History in 5 Minutes or less

Military, World War II

The Final Voyage: The Secret Mission of the USS Indianapolis

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

December 11, 2024

It was a clear crisp morning on July 16, 1945 and the sleek USS Indianapolis sat at anchor, in the calm Pacific sun. Its crew of 1,196 sailors and Marines went about their routines, unaware that their vessel was about to embark on a mission shrouded in secrecy. In the…
Continue reading →: The Final Voyage: The Secret Mission of the USS Indianapolis
American Revolutiuon, Military

Baron von Steuben: Father of the American Military

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

December 7, 2024

In 1777, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian officer, transformed the struggling Continental Army at Valley Forge into a disciplined fighting force. His creation of the “Blue Book” established vital training protocols, contributing to American military success. His legacy as a foundational figure endures in U.S. military tactics and…
Continue reading →: Baron von Steuben: Father of the American Military
Military, World War II

The Patton Slapping Incident: A Major Controversy

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

November 30, 2024

It is August 1943; the Allies have defeated the Germans in North Africa and have advanced into Sicily, Italy. The commander of the US forces is George S. Patton. Patton was given command in North Africa in March 1943 by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, replacing the ineffective General Lloyd Fredendall*. …
Continue reading →: The Patton Slapping Incident: A Major Controversy
Military, Spanish American War

The Sinking of USS Maine: A Prelude to War

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

November 20, 2024

It is mid-February 1898, a quiet and calm evening in the Harbor of Havana. It’s a typical Tuesday evening for the crew of USS Maine where the ongoing mission is to protect American interests in Cuba. At approximately 9:40pm, and out of nowhere a loud explosion is heard by everyone…
Continue reading →: The Sinking of USS Maine: A Prelude to War
US Presidents

Dr. Mudd Conspirator or Good Samaritan?

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

November 12, 2024

On the night of April 14, 1865, a tall, slender man with jet-black hair quietly slipped into the back of a theater box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Inside, President Abraham Lincoln was enjoying a play. The man, actor John Wilkes Booth, was a Confederate sympathizer who had devised…
Continue reading →: Dr. Mudd Conspirator or Good Samaritan?
Early 20th Century

Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

May 9, 2024

The Tragic Event: March 25, 1911The Triangle Shirtwaist Company was located on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors of the Asch Building in Manhattan, and it employed around 500 workers, primarily young immigrant women. These workers were crammed into small, poorly ventilated spaces and worked long hours (12-hour days, 7…
Continue reading →: Remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy
Wild West

Black Bart’s Legacy: The Polite Stagecoach Robber of the Wild West

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

April 25, 2024

The story of Black Bart, or Charles E. Boles (later known as CE Bolton), is one of the most enduring legends of the American West—one that blends elements of mystery, crime, and even a touch of humor, thanks to his polite demeanor and poetic flair. His career as a stagecoach…
Continue reading →: Black Bart’s Legacy: The Polite Stagecoach Robber of the Wild West
Pirates

Black Sam Bellamy: Pirate Legend and Tragedy

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

April 11, 2024

The Tragic Tale of Black Sam BellamyThe year is 1715, and a young, ambitious sailor named Sam Bellamy has just landed in Cape Cod. Little does he know, he is about to become the wealthiest pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy. Born in Great Britain and with experience as…
Continue reading →: Black Sam Bellamy: Pirate Legend and Tragedy
Military, World War II

Operation Fortitude: Deception That Changed WWII

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

March 29, 2024

It is late 1943, the big three of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin are set to meet for the first time in Tehran, Iran. The objective is to discuss the next stages of the war against Germany and Japan. In Early 1943, the Russians had secured a major victory halting the…
Continue reading →: Operation Fortitude: Deception That Changed WWII
Military, World War II

The Untold Story of Castle Itter’s WWII Alliance

Published by

Aaron Rodney

on

March 21, 2024

In May 1945, as WWII neared its end, a unique alliance formed at Castle Itter, where American forces, disillusioned German soldiers, and French prisoners united against the advancing Waffen-SS. Despite being outnumbered, they successfully defended the castle, marking a rare cooperation among former enemies just days before Germany’s surrender.
Continue reading →: The Untold Story of Castle Itter’s WWII Alliance