On January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the requisite number of state governments and became the law of the land ending the manufacture, importation, or distribution of most alcoholic beverages. For the next thirteen years, this country went officially dry, but what actually happened as a consequence of […]
WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE IN THE U.S. DURING PROHIBITION? Read More »
For centuries European seafarers have been looking for a short, safe way to sail merchant ships to Asian ports in order to capitalize on the lucrative trade possibilities. The North and South American continents soon had their own trading possibilities, but to get to the big prize, these continents had to be circumnavigated. To sail
THE STORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL Read More »
This is the third in a series of blogs regarding private foreign investment in Chinese companies. Efforts are underway in Beijing to stimulate the Chinese economy to return it to its former levels of growth. Ordinarily this would provide potentially outstanding opportunities for foreign investors, but there are a number of pitfalls remaining that should
IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO INVEST IN CHINA: PART III Read More »
In December of 1901, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm by the Nobel Foundation. The awards were intended for the betterment of mankind, although the source of the funding originated in the manufacture and sale of war materiel. The following is the story of how these prestigious awards came into being. Alfred Nobel:
HOW DID THE NOBEL PRIZE COME ABOUT? Read More »
On December 5, 1945, a flight of five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo bombers took off from their base in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on a training mission that was to include practice bombing runs and aerial navigation over open sea. The weather was clear and the sea moderate to choppy. The afternoon flight left the Ft.
WHAT HAPPENED TO FLIGHT 19 LOST IN THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE? Read More »
Fist-pounding arguments, vitriolic debates, name calling, public disturbances, and an assault by an armed mob have all been a part of the history of the U.S. Congress. Prior to the Civil War the acrimony was especially acute dividing the country into two major camps that led to war. In more recent times the rules of
VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS Read More »
During the period from November, 1926, to June, 1985, famous U.S. Route 66 was the primary highway corridor from the Midwestern U.S. to the Pacific Coast. It began in Chicago near Grant Park, crossed through eight states, transversed 2,448 miles, and ended at the pier in Santa Monica, California. It was the subject of pop
HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN ON ROUTE 66? Read More »
Although the Federal Reserve has said that it will leave the door open for more interest rate hikes should rampant inflation revive, the interest rate tightening cycle is nearly complete. The rampant inflation factor in the economy has been checked for now, but how soon will interest rates be reduced? Too Low Too Long: Since
INTEREST RATES ARE LEVELING OFF, BUT WHEN WILL THEY DECREASE? Read More »
The year 2023 has officially become the hottest year on record, and it is worth taking a look at how the greenhouse effect and the growth of population and fossil fuel consumption in particular has contributed to where we are today with global warming. Origins: The study of climate change dates as far back as
CLIMATE CHANGE DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1824 Read More »
One of history’s greatest sculptors performed one of the finest artistic projects of all time by putting his mallet and chisel down in favor of a paint brush. The artist was Michelangelo, the project was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. About the Sistine Chapel: Called the Cappella Maggiore, the first structure was
MICHELANGELO’S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: THE SISTINE CHAPEL Read More »