The link to this might have disappeared, but it’s an interesting article worth digging for. The Occupy movement benefitted from this kind of organised alliance of oppressed groups. Shame they weren’t able to effect much change. Now the story of these Jewish refugees, taken in by black communities in the segregated South, is being told. […]
Category Archives: history
Battles and conflicts without fatalities
A carry over from my Turbot War readings. Of course the Pig War is on here. Wikipedia is so awesome. Would that the list was longer, though! Category:Battles and conflicts without fatalities – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Statue Molestation
I’ve linked to this before, I’m sure, but Jimmy Carter getting his bronzed perve on is too good not to link to again. 25 People Molesting Statues | SMOSH.
The Turbot War
I clearly remember the Turbot Scandal, but had no idea it was an actual war. Fantastically nerdy. Even nerdier was this little tidbit, which I love: Territorial seas have changed over time, having begun with a 3 nautical mile 6 km “cannon shot” territorial sea, followed by the long standing extension to a 12 nautical mile […]
Shibboleths
Drawn from my Band of Brothers viewing. Shibboleths appeal both to the history nerd and the word nerd in me. During the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War, the American forces used the challenge-response codes “Flash” – “Thunder” – “Welcome”. The last response was used to identify the challenger as a native English […]
William IV – Old King Cool
With the recent lavish Jubilee celebrations during a time when Britons are being cramped by economic woes, it’s nice to remember that the Royals haven’t always been money-sucking figureheads: Some of them have been thrifty figureheads. William IV sounds like a better fit for Austerity Britain than HRH Liz. The King immediately proved himself a […]
Band Of Brothers Revisited
I revisited Band of Brothers this week – an unwitting tribute to the D-Day anniversary, as I’ve watched the series many times and tend to throw it on when I need something to watch. I’m always struck not only by the drama, but the off-set camaraderie the actors developed. This web archive provides a series […]
Days of Days
CBC Digital Archives – D-Day: Canadians Target Juno Beach – 1944: Canadians storm Juno Beach on D-Day.
Modern Antiques
Church Key Many a barbecue and tailgate party was ruined in the pre-pop top days when it was discovered that no one had remembered to bring a church key to the proceedings. The pointy end punctured beer (and soda pop) cans open – one hole for pouring, one for a vent. The rounded end was […]
Shitty Jobs
Was thrifting the other week and noticed a novel set during The Great Stink. I left the book but made a note to read up on the historical event, which was pretty interesting. My favourite part of the Wikipedia article, though, was this list of Sewage Related Occupations of the Era, which includes some fantastic […]