Several hundred women disguised themselves as men and took the bold step of leaving the comforts of home to serve their country during the Civil War. Frances Clalin Clayton disguised herself as a man and took the name Jack Williams in order to fight in the army. For several months, she served in Missouri artilleryContinue reading “Louisa Clayton, the Woman Who Disguised Herself as a Man to Fight in the Civil War”
Category Archives: war
Why did Nazis Shoot Female Russian Soldiers on Sight
Stories about military history often focus on battlefield tactics and strategy. When they do focus on people, it is usually on a male soldier. However, during WWII, the Germans often executed female soldiers on sight. This is doubly amazing because it suggests women were a significant part of the fighting forces and that they provokedContinue reading “Why did Nazis Shoot Female Russian Soldiers on Sight”
The Amazing Story Behind the Picture of a Soldier Feeding a Tiny Kitten in Korean War, 1952
In the middle of the Korean War, this kitten found herself an orphan. Luckily, she found her way into the hands of Marine Sergeant Frank Praytor. He adopted the two-week-old kitten and gave her the name “Miss Hap” because, he explained, “she was born at the wrong place at the wrong time”. There’s a juxtapositionContinue reading “The Amazing Story Behind the Picture of a Soldier Feeding a Tiny Kitten in Korean War, 1952”
General Theodore “We’ll Start The War From Right Here!” Roosevelt Jr. Was Awarded The Medal Of Honor On Utah Beach
A son will often attempt to live up to the legacy of their father, and when your father happens to be former President, Rough Rider, and man extraordinaire Teddy Roosevelt, that can be quite a tall order. Named after his father, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. fought in both World Wars and demonstrated the type of braveryContinue reading “General Theodore “We’ll Start The War From Right Here!” Roosevelt Jr. Was Awarded The Medal Of Honor On Utah Beach”
With Copper, Foil and Paint, a Little-Known American Sculptor Saved Scores of World War I Soldiers From a Faceless Future
Born in Philadelphia in 1878, Anna Coleman Ladd was a classically trained sculptress who in 1917 founded the American Red Cross Studio for Portrait Masks in Paris. Anna was inspired to offer her talent as an artist to help soldiers in France after reading an article about Francis Derwent Wood and his “Tin Noses Shop”Continue reading “With Copper, Foil and Paint, a Little-Known American Sculptor Saved Scores of World War I Soldiers From a Faceless Future”
During World War II, Many Items Were Rationed in the United States, Including Shoes!
During the Second World War, you couldn’t just walk into a shop and buy as much sugar or butter or meat as you wanted, nor could you fill up your car with gasoline whenever you liked. All these things were rationed, which meant you were only allowed to buy a small amount (even if youContinue reading “During World War II, Many Items Were Rationed in the United States, Including Shoes!”
61 Amazing Photos That Capture Private Moments of ‘Soldiers at Rest’ During World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world’s countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers. In a total war directly involving moreContinue reading “61 Amazing Photos That Capture Private Moments of ‘Soldiers at Rest’ During World War II”
“We Can Do It!” – Meet the Woman Who Inspired the Famous Wartime Propaganda Poster in World War II
In 1942, Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. One of these posters became the famous “We Can Do It!” image—an image that in later years would also be called “Rosie the Riveter”, though it was neverContinue reading ““We Can Do It!” – Meet the Woman Who Inspired the Famous Wartime Propaganda Poster in World War II”
Canadian Fighter Pilot in WWI Ordered to Go Back to Flight School. He didn’t. Instead, He Went on To Shoot Down 72 Enemy Aircraft
Air Marshal William Avery “Billy” Bishop was a Canadian fighter pilot in WWI who crashed his plane during a practice run and was ordered to go back to flight school. He didn’t. Instead, he went on to shoot down 72 enemy aircraft, making him a legend in his own time and earning him a VictoriaContinue reading “Canadian Fighter Pilot in WWI Ordered to Go Back to Flight School. He didn’t. Instead, He Went on To Shoot Down 72 Enemy Aircraft”
Conrad Heyer, the Only Photographed Person To Have Crossed the Delaware With George Washington, 1776.
Conrad Heyer, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, is known as the only photographed person to have crossed the Delaware with George Washington, 1776. He also is the earliest-born American to have ever been photographed. As well, he is believed to be the earliest born human ever photographed. Heyer was born in Waldoboro, MaineContinue reading “Conrad Heyer, the Only Photographed Person To Have Crossed the Delaware With George Washington, 1776.”