The fate of immigrants arriving in New York City’s infamous Ellis Island, around the turn of the century, depended on a quick 2 minute physical and their answers to 29 pivotal questions.
Author Archives: andrewspaulw
The Forgotten Holocaust Hero, Japan’s Chiune Sugihara
Heroes are often born unexpectedly from dire circumstances. Confronted with an intolerable situation, they choose to act with humanity, rather than meekly back down, or join the angry mob.
The Fast and Fierce Life of the Pony Express
There are few images more American than of the famous Pony Express. In just 9-10 days, young riders carried the mail by horseback over 1,966 miles from Missouri to California.
10 Powerful Lines from 10 Famous Speeches
Anyone who’s had to give a talk or make a speech in public knows how intimidating and challenging it can be. The most famous speeches are a combination of impeccable writing and a polished delivery. Some of great speeches have been given either by charismatic speakers of the day, or under adverse circumstances that madeContinue reading “10 Powerful Lines from 10 Famous Speeches”
The Inca Empire was Defeated by Francisco Pizarro and just 168 Conquistadors
How could the massive Inca Empire have been conquered by Francisco Pizarro and just 168 Spanish conquistadors? Pizarro and his men were the first Europeans to make contact with the vast Inca Empire, high in the Andes Mountains. In less than a decade, the Spaniards defeated the entire Incan army, hundreds of thousands of warriors strong.
Anne Bonny, the Fierce, Forgotten, Female Pirate
Anne Bonny is one of the most famous female pirates of all time. She was known for her Irish red hair, fierce fighting skills and ruthlessness. Her exploits occurred during the notorious period known as the “Golden Age of Piracy.” During her time as a pirate, Anne proved herself an equal to any man onboard. She sailed, drank, swore and fought alongside her fellow male pirates. The mysterious circumstances of Anne Bonny’s ultimate fate, has only fueled modern stories of her adventurous life.
Podcast: 10 Forgotten Facts about the Women’s Suffrage Movement
August 2020 marked 100 years since women in the U.S. were finally given the right to vote. Though the Declaration of Independence in 1776 declared that all ‘men’ are created equal, the U.S. Constitution did not grant such equality to women.
The Worst Coal Mining Disasters in History
Two of the worst coal mining disasters in our history, one in U.S. and one in the UK, took place only six years apart – in West Virginia in 1907 and Wales in 1913. Let’s take a closer look at them both. December 6, 1907 – Fairmont Coal Company, Monongah, West Virginia – 361 DeadContinue reading “The Worst Coal Mining Disasters in History”
SKYLAB – America’s Forgotten Space Station
The International Space Station, ISS has been in operation since 2000. But America’s very first space station was SKYLAB. It helped pave the way for permanent operations in low-Earth orbit over 50 years ago. Skylab spent six years in orbit from 1973 to 1979, with three successive three-man crews on board for a record settingContinue reading “SKYLAB – America’s Forgotten Space Station”
The World War I Christmas Eve Truce of 1914
On Christmas Day 1914, in the cold, muddy trenches of World War I’s Western Front, a truly miraculous event occurred. For a few brief hours, opposing soldiers, British, French, Germans and Austrians in the “No Man’s Land” of France and Belgium, declared their own cease fire. They laid down their arms, climbed from the trenches,Continue reading “The World War I Christmas Eve Truce of 1914”