Belle Gunness is considered the most notorious female serial killer in U.S. history. She is responsible for Indiana’s most gruesome murder spree. Most occurred on her remote La Porte farm in the early 1900’s. Many of the victims were Norwegian men who responded to a “lonely widow” advertisement placed in area newspapers. The true number ofContinue reading “Belle Gunness, America’s Female Serial Killer”
Author Archives: andrewspaulw
Casimir Pulaski, Polish Hero of the American Revolution
Polish nobleman Casimir Pulaski made a historic impact on the American Revolution. He became a brigadier general in the U.S. Continental Army’s first cavalry. Pulaski brought with him experience, organization and proper training, becoming “Father of the American Cavalry” and a “Soldier of Liberty.” While fighting for the patriots in the Battle of Savannah in 1779,Continue reading “Casimir Pulaski, Polish Hero of the American Revolution”
Jew Suss, the most Notorious Nazi Propaganda Film
On 8 September 1940, a new German movie premiered in Europe. Jew Suss [Jud Süss/Jud Süß] was an infamous, anti-Semitic, Nazi propaganda movie. Produced by Joseph Goebbels in 1940 Germany, It hastened the Nazi genocide against European Jews. The movie was a box office success, earning 6.5 million Reichsmarks and an audience of over 20 million.Continue reading “Jew Suss, the most Notorious Nazi Propaganda Film”
Mad King Ludwig and Neuschwanstein Castle
‘Mad’ King Ludwig II of Bavaria was responsible for building some of the most impressive castles and palaces in all of Europe. Known as the “Fairytale King”, his Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, and especially Neuschwanstein attract millions of visitors a year. His castles represent an operatic fantasy world built to escape from reality, which was ultimately hisContinue reading “Mad King Ludwig and Neuschwanstein Castle”
Milton Hershey and his Chocolate Factory
Before Willie Wonka there was Milton Hershey. He created one of America’s most beloved chocolate and candy brands. He made milk chocolate a treat Americans and those around the world could afford. In the process, he created a fortune. Hershey used his vast wealth for philanthropy rather than personal gain. He built an extraordinary orphanage thatContinue reading “Milton Hershey and his Chocolate Factory”
Heroic WWI Nurse Edith Cavell – shot by German Firing Squad
Edith Cavell was a pioneering British Red Cross nurse, working in German-occupied Belgium during the World War I. Despite the risks, she secretly helped hundreds of wounded British, French and Belgian soldiers escape from German custody into Holland. She was arrested and executed in October 1915 by a firing squad of German soldiers. Who wasContinue reading “Heroic WWI Nurse Edith Cavell – shot by German Firing Squad”
The Windscale Nuclear Disaster – Britain’s Chernobyl
In 1957, in an English seaside town, a new type of disaster occurred when a fire broke out at the Windscale nuclear reactors. The fire, at the two-reactor facility in Cumbria (now Sellafield), was due to poor design and gross mismanagement, leading to deadly consequences. The incident became embroiled in Cold War-era secrecy and provedContinue reading “The Windscale Nuclear Disaster – Britain’s Chernobyl”
The MV Doña Paz – the Worst Maritime Disaster in History
While the Titanic and Lusitania may be the more famous shipwrecks, their death toll was but a third of the world’s deadliest, taking the lives of over 4,300 souls. Just five days before Christmas, the MV Doña Paz ferry collided with an oil tanker, burnt to the water line, and sank in the Philippine Sea. Continue reading “The MV Doña Paz – the Worst Maritime Disaster in History”
The Spirited Alice Roosevelt Longworth – Teddy’s Oldest Daughter
Alice Roosevelt Longworth was the oldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. She grew up to become just as outspoken and strong-willed as her father. Alice was the most unconventional first daughter ever to live in the White House. She became a Washington socialite and political power broker with a keen intellect and a razor-sharp tongue.Continue reading “The Spirited Alice Roosevelt Longworth – Teddy’s Oldest Daughter”
How Saint Paul spread Christianity in the Roman Empire
Saint Paul is one of the most central figures in the religious history of the western world. Following his conversion from Judaism to Christianity, he travelled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean Sea. During four, long missionary journeys, he spread the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It was Saint Paul who planted theContinue reading “How Saint Paul spread Christianity in the Roman Empire”