Service Our National Needs…

“In preparing for a lifetime of service, our professionally trained military graduates must train not only for leadership in battle, but also to provide leadership for the Nation in adapting the resources of science and education to our national needs.” General Omar Bradley (1893 to 1981) Omar Nelson Bradley was a US Army officer who… Read More

Reassertion of British Sovereignty over the Falkland Island (1833)

Introduction In December 1832, two naval vessels were sent by the United Kingdom to re-assert British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas), after the United Provinces of the River Plate (part of which later became Argentina) ignored British diplomatic protests over the appointment of Luis Vernet as governor of the Falkland Islands and… Read More

What was the Second Siege of Zaragoza (1808-1809)?

Introduction The Second Siege of Zaragoza was the French capture of the Spanish city of Zaragoza (also known as Saragossa) during the Peninsular War. It was particularly noted for its brutality. Background As a part of the Dos de Mayo (02 May) uprising the city had already successfully resisted a first siege from 15 June… Read More

What was the Louisiana Purchase (1803)?

Introduction The Louisiana Purchase (French: Vente de la Louisiane ‘Sale of Louisiana’) was the acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from France in 1803. In return for fifteen million dollars, or approximately eighteen dollars per square mile, the United States nominally acquired a total of 828,000 sq mi (2,140,000 km2; 530,000,000… Read More

What was the Great Swamp Fight (1675)?

Introduction The Great Swamp Fight or the Great Swamp Massacre was a crucial battle fought during King Philip’s War between the colonial militia of New England and the Narragansett tribe in December 1675. It was fought near the villages of Kingston and West Kingston in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The combined… Read More

What were the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598)?

Introduction The French Wars of Religion were a prolonged period of war and popular unrest between Catholics and Huguenots (Reformed/Calvinist Protestants) in the Kingdom of France between 1562 and 1598. It is estimated that three million people perished in this period from violence, famine, or disease in what is considered the second deadliest religious war… Read More