History in 5 Minutes or less

Mexican American War

The Alamo: A Defiant Stand for Texas Independence

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Aaron Rodney

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March 10, 2025

In 1836, fewer than 200 Texian rebels defended the Alamo against Santa Anna’s 6,000-strong Mexican army. After a 13-day siege, the fortress fell in a brutal final assault. Though all defenders were killed, their sacrifice inspired the rallying cry “Remember the Alamo!” and fueled Texas’ fight for independence.
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Movies, Wild West

Tombstone: 5 Things It Got Right & 5 Things It Got Wrong

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Aaron Rodney

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March 9, 2025

The film Tombstone, featuring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, presents a compelling portrayal of the Old West, highlighting the Earp brothers’ conflict with the Cowboys. While the movie accurately depicts the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and character traits, it also takes liberties with events and details, blending fact with…
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American Revolutiuon, Duels

The Burr-Hamilton Duel: A Clash of Ambition

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Aaron Rodney

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March 6, 2025

In July 1804, longstanding political rivals Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton dueled in Weehawken. Following a personal slight, Burr fatally shot Hamilton, who died the next day. Hamilton’s legacy as a founding figure endured, while Burr became a political pariah, remembered more for the duel than his own achievements.
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Civil War, Military

Sherman’s March to the Sea: Fire, Steel, and Thunder

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Aaron Rodney

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March 3, 2025

In November 1864, Major General Sherman led a devastating campaign through Georgia, targeting the South’s heartland to weaken its resolve. With 60,000 Union troops, he destroyed railroads and towns, culminating in the capture of Savannah. This controversial strategy shifted the war’s dynamics, leaving lasting scars and showcasing the power of…
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Civil War, Military, US Presidents

The Remarkable Rise of General Ulysses S. Grant

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Aaron Rodney

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February 27, 2025

Before the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant faced personal and professional failures. However, with the onset of war, his leadership emerged. Despite setbacks, he secured crucial victories and earned the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant. Lincoln recognized his determination, leading to his promotion and eventual victory at Appomattox, saving the Union.
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World War II

Operation Finale: How Mossad Captured Eichmann in Argentina

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Aaron Rodney

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February 24, 2025

In May 1960, Adolf Eichmann, a key architect of the Holocaust, was captured in Buenos Aires after evading justice for over a decade. Mossad operatives executed a meticulously planned mission, leading to his trial in 1961, where he was convicted of crimes against humanity and ultimately executed in 1962. This…
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Military, World War II

The Final Days of Hideki Tojo: Arrest and Legacy

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Aaron Rodney

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February 20, 2025

On September 2, 1945, Japan’s surrender marked the end of World War II. Hideki Tojo, the former Prime Minister, attempted suicide days later as American forces sought his capture. After failing to die, he was treated and later tried for war crimes, resulting in his execution in 1948, symbolizing Japan’s…
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Military, World War II

How Rommel Resisted Hitler and Chose His Fate

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Aaron Rodney

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February 17, 2025

In the summer of 1944, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel struggled with his disillusionment towards Hitler’s rule amid the collapsing Nazi regime. Involved in the Operation Valkyrie conspiracy to assassinate Hitler, he faced a moral crisis. After the failed coup, Rommel chose to end his life rather than face treason charges,…
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Wild West

The Betrayal of Jesse James: A Tale of Loyalty and Treachery

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Aaron Rodney

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February 13, 2025

Jesse James had spent years eluding the law, robbing trains, banks, and stagecoaches. To some, he was a ruthless outlaw, to others, a modern-day Robin Hood. By 1882, Jesse was weary of the life he had carved out with his gang, and the pressure from law enforcement was closing in.…
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Wild West

The Lincoln County War: Billy the Kid’s Revenge

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Aaron Rodney

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February 10, 2025

Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty in 1859, became a legendary figure of the American West amid the chaotic Lincoln County War. A young hired hand seeking vengeance for his employer John Tunstall’s murder, he led the Regulators against corrupt rancher Lawrence Murphy’s forces. His life ended in 1881, cementing…
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