle

The rifle used by Lee Harvey Oswald to kill President Kennedy in Dallas had a long history.

Oswald’s rifle, as it was found after the assassination               photo from WikiCommons

The Largest Ship Ever Built

The largest ship ever built (so far) was best-known under the name Seawise Giant.

“Seawise Giant” undergoing repairs in Singapore after being refloated            photo from WikiCommons

Russia’s Naval War in Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has become a testing ground for new weapons and tactics. In particular, the naval operations have attracted a lot of interest from the world’s militaries. It has turned into a lopsided contest in which Ukraine has already destroyed around one-third of the Russian Baltic Fleet—despite having no major combat ships of its own. This result may have serious implications for navies around the world.

The guided missile attack cruiser “Moskva”                        photo from WikiCommons

The CIA’s Cold War Plan to Use Stray Cats as Spies

In the 1960s, the CIA made a failed attempt to use bugged cats as spies.

Secret Agent Kit E. Katt                                                                    photo from Wiki Commons

The SL-1 Nuclear Reactor Accident

The first fatal nuclear reactor accident in American history happened at a research station in Idaho in 1961—and is still the subject of debate and controversy.

SL-1 reactor being dismantled              photo from WikiCommons

The Soviet Lunokhod Moon Rover

The 1970 Soviet lunar probe Lunokhod was overshadowed by the American Apollo moon landings, but it was a significant technical achievement in space exploration.

Dignitaries examine an engineering model of Lunokhod-1                                          photo from Wiki Commons

Icons of Aviation History: B-52 Stratofortress

The B-52 bomber was first conceived in 1945, and it remains today as an important part of the US arsenal.

“Legs” Diamond

Although Jack “Legs” Diamond was a relatively low-level petty crook, he has become one of the most well-known 1920s Mafia figures in US history.

American Chinese Food

Much of the food we find today in “Chinese restaurants” is not in fact Chinese at all—it was born in the USA.

My local Chinese food place in Florida

Wild Florida: Dung Beetles

A story of sand and shit.

🙂

Rainbow Scarab, found in the Red River Hog enclosure at the Zoo Tampa