Since we looked at two iconic swords from history this month and one firearm, I thought it appropriate to look at another firearm in keeping with his month’s theme. That firearm we will explore today is the famous M1 Garand. Known officially as the “United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1,” the M1 Garand is oneContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: The M1 Garand”
Category Archives: History and Origins
Iconic Weapons: History of the Longsword
The longsword is such a classic and iconic symbol that it is used as a generic model for a sword in numerous different mediums of art and culture. Technically, the distinction between the classic “longsword” design and other types of swords such as the arming sword and “shortsword” may be a matter of blade lenght,Continue reading “Iconic Weapons: History of the Longsword”
Iconic Weapons: Brown Bess
The “Brown Bess” was the common name for the Land Pattern Musket, as well as other flintlock muskets in the same family. It was the weapon of choice of both the British Army and the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and was also prominently used in other significant conflicts such as the TexasContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: Brown Bess”
Iconic Weapons: History of the Katana
This month, we will be following the theme of looking at iconic weapons from throughout human history, starting with the katana. This legendry sword design comes from Japan and is renowned as one of the most effective cutting tools ever made. The iconic sword features a curved, single-edged blade with a small guard. The wordContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: History of the Katana”
Thomas Paine’s Unceremonious Ending and Enduring Legacy
Not every hero from history has a glorious end where they are remembered fondly and held up for the contributions they made to history. Sadly, this was the case with Thomas Paine. Despite his importance to American history, and indeed, human history as a whole, his later years in life were marred by imprisonment, betrayal,Continue reading “Thomas Paine’s Unceremonious Ending and Enduring Legacy”
The Battle of Bunker Hill
When I was a child, I remember one of the picture books my father shared with me told the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was an inspirational story of courage and heroism. Reading it, I felt moved by the tales of bravery, self-sacrifice, and standing against impossible odds. This week, I decided to revisit thatContinue reading “The Battle of Bunker Hill”
Haiku: Useful as a Meditative Aid
As mentioned in this month’s first post, haiku was popular with the Japanese samurai. They were a very literate society and they used haiku not only to express their creativity and love for art, but also to calm themselves before battle. I have stated before that I normally write poetry in the ABAB format, thoughContinue reading “Haiku: Useful as a Meditative Aid”
What Is a Warrior Poet?
What exactly is a warrior poet? Most people probably point to the Knights Templar or Japanese samurai as examples of this virute. I suppose the exact meaning of such a concept may be individually determined by each who identifies as such. Nevertheless, there should be some commonalities between the definitions offered by all those whoContinue reading “What Is a Warrior Poet?”
Warriors and Artists: Poetry of the Samurai
I am sure many, if not all of us have heard stories of the famous Japanese samurai. This class of renowned warriors was prominent for nearly a thousand years in Japan’s history. The first samurai were said to have emerged in the 1100’s and continued to exist up until 1835. They often served at theContinue reading “Warriors and Artists: Poetry of the Samurai”
History of the Phrase “Come and Take It” and the Gonzales Flag
“Come and take it” is a common phrase used throughout history in multiple different languages and cultures as an expression of defiance against injustice, threats, intimidation, tyranny, and authoritarianism. Some claim King Leonidas I of Sparta made the expression in an exchange with King Xerxes of Persia at the Battle of Thermopylae. It is commonlyContinue reading “History of the Phrase “Come and Take It” and the Gonzales Flag”
The Pensive Warrior 