History

Refine Search

What were the reasons for the Bataan March?

In April 1942, the United States surrendered the Bataan Peninsula on the main Philippine island of Luzon to the victorious Japanese. What ensued was a forced 65-mile march. The intense heat and harsh treatment by Japanese guards led to casualties. It is estimated that about 2,500 to 10,000 Filipino and 100 to 650 American POWs died during the arduous march. General Douglas MacArthur pledged to return to the Philippines, and he did, recapturing the Bataan Peninsula in February 1945 and liberating Manila in March of that year.

Continue Reading

Who are some of the longest living presidents?

Gerald Ford remains the longest-lived president. He was 93 years old when he passed away in December 2006. He outlived his 1976 Republican rival Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004, by 45 days.\nFormer president George H. W. Bush is third on the list. If he lives through November 2017, however, he will overtake both Ford and Reagan. Also still living is Jimmy Carter, fourth oldest and 111 days younger than Bush.

Continue Reading

Did Sir Isaac Newton have any brothers or sisters?

According to the University of St. Andrews, Isaac Newton did not have a pleasant childhood. He was raised by his grandmother until he was about 10 years old and was treated as an orphan, even though his mother was still alive. Newton did not like his stepfather, who died when Newton was 10 years old. After his stepfather's death, Newton lived in an extended family consisting of his mother, grandmother, half-brother and half-sisters. He boarded with another family while he attended school.

Continue Reading

Why did Great Plains farmers migrate to California in the 1930s?

In the 1920s, favorable weather, plentiful rainfall and new technology such as gasoline-powered tractors produced bumper crops of wheat on the Great Plains of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado. However, farmers gave little consideration to the prairie grass that secured the topsoil, which they decimated by deep plowing. When the first of several droughts came in the early 1930s, strong winds blew the topsoil off the land. Up to 100 million acres of land were affected by the disaster. The area became oppressed by immense dust storms known as black blizzards. Crops failed, cattle ..

Continue Reading

Who was President during the Korean war?

The surprise attack that occurred on June 25th, 1950, was massive and believed to be due to the growth of strength that was happening in the southern region despite armed uprisings in the 1940s that called for unification of the two parts of Korea. Once committed to supporting South Korea in its efforts to maintain its republic, Truman named General MacArthur to head the United Nations Command. The first few months of the battle were characterized by both sides advancing and retreating multiple times up and down the peninsula. In October of 1950, the United States government urged the United N..

Continue Reading

What did Puritans believe?

The basis of their religious belief was a focus on the sovereignty and righteousness of God, which was a little different than the Catholic belief that priests were more important and holier than the rest. Moreover, Puritans preferred the Old Testament as the basis of their beliefs.

Continue Reading

What are some of Stephen Hawking's accomplishments?

His best-known research accomplishment is his theory of Hawking radiation concerning the nature of energy in black holes. He concludes that eventually all the mass-energy inside a black hole evaporates. With Sir Roger Penrose, Hawking showed that Einstein’s theory of relativity implies that the space and time that began with the Big Bang and is set to end in black holes. Hawking also theorizes that the universe has no boundary or edge.\nThe recipient of 12 honorary degrees, Hawking was awarded the title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in 1982 and was made..

Continue Reading

What were the reasons for the fall of the Han Dynasty?

Internally, the Han Dynasty started to fall apart when it was ruled by emperors who ruled for their own amusement. The quest for power among scholars and generals led to massacres within the palace.\nThe economy took a downward spiral when tax revenue hit a low point. The scholars had ruled themselves exempt from taxation, and peasants evaded tax collectors by running into the countryside. The lack of tax money led to a depleted military fund.\nWith a weakened military budget, the army was not well equipped to defend itself against outside threats. Raids by nomadic peoples, such as the Mongols..

Continue Reading

How did geography spur industrialization in the Northeast?

The potential for geographic expansion in the Northeastern United States, and throughout the country, was a primary factor in the success of the young nation. Factory, mine and mill owners had no trouble locating land for construction and expansion. Samuel Slater was the first to build English-style textiles mills in America in 1790. Slater's mill in Pawtuckett, Rhode Island, like many other factories, relied on running water to power the large machines housed within.\nWhile the spread of steam-powered technology later decreased the reliance on running water for power, waterways continued..

Continue Reading

How did a pharaoh live?

Pharaohs lived in large luxurious palaces. They were waited on by their servants from the moment they woke up till when they went to sleep. These servants bathed the Pharaoh, dressed him, fed him, and even carried him to where he needed to go.\nA normal day for a pharaoh could consist of meetings with diplomats and merchants, or the Pharaoh might have to lead religious rites. He made the big decisions on trade agreements and public works projects. He would refer to his advisers which could consist of priests and royal officials.\nPharaohs were responsible for military matters as well. They lis..

Continue Reading
Showing 541 to 550 of 8554 (856 Pages)