William Tweed, aka “Boss Tweed,” was a ruthless 19th-century New York City politician. He is known for his powerful influence within the NY Democratic political machine (Tammany Hall), and well as for flaunting his over-the-top corruption, fraud, and greed for over two decades.
Category Archives: Scandals & Revolutions
Was the Ezekiel Airship First in Flight?
Is it possible a Texas Baptist preacher beat the famous Wright Brothers to achieve powered flight a full year before Kitty Hawk? At the turn of the century, huge cash prizes were offered by newspapers for the first powered, heavier-than-air flight. In Pittsburg, Texas, a Baptist minister and inventor named Burrell Cannon just may haveContinue reading “Was the Ezekiel Airship First in Flight?”
Jonathan Wild, London’s First Criminal Mastermind
In early 18th century England, Jonathan Wild was a notorious criminal mastermind. He lead a mafia-like empire that included everything from robbery to extortion to blackmail. What makes Wild’s story even more “wild” was that he skillfully played both sides of the coin — crime and law enforcement, profiting as an official Thief-Taker. In theContinue reading “Jonathan Wild, London’s First Criminal Mastermind”
The Macabre Corpse Trial of Pope Formosus
Yes, you read that right. In 897, the new, Pope Stephen VI, held such hatred and animosity toward his predecessor, Pope Formosus, that he put him on trial in Rome. One small detail, Pope Formosus had been dead for 7 months. Undeterred, Pope Stephen ordered his body exhumed from St. Peters. Then, Formosus’ decaying corpseContinue reading “The Macabre Corpse Trial of Pope Formosus”
Watergate – the Scandal that took down a President
The Watergate Scandal may seem tepid compared to recent presidential escapades, but in 1973, it shocked America to its core. One of the most disturbing episodes of abuse of power occurred on the evening of October 20th, 1973. The press would dub it The Saturday Night Massacre. It would lead to the resignation of a U.S. President. President RichardContinue reading “Watergate – the Scandal that took down a President”
China vs. Tibet, a Century of Occupation
Before Communist China existed, for over a thousand years, Tibet was a ‘protectorate’ of the Manchu/Qing Dynasty. Tibet however maintained its own language, governor, laws, army, and paid no taxes. China’s control over Tibet weakened during the 1800’s, when China suffered assaults from the Japanese and British Empires. By the turn of the 1900’s, TibetContinue reading “China vs. Tibet, a Century of Occupation”
The Fall and Rise of Labor Unions
Labor unions grew over a hundred years ago during the Industrial Revolution out of a relatively simple concept. The idea of protecting and advancing the common interest and rights of workers, both men AND women. Fair compensation, fair hours, fair conditions. Still, labor unions had a long and torturous rise to influence. They fought powerfulContinue reading “The Fall and Rise of Labor Unions”
Evita Peron – The Woman Behind the Musical
The beautiful Evita Perón wielded amazing power in a time and country when few women broke the patriarchy barrier. Maria Eva de Perón was the 2nd wife of Argentinian President Juan Perón. She was the First Lady of Argentina from 1946, until her very early death at only 33. Popularized in a Broadway musical, sheContinue reading “Evita Peron – The Woman Behind the Musical”
The Rwanda Genocide – an African Holocaust
In 1994, in just one hundred gruesome days, nearly 1 million Rwandan Tutsis and moderates were slaughtered by ethnic Hutu extremists in the Rwanda Genocide.
Senator Joe McCarthy and The Red Scare
Senator Joe McCarthy was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1947 as a Wisconsin Republican. During his tenure, the bombastic McCarthy played upon America’s fears of “communist traitors” everywhere to gain unheard of political power. He abused his oversight authority by accusing thousands of government staff members and ordinary citizens of secretly being communists, spies, or left-leaning sympathizers. He skillfully used the press amplify lies and feed the people’s frenzy of fear and suspicion.