First Battle of Fredericksburg (Civil War)

The First Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was a battle of the United States Civil war between the Union's Army of the Potomac, and the Confederate States of America's Army of Northern Virginia, and was actually fought over several days: December 11-15, 1862.

Battle Highlights

Union Confederates

Generals: Ambrose E. Burnside Robert E. Lee

Approx. Troops Deployed: 114,100 72,500

Casualties and Losses: 12,653 5,377

Considered Victor: The Confederate Forces

For more information on the Battle of Fredericksburg, please proceed to this website for an in- depth analysis of the battle, or here for a fairly short summary.

Hyper Speed GO!

Chuck Yeager and his Bell X-1A Model Aircraft

On December 12, 1953, Chuck Yeager broke the speed barrier when he reached Mach 2.43 in a Bell X-1A Rocket Plane.

Not only did Yeager brake the speed barrier, but he also broke a rival test pilot's record, who was going to be honored as the "fastest man alive" soon after this occurred. Yeager's new record bested that of his rival.

This website provides more information on Chuck Yeager and his accomplishments.

This website provides more events that occurred on this day in history.

DECLARATION OF WAR

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

ON December 11, 1941, the , furt United States officially declared war on Italy and Germany, furher creating hostilities in the Second Great War. (The United States had previously declared war on the Japanese three days prior.)

For more information on this particular Declaration of War, progress to this website, which provides information for further research..

During this period, the following famous (or infamous) men were present within office.

United States: Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Britian: Winston Churchill

The Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin

Italy: Benito Mussolini

Germany: Adolf Hitler

Prime Minister of Japan: Hideki Tojo

For more information about the declaration of war, progress to this website, which provides good information.

PEARL HARBOR BOMBING

It is Sunday, December 7, 1941 and a soldier sleeps peacefully in the barracks at the Pearl Harbor U.S. Navy base in Hawaii. Suddenly, the soldier awakens to the sound of bombs being detonated, gunfire, and explosions everywhere. The soldier stumbles out of his bed and throws open the door to his barracks, and sees planes marked with the blood-red rising sun on their wings hurling bombs and bullets onto U.S. ships and everything in sight. He then hears from a radio broadcast, "Air raid Pearl Harbor. This is not a drill." Only then does he really become aware of what is occurring.

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On this day in 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and thus initiated the United States into World War 2.

Please progress to this website, as it provides written eyewitness accounts from Pearl Harbor soldiers/attendees.

Navy Vs. Army

This article is something for all of you football fans (which is something that I do not do often).

On this day in 1890, the first Army Vs. Navy football game occurred at West Point Army Academy. The conclusion resulted in a win for the Navy team; 24-0.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DAY IN HISTORY, PROGRESS TO THIS WEBSITE, which provides numerous more events.

For current Army team statistics, progress to this website.

For current Navy statistics, progress to this website.

Both provide up-to-date statistics and good information.

The Shooter Has Been Shot!

On November 24, 1963, Jack Ruby, a Kennedy admirer from Texas, shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, President John F. Kennedy's assassin while being transferred from the city jail to the county jail.

Who: Jack Ruby, a Texas citizen

Where: The Basement of the Municipal Building

What: The eradication of the Kennedy assailant.

How: A .38 caliber snub-nosed revolver.

When: Obviously, November 24, 1963

For more information on this particular occurrence, visit this website, which provides details and different angles for the story.

November 23, 2009

On this day in 1765, the citizens of Frederick County, Maryland, decided not to pay the King George the Third's famed Stamp Tax.

This tax included:

1. Legal Documents


2. Diplomas


3. Almanacs and Newspapers


4. Broadcasters


5. Playing Cards


6. Letters


7. Other Paper Items

For information about the stamp tax, progress to this website.

MAYFLOWER!

On this very fateful day in 1620, the famed ship the Mayflower arrived in what is now Provincetown Harbor, Massachusettes. While they were anchored there, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, a document that included regulations as to when the group would progress to land.

The Mayflower Compact

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign, King James, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of Faith, etc.

Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith and honour of our king and country, a Voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnity and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November, in the year of reign of our sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

Interesting Fact:

• The Mayflower Compact was signed on November 11 using OLD STYLE dates, which used the Julian Calendar. When England altered to the Gregorian Calender, which was more accurate than the Julian Calender, they converted the dates of previous occurrences.

To research more about the Mayflower Compact, click this link, which provides excellent background information, as well as other facts.

To learn more about Old Style and New Style dates click this link. This is exceedingly interesting, actually.

This Day In History: Births and Deaths

Today, we shall progress through births and deaths of historical figures.

Births:

• Vespasian, a Roman Emperor; 9 A.D.


• King Louis the XVIII; 1755 A.D.


• Christopher Paolini, Author of the Eragon series; 1983 A.D.

Deaths:

• Valentinian, a Roman Emperor; 375 A.D.


• Jack (Calico Jack) Rackham, an English Pirate; 1720 A.D.

For more births and deaths on 17 November 2009, progress to this link.

Veteran's Day

Although last week was Veteran's Day, I was going to post on the indicated date, however became too preoccupied with other tasks, and forgot. I would now like to thank all of the Veterans and soldiers who are fighting currently or who have fought for the United States of America.



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Brief History of Veteran's Day

Although World War 1 officially concluded with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, the actual hostilities between the Allies and their opponents concluded with an armistice, or a temporary conclusion in hostilities approximately seven months prior, on November 11, 1918.

• In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day.



• This was legalized as an official government holiday in 1938.



• Although Armistice Day was originally intended to honor World War 1 veterans, it was later altered to also honor World War 2 veterans.



• Armistice Day was altered to Veteran's Day on June 1, 1954 in order to commemorate veterans of all wars.



• To this day, Veteran's Day is celebrated in the United States on November 11, regardless of the day of the week in which it is placed.

For more information on the History of Veteran's Day, progress to this link.

The Berlin Wall

• There are two news story that inspired me to write a piece on the Berlin Wall, which can be located here, which provides information on the differences in Germany, and here, which celebrates the anniversary of the falling of the wall. Both provide excellent quality information.
  
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  The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier, of which construction began in 1961, intended to divide West Germany from East Germany as a result of their differing political status.
  
  East Germany's sector (red) was originally controlled by the Soviets and their allies, and West Germany's sector (blue) was originally controlled by The Allies, which consisted of the United States, Britain, and France.
  
  East Germany

Was established on 7 October 1949.

Was originally controlled and influenced by the Soviets.

Was also labeled the GDR, or the German Democratic Republic.

The leading political party was the Socialist Unity Party of Germany.

West Germany
Was also labeled the FRG, or Federal Republic of Germany.

West Germany's sectors were originally controlled by the United States, Great Britain, and France.

Was organized on May 23, 1949.

The government system was the Federal Parlimentary Republic.

The FALL of the WALL

The date that is considered as the falling of the wall is November 9, 1989, when West German borders opened to East Germany.

On June 13, 1990, the official dismantling of the Berlin Wall by the East German Military commenced.

A treaty between the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germay was created in mid 1990, causing the GDR to dissolve and join the FRG.

German Unity Day, which identified the conclusion of the unification process on October 3, 1990, is celebrated annually on the 3rd of October.

Interesting Facts:

On November 9, 1989, people commenced removing portions of the wall as souveniers. These people were referred to as Mauerspechte, or wall woodpeckers.

Middle East Madness

Currently, there is an immense controversy as to if we (being the United States) should send more troops and increase government funding for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. I personally am torn on this issue as no one has really succeeded in a war in the Middle East- at least not for several hundred years! For more information on government funding for the war, progress to this site, which provides current information and monetary figures for new government funding of the war.

The Region and Geography
The Middle East's location is between Europe and Asia, and is above Africa. Technically, the Middle East consists of sixteen alternate countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank/ Gaza Strip, and Yemen. (Those links provide more information about these countries and locations.)

Brief History
Over the numerous years, the Middle East has probably been the most battle-experienced area in the world, and there are reasons for this:
1. The Cradle of All Civilization
2. The Holy Land
3. Oil

The Beginning
The Middle East's history begins with the mention of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Bible, which indicate the approximate location of the beginning of civilization. From there, we progress to approximately the fifth to third millennia prior to the birth of Christ, to a civilization referred to as Sumer. (These links provide more information and locations.)

Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria
Sumer was one of the first great recognizable civilizations, and is famous for its numerous dynasties. The Sumerian civilization influenced numerous others, including the Babylonians. The Babylonian civilization was one of the first to develop public social regulations, which were inscribed onto immense pillars in city centers. Babylon was also mentioned in the Bible, for they conquered the Israelite people in the Babylonian Exile. Another ancient Mesopotamian civilization from around this time period is Assyria. Assyria was a particularly war-oriented civilization, and is credited with the invention of iron weapons. From Assyria, we move to a more renowned culture, the ancient Egyptians.

Egypt and the Israelites
The Egyptian civilization thrived for numerous years and dynasties, and is credited with the invention of papyrus paper, which was created from the papyrus tree. Egypt is also mentioned throughout the Bible, but is most notable for the stories of Joseph and Moses. We must also recognize that the ancient Hebrews, or Israelites were descended from the Semites, a group of Middle Eastern nomadic people. Throughout history, numerous civilizations have conquered the Israelites in the Middle East, several of which include the Romans, the Greeks/Alexander the Great, Babylon, Assyria, and the Persians. Finally, we arrive at the Birth of Christ, during which much of the Middle East was conquered by the Romans.

After Christ
Into more modern times, the history of the Middle East seems to contain nothing except war and government instability. Conquerors of this period include the Byzantines, the Arabs, the English during the Crusades, and the Ottomans. As we all are aware, the current situation of the Middle East is terrible, with wars and corrupt government. (More Informational links.)

Interesting Fact:

The Ancient Mesopotamians are credited for developing the wheel, and one of the first written alphabets.

For a list of Middle Eastern conflicts, click this link. Its astounding!

Halloween!

Okay, today's topic shall cover the history behind the holiday that we all immensely enjoy-Halloween.

The Name
Halloween's name is derived from the name All Hollow's Even, referring to the night directly prior to the Christian celebration of All Saints Day. The een in Halloween is derived from a shortening the word Even which is the origin of the words evening or eve.

The Events and Traditions
While numerous people believe that the origins of Halloween are present within the ancient Roman feast Pomona, it is more specifically derived from the Celtic festival of samhain (or samuin), which is the celebration of the "lighter half" of the year concluding, and the "darker half" of the year commencing. It is also sometimes considered the Celtic New Year. On this day, the ancient Celts believed that the "layer" between Earth and the "otherworld" became thin, and the deceased's spirits were permitted to return. While the spirits of family and friends were invited inside a person's home, evil spirits were warded away. It is believed by historians and folklorists that the people commenced carving pumpkins and wearing costumes for precisely this purpose.

Who was aware that there was so much history behind the costumes, and jack-o-lanterns?

For more information, progress to this website, which provides the reader with more in depth information.

Interesting Facts:

-The Britons (which were neighbors to the Celts) celebrate a similar holiday, calan gaeaf.

-The original celebration is similar to the Aztec (currently Mexican) celebration The Day of the Dead in that the souls of the deceased supposedly return to Earth.

Random Fact:

-Numerous websites currently feature a virtual pumpkin carving device.

First Post

Well, the first topics of this blog shall be several events that occurred upon this day throughout history.

1775-On this day,the British soldiers occupying Boston issued a proclaimation that stated that no resident was permitted to depart from the city.

1886- On this day, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated by Grover Cleveland, which commemorated the relationship that the French created with the United States during the Revolutionary War.

1962-On this day, Nikita Khrushchev odered the removal of the nuclear missiles in Cuba, thus concluding the Cuban Missile Crisis.

For more more events that occurred in history on this day, visit This website.

I would also like to acknowledge that President Theordore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, and is considered to be one of the paramount American Presidents.