This Day in History March 27, 1844

So, does anyone know who this is?  It is the anniversary of his birthday.  It was on this date in 1844 that Adolphus Greely was born.  And just who was he?  He was a Polar explorer and an officer in the army.  He even received the Medal of Honor.  And, are you ready for this?  He was an American!  You mean someone was well-respected and an American?  How rare that is in this day and age.  Then again, respect is hard to come by in this world.

He was  Massachusetts native who entered the army at the age of 17 (after being rejected twice).  He served as a volunteer in the Civil War, but most of his army career was with the Signal Corps (joined in 1869).  His career was not without difficulties.  There were only six survivors of his army Arctic expedition, and his leadership was called into question.  The expedition did result in some wonderful Canadian and Greenland explorations, and he finally was cleared of any wrongdoing.

He retired from the army in 1908, but he was not done with his contributions to society.  He was a founding member of the National Geographic Society.  He received a belated Congressional Medal of Honor at the age of 95.  He died October 20, 1935, and he has been commemorated with a postage stamp in 1986.

Okay, so I hadn't heard of him before either.  That is one of the reasons I continue to do these features.  I continue to learn, and I hope my wonderful readers do, too.

For much more information, check out:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/244850/Adolphus-Washington-Greely
http://www.ekkane.org/Biographies/BioGreely.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/adolphus-greely
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/awgreely.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphus_Greely

Map Quest Infographic

Music Video "Rise" for Disneynature's Chimpanzee

The newly released music video “Rise” from the McClain Sisters for Disneynature’s CHIMPANZEE is now available on YouTube.  Be sure to check it out!

TigTagz Safety Shirts Promotion

Remember my review of TigTagz wristbands?  Well, this site has launched an incredible, new product.

Yes, it is the TigTagz Safety Shirt!  I will tell you that these look amazing.  And so cute.  I am certain my daughter would be quite loathe to wear them (she is almost 9), but if she had been younger, I would jump at these.  They are $16.99, and if you buy them in a 3-pack, you get a discount.  You can order them personalized or blank (and write the info with a black Sharpie).

In addition to the dog, you can choose the train

and the princess.

These shirts are available in 2T, 3T, 4T, and youth small.  Actually, that lets my daughter off the hook.  She is too big for them.

Now if only they would create one for adults for when we lose our minds in the company of kids!  Perhaps it could say "If my brain is lost, check under my left sleeve."  What do you think?  If only it were that easy!

Anyway, this company is definitely growing, and I recommend checking them out!

This Day in History March 26, 1872

Have you ever heard of the devastating earthquake that rocked Owens Valley, California?  I have to admit that I had not.  It was on this date in 1872 that an earthquake was felt from Mexico to Oregon, and 30 people were killed as a result.

More thank likely you have heard of the San Andreas Fault in California, and at 2:30 A.M. that morning, the majority of the people in Lone Pine, California were asleep.  Fifty-two of the fifty-nine homes were destroyed, and 27 people were killed.  The ground moved a full seven feet.  The estimated magnitude was 7.8.

People as far away as Tijuana, Mexico, San Diego, and Nevada.  One of the most famous accounts of the earthquake came from John Muir who was instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park.
He saw the destruction of the natural landmark Eagle Rock. You can read his account by visiting this site

.When traveling U.S. 395 through Lone Pine, you can also see the above monument which is a grave for the casualties of this quake.

For more information, please check out these other sites as well:
http://therealdesertdogs.com/blog/1872-earthquake-victims/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1872_03_26.php

Meal Plan Monday (3/25-4/1)

All right, if you normally follow my blog, you will notice I have not posted a meal plan in a couple weeks.  Due to domestic issues, dinner was severely disrupted.  In an attempt to go back to routine, I am posting again.  I did something different.  I decided to plan meals via twitter.  So here goes:

Meal 1:  Stuffed Zucchini with Oregano and Parmesan

Buttered Noodles

Meal 2:
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches With Classic Southern Slaw

Baked Beans
Creamed Corn

Meal 3:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Hot Dogs
Veggies

Meal 4:
Layered Leftover Mexican Casserole

There you have it.  Thanks twitter!

This Day in History March 25, 1879

"The greatest of the fighting Cheyenne," Little Wolf surrendered to his friend Lieutenant W.P. Clark on this date in 1879.  Little Wolf was the chief of the Bowstring Soldiers, and he was indeed a fine a soldier.  He found against the Comanche and the Kiowa in his native Montana.

There is a lot of sketchy information about his roles in major Indian battles, but most historians believe that he was involved in both the Fetterman Massacre of 1866 (80 American soldiers were killed) and the Battle of Little Bighorn (1876).

In 1877, he and his people were sent to a reservation.  In 1878, he and his people decided to leave the reservation--as so many chose to do.  It was then on this date in 1879 that he surrendered.  His people were tired, and his old-time friend convinced him.

Upon returning to the reservation, he did act as a scout for a short time.  However, he was disgraced amongst his people when he killed one of his tribesman.

I often feel that the plight of Native Americans is overlooked by history.  While we cannot go back and redo what was done to the Native Americans, I still believe that the way the situation was handled in history was wrong.  I am ashamed of my race because of the way we treated them just like I am ashamed of how we treated African Americans and other races in this country.

For more information, please check out these sites:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cheyenne-chief-little-wolf-surrenders
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3883.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Wolf
http://scienceviews.com/indian/littlewolf.html