Sixty-four years ago today was the date that a little Japanese city by the name of Hiroshima entered the world's consciousness forever. It was on August 6, 1945 that the plane Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb, resulting in the first use of a nuclear weapon in warfare and over 140,000 deaths almost immediate deaths.
It also happens to be the 119th anniversary of the first death penalty executed by electric chair, so today isn't exactly the brightest of days. ]]>
Central America's most serious political crisis in years has Honduras sliding further into instability, and tourists are not surprisingly second-guessing trips to the tiny nation.
Exiled President Manuel Zelaya played at a return to Honduras on Sunday, borrowing a plane from Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and attempting to fly back into Toncontin International Airport in the capital, Tegucigalpa. But as clashes broke out between Zelaya supporters and police, soldiers blocked the runway and the ousted leader decided not to risk a crash landing—perhaps he was aware that even without the demonstrators, TGU is already one of the world's most dangerous airports. ]]>
We bet that there a more than a few of you out there clutching tickets to Honduras, while shaking in your boots over the current military coup situation and wondering whether or not to cancel your vacation. This is why god invented trip insurance, and we recommend that if you have it, now would be the time to cash in on it.
We know that the Honduran Bay Islands are famous for scuba diving with whale sharks, but there's a friggin' military coup playing out back in the capital Tegucigalpa, and we paid enough attention back in junior high history class to know that it means potentially violent demonstrations, soldiers with guns in the streets, and a generally confused and upset populace. These elements, unlike malibu rum and pina colada mix, do not combine to form a perfectly relaxing vacation away. ]]>
· Chicago
All we should have to say to convince you to attend the first weekend of Chicago's Taste of Chicago is "Midwest's Largest Food Festival." Yes, this shindig based around celebrating giant turkey legs, pulled pork sandwiches and vienna dogs incorporates all the greatest indigestion-inducing foods with some of the muggiest days of the year. And it couldn't get any better. Arm yourself with wet naps and head to Grant Park from June 26 through July 5; the busiest days happen right around the Fourth, so this weekend should be some good eating.]]>
Along with the tasty barbeques and popping fireworks of the middle of summer come the re-enactments of historical battles. To help you plan fun excursions to watch guns go off, we're listing our favorite battle re-enactment sites all this week. Any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
Let's be real here for a moment: as we've rounded up all of our favorite military re-enactments this week, we've just been holding out for the one featuring as many tanks as possible, and we think we've found it: The War & Peace Show in Kent, England.
Billed as "The Largest Military Vehicle Spectacular In the World," the War & Peace show gathers all of the green and drab-painted, rocket-launching, all-terrain-running machines out there for four days—July 22-26— of trading wartime tidbits on a farm outside of London. The action doesn't end there however, as parades of both axis and allied re-enactors march by, 1940s fashions walk a runway, 4x4 owners drive an offroad course, and helicopter rides take fair attendees for 10-minute rides over the English countryside.
Really though, all they had to do was say "we've got tanks," and we'd be there.
Related Stories:
· War and Peace Show 2009 [Official Site]
· Historical Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: War and Peace Show]]]>
Along with the tasty barbeques and popping fireworks of the middle of summer come the re-enactments of historical battles. To help you plan fun excursions to watch guns go off, we're listing our favorite battle re-enactment sites all this week. Any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
You don't much more hardcore than driving amphibious DUKW vehicles, setting off pyrotechnics, calling in the British Legion and enlisting more than twenty re-enactment societies to carry out a weekend of World War II encampment outside of Birmingham, UK. Don't worry, there will also be a beer tent at this weekend's "Wartime In the Vale" at Ashdown World War 2 Camp spectacle.
Beginning with a salute flight on Saturday as a memorial to the Battle of Britain, the re-enactments and 1940s festivities hit high gear on Saturday night with live entertainment by "The Forces Sweethearts," a war song singalong, and a burlesque performance by Kitten Von Mew.
If you happen to fly into Birmingham on a European LCC this weekend and have some time to kill, or can make the trip over from London, tickets for the weekend are £6 per adult, or £12 for a whole family. We say drop the kiddies off in the children's area with mini Land Rover rides and make a bee-line for the bomb displays and aforementioned beer tent.
Related Stories:
· Wartime In the Vale: Ashdown WW2 Camp [Official Site]
· Historical Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: BrianTaylor42]]]>
Along with the tasty barbeques and popping fireworks of the middle of summer come the re-enactments of historical battles. To help you plan fun excursions to watch guns go off, we're listing our favorite battle re-enactment sites all this week. Any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
So you've seen a little French & Indian War action and even some Samurai swordplay, but nothing's more prevalent in the Northeast when it comes to re-enacting battles than the Revolutionary War, and Philadelphia has your fix.
When the leaves begin to fall in October, war history buffs will get together in the historical quarter of Philly to re-enact the 1777 Battle of Germantown, the only conflict within city limits. Aside from shooting blanks, there will be eight historic sites to visit where you can interact with locals who love their city's olden days. While there is a fee of $10 to visit all of the spots of the festival, it encompasses traditional residences and a shuttle bus between all points. And let's face it; this re-enactment is fare more convenient to NYC-dwelling folk than the Fort Niagara one.
Related Stories:
· Revolutionary Germantown [Official Site]
· Revolutionary Germantown Festival [GoPhila]
· Historical Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: michael feagan]]]>