Cryptologist, Nazis and Illegal Booze

It is not very common to find a person who was actively engaged in both WWII & Prohibition. Elizebeth Friedman is a great historical figure to study due to her valuable roles in both units.

Elizebeth Smith-Friedman

A Cryptologist who fought Nazis and Organized Crime. Her contribution to both conflicts were invaluable.

Would Have Been President

The American Revolution was a success because the Continental Army risked everything.  Patriots such as  George Washington, Paul Revere,  John Adams, Patrick Henry and the Sons of Liberty were brave and courageous. Here is another hero that many do not know about. 

Joseph Warren

Dr. Joseph Warren was a patriot, doctor, and soldier.  His actions and words speak volumes.

Walter Waters

                                                                   Walter Waters

At the end of World War I a Bonus Army of World War I veterans converged on Washington.  They came from all over America seeking their wages.  Textbooks usually mention this event, however, the complete story of the march and events prior to it are usually overlooked.  I encourage social studies teachers to read about the emotional roller coaster that was the Bonus Army March.  It begins with a caravan of hope and ends with a melee.

Walter W. Waters was an inspirational American hero.  In the face of complete defeat, Waters shouted to the crowd: "Sing America!"  Walter W. Waters should be in every textbook!

Morris Rosenfeld: Sweatshop Poetry

Teaching and discussing the conditions of factories is important detail of the Industrial Age.  The poems written by Morris Rosenfeld describes the factory experience with true emotion. Read In The Factory.    Morris Rosenfeld is an unsung muckraker and fits with any conversation of Ida Tarbell, Jacob Riis and Upton Sinclair.  The Jewish Daily Forward, published his poem about the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Triangle Fire Verse.

Excerpt From the poem:

Over whom shall I weep first?

Over the burned ones?

Over those beyond recognition?

Over those who have been crippled?

Or smashed?

I weep for them all.

Louis Tikas

Some of the largest labor protests can be found in the textbooks.  Students often study the Great Railroad Strike,  Haymarket Riot and the Homestead Strike.  Here is another tragic labor revolt in 1914 that is often overlooked.  In the Sangre de Christos Mountains of Colorado,  the Union of Mine Workers organized a large labor strike in 1913.  They fought for safer working conditions and workers rights.  The struggle led to the murder of the union leader Louis Tikas and a massacre of innocent families.  Read about in the Ludlow Article.



                                                       

Smokejumpers

The role of the Tuskegee Airmen and Harlem Hellfighters are well documented.  Their contributions to the war efforts were fantastic.  Thousands of African Americans were involved with these programs.  These soldiers fought with dedication, courage and loyalty.  But, did you know about the Triple Nickles?

The 555th Airborne division was know as the Triple Nickles.  These soldiers faced intense levels of racism, segregation and training.  In 1945,  they were ordered to jump over and fight blazing fires sparked by balloon bombs sent by Japan.  In one year the Triple Nickles answered 36 fire calls and executed well over a thousand individual parachute jumps.  

The 555th Airborne division contribution to WWII was significant.  However the story is rarely  shared.