Gilbert M. Stack's Blog, page 127
August 12, 2018
Today in History: The Bloody Gulch Massacre
On this day (August 12) in 1950, North Korean troops murdered American prisoners of war in the Bloody Gulch Massacre. During the course of the battle over Pongam-ni, two battalions of field artillery were left without close infantry support and the North Koreans took advantage of the situation, killing hundreds of Americans. 75 soldiers were captured as the Americans withdrew. The North Koreans killed their prisoners—55 by machine gun and 20 via bullet to the head.
August 11, 2018
Today in History: Alcatraz
On this day (August 11) in 1934 the first non-military prisoners were brought to Alcatraz—an island prison off the coast of California designed to hold prisoners causing trouble in other prisons. Most of the original prisoners were bank robbers and murderers. Al Capone spent some time there and Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin planned and carried out one of the most incredible prison escapes of all time from Alcatraz.
August 10, 2018
Today in History: The Vasa Sinks
On this day (August 10) in 1628, the Swedish warship, Vasa, sank 20 minutes into her maiden voyage. The ship was terribly top heavy, encountered a strong wind and foundered.
August 9, 2018
Today in History: The U.S. and Canada Establish Their Common Border
On this day (August 9) in 1842, the United States and Britain signed the Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the border between the British territory that became Canada and the United States. It also called for a final end to the slave trade on the high seas, agreed that both parties would share the Great Lakes, and established seven crimes for which the alleged perpetrator would be extradited to the other country: murder, attempted murder, arson, robbery, piracy, forgery, and the “utterance of forged papers.”
August 8, 2018
Today in History: The Fantastic Four
On this day (August Eight) in 1961, Fantastic Four #1 was published by Marvel Comics and in so doing changed the nature of American comics forever. Unlike it’s DC rivals, Fantastic Four was set in a real world city (New York City) and made relationships an important part of each story (the “family relationships” of the FF led to a lot of realistic bickering and fighting even while they maintained a family’s love for each other). The Thing was not happy with his powers (who wants to be transformed into a rock creature anyway?). And the group did not have secret identities. The more sophisticated storylines rocked the comics industry, but DC was slow to understand the threat these new storyline presented to their then dominance of the market. The Hulk, Spiderman, Thor, Iron Man, the Avengers, and the X-Men quickly followed, all finding a new take on the superhero which excited Marvel’s growing fan base.
August 7, 2018
Today in History: The Purple Heart
On this day (August 7) in 1782, George Washington ordered that a medal honoring wounded soldiers be created. It was originally called the Badge of Military Merit but was later renamed the Purple Heart.
August 6, 2018
Today in History: The CSS Arkansas Is Scuttled
On this day (August 6) in 1862, the Confederates were forced to scuttle the CSS Arkansas, an ironclad, to keep it from falling into Union hands after it suffered engine trouble. The Arkansas had engaged Federal ships attacking Vicksburg and was instrumental in inducing the Union to lift the naval siege of Vicksburg (which probably was not going to succeed without a simultaneous action by the army). Less than three weeks later, the Arkansas suffered catastrophic engine trouble and with no hope for repair had to be destroyed by her own crew.
August 5, 2018
Today in History: The Pilgrims Take the Wrong Ship
On this day (August 5) in 1620, the Pilgrims left England in the Speedwell to journey to the new world and found a Godly City. The Speedwell had been purchased by the Pilgrims to make the journey alongside the more famous Mayflower. The ship immediately began to leak, requiring the Pilgrims to return to Dartmouth for repairs. A second attempt was aborted for the same reason after journeying 350 miles. Pilgrim William Bradford complained that a too-large mast was the problem. Historian Nathaniel Philbrick theorizes that the too-large mast was purposely installed by the Dutch who wished to frustrate the Pilgrim’s attempt to found an English colony in the New World.
August 4, 2018
Today in History: Champagne
On this day (August 4) in 1693, Dom Pierre Perignon is credited with inventing champagne—even if he didn’t actually invent it. Perignon was a Benedictine monk. His real contribution to sparkling wine was to invent processes that improved the quality of the beverage.
August 3, 2018
The Legionnaire Series Has Sold More than 2500 Copies
I'm thrilled to announce that my Legionnaire Series has now sold more than 2500 copies. Thanks to everyone out there who has supported me by trying this series. It's a genuine labor of love and the best is definitely yet to come.
