The city of Konstanz, Germany was one of the few areas of Germany to emerge unharmed from World War II. While other communities endured devastating bombing by Allied air forces, this beautiful […]
An Illuminating Strategy for Avoiding Destruction
A Kiss on All Four Cheeks
Winston Churchill and Charles De Gaulle had a difficult relationship, at best. Churchill viewed the French general as a spoiled child who always demanded his own way. On one occasion Churchill was […]
From Tyrant Teacher to Despicable Dictator
Benito Mussolini started out as a school teacher. He soon realized he was unsuited for the job. This was no shock to his students, who conferred a nickname upon their teacher: “The […]
A Royal Intervention Stops a Churchill Invasion
Winston Churchill was nothing if not determined. His tenacity and vision guided Great Britain and gave courage to all of the Allied nations at a time when those qualities were desperately needed. […]
The Fearsome Weapon in the War Against Slow-Moving Bunnies
They may seems cute and cuddly, but rabbits have been known to take on such powerful adversaries and Napoleon and Jimmy Carter. Knowing this might make you breathe a sigh of relief […]
Hawaii’s Special Wartime Currency
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States found itself preparing for the unthinkable: what would happen if Hawaii fell under Japanese occupation? One of the […]
After Escaping Cannibals, Dealing With Politicians Was Easy
In September 1944 nine US airmen were shot down over Chichi Jima, a small island 700 miles south of Tokyo, Japan. Of these nine men, only one evaded capture by the Japanese. […]
The Cavalry Charges Into History
Few military maneuvers instill as many thoughts of heroism and daring as the cavalry charge. Rushing at full speed against an onslaught of enemy forces has inspired such poetic works Alfred, Lord […]
Did One Wrong Word Cause the Hiroshima Bombing?
Readers of Commonplace will not be surprised to learn that one little mistranslation from one language to another can be embarrassing. Whether it is one misplaced letter when cheering General Douglas MacArthur, an incompetent […]
Did Dr. Doom Help Design the Atomic Bomb?
Readers of Marvel Comics know that the nefarious Dr. Doom will go to any lengths in his power-hungry desire to conquer the world. It is worth taking a second look, therefore, to […]
The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs
Tsutomu Yamaguchi could tell you stories about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was working for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and on August 6, 1945 his work took him […]
An Island of Gallantry
The George Cross is the second highest award of the United Kingdom’s honors system. It is awarded for gallantry “not in the face of the enemy” to members of the British armed […]
James Doohan — A Hero in the 20th Century as Well as the 23rd
Actor James Doohan (1920-2005) is mostly known for the 23rd century exploits of his character Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek. Less widely known are his heroics in the 20th century — […]
The Devil is in the Details
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was unquestionably experienced when it came to military matters, but in 1952 he was a novice concerning politics. In the midst of his first campaign for the presidency, one […]
Archeologists Should Read Warning Labels
In something that sounds very much like the plot of an Indiana Jones movie, a curse may have been released by the opening of an ancient tomb.
Commonplace Fun Facts 