Battleship

Several years ago we took a family vacation to see my brother-in-law and his family in Mobile Alabama. While we were there, we visited the science center, the beach, and Dauphin Island. However, my favorite stop was the USS Alabama Memorial Park.

You see I'm a bit of a WWII buff. So for me, getting to set foot on a piece of history like that, well let's just say I had a bit of a nerdgasim. In addition to the battleship, the park also has a submarine, multiple aircraft (Including an SR71 Blackbird), and tanks. Oh and a B52 bomber... Sorry just about had another nerdgasim.

In addition to being just plain cool all by itself, the USS Alabama was also used in the film Under Siege with Steven Seagal.

I can't impart to you how incredible it is to walk onto such an impressive vessel. To see the 16 inch guns up close. To sit in the gunners chair. To stand on the bridge. It's overwhelming. My son was about five years old when we toured the Alabama. I have a picture of him hugging a 16 inch shell from one of the main guns. He can't even get his arms around the projectile and it stood almost two feet taller than him at the time.

Anyway, my point is, if you like history (WWII history in particular), you should try to make time to go see the USS Alabama if you're in the area. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Here is some info on her history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Alabama_(BB-60)

Here is the parks web site:
http://www.ussalabama.com

I leave you with this picture of the park -

Awesome... I know

-Red

www.jeffjake.com

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Twitter @MortisG187

1913 vs 2013 - What was going on 100 years ago?

As we embark on a new year, I thought it would be neat to look back 100 years. I was surprised at some of the historical events that took place a hundred years ago. Here are just a few of them for your review.....

• New York cities Grand Central Terminal, having been rebuilt, reopens as the largest railroad station in the world.
• 16th amendment to the U.S. constitution is ratified, authorizing the federal government to impose and collect taxes. (Bummer)
• 17th amendment to the U.S. constitution is ratified, dictating the direct election of senators
• June 11th - The battle of Bud Bagsak takes place. (Click here for more info on this event)
• July 10th - Death Valley California hits 134 degrees Fahrenheit, highest temperature recorded in the world. (as of 2012)
• Invention of stainless steel
• HMS Queen Elizabeth launches as the first oil fired battleship
• The Federal Reserve System is created as the central banking system of the United States with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act.
• Ford Motor Company introduces the first moving assembly line. Reducing the time to produce a chassis from 12 1/2 hours to 2 hours and 40 minutes.

These are just a few of the ones that caught my interest. You can click here, to see more.

I hope that you all have a happy new year.

-Red

You can stay connected with Jeff at:
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Spartacus

I'm not just a nerd that loves science fiction and cool gadgets. I also like history. Specifically, ancient Rome and World War II history. I'm always poking around looking up stuff that strikes my fancy. Well today I was kicking around the myth of Spartacus. Come to find out... He ain't no myth. I was shocked to find out that he was in fact a real person.

Turns out he was a gladiator that lead a slave revolt against the Romans in or around 70 BCE. At one point he actually commanded some 70,000 men. The conflict was called the Third Servile War. His main camp was around Mount Vesuvius. He was finally bested by the forces of Marcus Licinius Crassus in 71 BCE. Six thousand of Spartacus's men were captured and crucified, their bodies lining the Appian Way from Rome to Capua.

It makes a person wonder how many legends actually have true origins.

You can read more about Spartacus here.

-Red


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