Amelia Earhart: One step closer solving the mystery?

It was announced a couple of days ago that they may e one step closer in figuring out what happened to Amelia Earhart on that fateful day in 1937. She was supposed to refuel on the barely visible and inhabitable, Howard Island on her journey to fly around the world. However, she never arrived and no one every heard from her again. What may have aided in helping figure out the truth? Dr.C.H. Berry's Freckle Cream. Yup, that's right...face cream. Anyone who makes fun of us ladies for packing nearly everything including face cream while traveling should be wise not to do that again! A jar that had been broken into five pieces was discovered on Nikumaroro Island. This island has been explored for many years as the possible final location of Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan. the discovery of various animal bones and even some possible human remains have been found. In addition to cosmetics, men and women's clothing and a various amount of other things that leads researchers to believe that Earhart and Noonan successfully landed the plane after they missed Howard Island and were running low on fuel. What happened after that is too sad to think about: dying on a deserted island with only the things that could be salvaged from the plan before it sank into the Pacific. It has not been 100% confirmed that it was in fact a Dr. C.H. Berry's Freckle Cream jar since the jars they came in during that time were white and the one that was discovered on the island was clear, though they had the same shape. Perhaps it would be safe to presume the elements of 70+ years had faded the color. Either way, a research team will be heading to Nikumaroro Island next month to do several dives as well as several submarine dives to see if they can locate Earhart's plane.

For more information on this news article click here, here, or here.


For information on Amelia Earhart click here.

HFOTD: 29 May 1798

On this day in history in 1798 nearly 500 United Irishmen are killed in a conflict against the British in County Kildare. This is one of the many battles the United Irishmen fought during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The rebellion lasted from May until September. The United Irishmen who rebelled were influenced by the French and American revolutions, the latter having won against the British only a few short years before.

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! I hope we all can put aside the great shopping deals, the hot dogs, and copious amounts of liquor to remember the true meaning of this day: honoring and remembering those that sacrificed themselves so we could have freedoms that other countries cannot. Thank a serviceman or woman for their sacrifice. History is full of men and women who sacrificed their lives to do the right thing or to protect our freedoms and we only remember a small percentage of them. Today is their day...to remember them. So take a few minutes to memorialize the today...

....then crack open a beer (or several), turn on BAND OF BROTHERS (on SpikeTV), eat a hot dog, and go find some deals(I hear Kohls is having a sale...Hah)!

BBC premier's documentary: Hitler's Children

The BBC premiered their new documentary this week in England entitled "Hitler's Children". Their last names make us shudder: Goering, Hoess, Goeth, Frank. These men committed numerous acts of violence against the people of Europe and the world. The BBC takes a look at the lives of their children. What has their Fathers' legacy left them? Denial for some, not wanting to forget for others. Monika Hertwig, the daughter of the animalistic, sadistic Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszow Concentration Camp and depicted in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List did not know what her Father had done until she was nearly a teenager. She has since tried to learn more about the Holocaust and even travelled back to where Plaszow once stood just outside of Krakow, Poland and met with several survivors. Then there is Niklas Frank, the youngest child of Hans Frank, who at one time held the title of Governor-General of Poland. He has written a book and travels around speaking to students on his Father and the evil that came with him and his colleagues. He understands that people are sick of being reminded of the Holocaust and of the atrocities committed by Hitler, his Father, and their friends, but Niklas is determined to educate. Education seems to play a big role for the children of Nazi leaders. They felt lied to since many were not the man they were accused of being when they were at home. Others understand that their Fathers were rotten to the core.

It is a riveting and emotional journey that is sure to leave those that want to hate them for who their Fathers were, sympathizing with the life that many have had to face.


To watch a clip of the documentary click here. Or for articles from the BBC and The Telegraph about the documentary click here or here.

HFOTD: 28 May 1940

On this day in 1940,  the eighteen day war that the Germans fought with the Belgian army came to a close when the Belgians surrendered. The Battle of Belgium marked a milestone in the early stages of the war when both sides would engage in a tank battle. The little ground that the Allies had been able to secure in Europe was quickly broken and they, especially the British retreated. Belgium would play a large role towards the end of the war in December 1944 when the American and German armies would face off in the Ardennes, the outcome of the Battle of the Bulge would determine whether or not the Germans would regain their hypothetical footing. In the end the Americans were victorious and five months later the war in Europe would be over.

To view a German newsreel depicting the Battle of Belgium click here.

Tourist Sieg Heil's at Auschwitz

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that a tourist gave the Nazi salute at Auschwitz...last week? Dumbass. Second thing? Ignorance. It was reported last week that two tourists were seen on security camera walking up to the entrance of the notorious death camp and giving the Nazi salute to the "arbeit macht frei" sign that hangs over the entrance to the camp. The offending tourists were kicked out of the museum and the police have gotten involved. Here's a little known fact for all of you "comedians" and skinheads from other countries: in Poland, such activities and any act of fascism can have you facing up to two years in prison for each offense. Let's all be adults here, people. You don't see us going to visit Hitler's precious Eagle's Nest and peeing on it do you? Gosh, you'd think after seventy years people would have more respect, even if they did not fully appreciate or belief the history that took place in a place like Auschwitz.

Click here for the article from Polska Radio.

Mein Kampf-- is Germany REALLY ready to have it released countrywide?

It was announced this week via German news source, DER SPIEGEL, that the banned work of ex-dictator Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, would be released to the German public. One German historian went so far as to say a way of describing the reasons to the rest of the world were that they were disarming the fuse of Mein Kampf's bomb. The Historian continues that it is a great source of understanding and studying Hitler's future policies that would become notorious when he became chancellor in 1933. Yes, I'm sure we're all quite aware of his policies by this point. I can understand wanting to release the book for scholarly research and students studying Hitler's agenda during his reign, but why fully release it to the public? In a world where anti-Semitism and Neo-Nazi movements are on the rise, not just in Germany, but all over the world, why add flame to the already billowing fire?

This book, which was once given out to every newly wed German couple, acted as a great propaganda tool for anyone who could stay awake to read it. Hitler, who may have thought he sounded like a great and powerful potential leader was probably one of the driest writers of the 20th century. Perhaps that is why the world was taken by surprise when Hitler slowly snuck that whole killing people who didn't agree with him or were different then his idea of the perfect 'Aryan', because no one could last more than a couple of pages without needing several pots of strong coffee or a good stimulant, like meth (der fuehrer's stimulant of choice). It is confusing to understand why now is the perfect time to release Mein Kampf now and five months ago when a publishing house wanted to publish it the German court system banned the distribution for at least thirty-six months. What has changed in that short amount of time?

To read the the Der Spiel article click here, to read the CNN article about continuing the ban click here, or to read an excerpt from Mein Kampf click here.