Operation Mongoose produced numerous plans to overthrow Fidel Castro but almost none of them made it past the planning stage
During the Cold War, Fidel Castro became one of the most closely watched and controversial figures on the international stage. His government in Cuba was…
The German city of Konstanz survived the Second World War’s devastating air raids by tricking the Allies into thinking it was part of Switzerland
Throughout World War II, the threat of aerial bombardment was a persistent reality, with many European cities facing repeated nighttime attacks intended to catch defenders…
As WWII was drawing to a close, the Führer ordered Felix Steiner’s unit to continue attacking but the commander refused
The Waffen-SS served as the military arm of the SS and became a significant component of Germany’s war effort during World War II. In its…
The most famous double agents from the Cold War era
While James Bond exists only in the fictional world created by Ian Fleming, history has produced intelligence operatives whose activities were every bit as complex.…
Pauline Cushman: The stage actress who became a valuable Union spy during the American Civil War
While Pauline Cushman did not attain significant success as an actress, she became known for her work as a Union spy during the Civil War.…
The USS Wake (PR-3) was the only American ship captured by Japanese forces intact
Though not a large warship, the USS Wake (PR-3) earned a distinctive place in naval history. After entering service in 1927, the gunboat passed through…
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman, and other celebrities we didn’t realize served in the military
When looking at well-known figures with military backgrounds, they generally fall into two broad groups. Some are remembered chiefly for their service and wartime achievements,…
Remembering 9/11 and the attacks that changed America forever
For millions around the world, the September 11 attacks remain one of the defining events of the 21st century—an event marked by immense loss, lasting…
Weapons that are so destructive, they have been banned from modern warfare
At first, the idea of outlawing certain weapons can seem paradoxical, since weapons are inherently designed to cause damage. Yet over time, the international community…
A look at all the American presidents who served their country during the Second World War
During World War II, a number of future American presidents stepped away from civilian life to serve in the armed forces, with seven eventually wearing…
Few people know that two aircraft carriers were stationed in the Great Lakes of North America during WWII
During World War II, aircraft carriers fundamentally reshaped naval warfare by allowing air power to strike far beyond the range of land-based aircraft. Yet not…
U.S. Army Rangers confronted a local gang in an intense gunfight on the streets of Tacoma
During the 1980s, the rapid spread of illegal drug trafficking across major American cities fueled a sharp rise in gang activity and street violence. While…