November 19

1863 - President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania:  U.S. Civil War.

In less than 300 words, Lincoln delivered the greatest speech in American history - which included the history of the past and hopes for the future of the young American nation...It was a perfect wartime propaganda speech, and at the same time a speech for the ages which will have meaning to every American generation.

The U.S. has three great texts:  The Declaration of Independence (the Anvil of Freedom), the U.S. Constitution (the Forge of Union), and the Gettysburg Address (the monumental statement of the Civil War which proved the Declaration and Constitution would stand.)

Copy of the text:

"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

439 - The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, conquered Carthage in North Africa.

The history of the Vandals is usually forgotten in the post-Roman world, but they controlled North Africa for many years, and weren’t just a crazed group who pillaged Rome...Even though they are forever linked with such by the creation of the term 'vandalism.'

It's also important to realize how important North Africa was to the Western world at this time...Which it remained until it was conquered by the Muslims.

1521 - The Battle of Milan: Emperor Charles V's Spanish, German, and Papal troops beat France and occupied Milan.

Just another day in the world the of 16th century Habsburg-Valois wars for the supremacy of the European continent.

1874 - William Marcy 'Boss' Tweed, of Tammany Hall was convicted of defrauding New York City of $6 million and sentenced to 12-years imprisonment.

This conviction was long overdue for the king of all election fixers.

Tammany Hall was a creation of Aaron Burr (former VP, and overall POS) as a measure to control New York City politics. It was the most successful ‘machine’ in American history and should be held in high regard by every cheating Democrat.

1919 - The U.S. Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles by a vote of 55-39 against, short of the two-thirds majority needed for ratification.

What a mess this treaty created.

1. The League of Nations was every bit as bad as the U.N. is.

2. The French insisted on raping the Germans through reparations.

3. The document was a complete sham, and simply acted as a passing-through point between WWI and WWII.

1942 - Soviet forces began a massive counter-offensive at the Battle of Stalingrad:  WWII.

Stalingrad was one of the most brutal battles in the history of the world, and the turning-point of WWII in the East European Theatre...At the time, the Germans held over 90% of Stalingrad, but the situation was about to turn very quickly, and this offensive was the beginning of the end for the German Army.

It was also the beginning for what became the awesome Soviet Army.

1945 - The Nuremberg War Crimes Trials began (ended October 1, 1946):  WWII.

Many Nazi’s met justice in these trials. That said, it’s too bad more weren’t caught and executed...Luckily the World Court hadn’t been founded at this time or the SOB’s would have been slapped on the wrist and sent on their merry way.

2005 - India and Pakistan opened their disputed border in Kashmir for the first time in 58-years, a temporary measure to allow divided families to check on each other after the region's devastating earthquake.

2006 - India successfully test-fired a medium-range nuclear-capable missile, days after its rival Pakistan launched a similar missile.

No one knows how the situation between India and Pakistan is going to end, but the fact both have nukes with missiles capable of easily reaching each other, as well as religio-cultural systems which are completely contradictory, should lead a logical person to figure it might end poorly.