Sunday, June 10, 2007

Hank Aaron


"Trying to throw a fastball by Henry Aaron is like trying to sneak a sunrise past a rooster", was quoted by Curt Simmons. On February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama Hank Aaron, a major league Baseball Hall of Fame player was born. Starting from a young age Hank had a love for baseball. He was the 3rd of 8 children, member of is high school baseball team playing outfield and 3rd base. Aaron lead Negro Ball for the Indianapolis Clowns (1952). He was so good that he was able to play on the Prichard Athletics, a semi-pro team, as their shortstop and third baseman. He was noticed by a scout and signed over to the Mobile Black Bears for $3 per game. His mom would not allow him to travel so he was only allowed to participate in city games.

On June 14, 1952, the Boston Braves acquired Aaron's contract for $10,000, begining a Minor League Baseball career. He then played for the Jacksonville Braves where he was MVP and had a very dominate year.

From 1954-1965 Hank played for the Milwaukee Braves showing his gifted talent, later he then played for the Atlanta Braves (1966-1974) , and ending his career with the Milwaukee Brewers where he played for 2 years. Throughout his career Hank Arron won many awards and had many accomplishments. In 1957 World Series, 1958 World Series, 1969 NLCS Awards: All-Star (25): 1955-1975; National League Most Valuable Player 1957; Gold Glove (3): 1958-1960

His unique style became well known. Hank Aaron became the all-time home run champion, one of the most consistent offensive careers in baseball history. In addition to his 755 home runs, he also holds the major league record for total bases, extra-base hits and RBI(runs batted in). Aaron was named the 1957 National League MVP, won three Gold Gloves for his play in right field and was named to a record 24 All-Star squads.

With Hank Aarons amazing talents and accomplishments he is a role model to many people today. His skill will never be forgotten.

After learning of Hank Aarons career I feel that he deserves all the recognition in the world for his amazing talent.

WWII


A truly world war which lasted from 1939 to 1945. The countries of the world aligned with either the Axis powers or the Allies and battled in a total war. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland which lead to Britain giving Germany the ultimatum for Germany to withdraw from Poland or they will become involved. Germany did not withdraw and Britain got involved, along with the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Shortly after France, South Africa, Canada and Nepal joined in. Later in the war the United States became involved and used air raids which had a huge impact on defeating the Germans. The Holocaust was disturbing racial attack on 6million Jews and minorities during the war conducted by the Axis. This world war was a lot worse then the first world war. It had advanced technology, air craft, bombs and weapons that destroyed 60million lives making it the deadliest conflict in human history. They say that if the 3rd world war were to come our plant will be demolished.
The two super powers, the Americans and the Soviet Union emerged and set the stage for the cold war for the next 40 years. This war changed countries, societies, governments and lives dramatically. Everything was completely involved in the war there was no place for sanity.
This war happened for obvious reasons, I'm happy the Germans were over powered and their government was defeated. Its horrible that so many lives were lost.

WW I


The First World War, originally called the Great War, was "the War to End all Wars". It ranged from 1914-1918. It was a war between the Allied Powers, led by France, Russia, and the United Kingdom from 1917, the United States, defeated the Central Powers, led by Austria-Hungary, Germany and the Ottoman Empire. Italy joined the Allies in 1915. The war took place in Europe's trenches. The war caused changes within the British Empire and the German Empire. The causes of WWI are complicated and are still debated by historians today. WWI caused a lot of damage in many lives, over 9 million soldiers and civilians died. It was supposed to be a peacemaker, that would not be long and were told it would be over by Christmas but ended up lasting 4 years. WWI was a pointless war and it seems that the only reason it ever began was because the population seemed to want a war. It was not worth the deaths of so many innocent people.

Watergate Scandal


U.S.President Richard Nixon resigned due to the huge scandal caused by the break in at the Watergate building. "Watergate" is a term used to describe the scandals of 1972 and 1974. A number of Richard Nixon's administration were involved in "the plumbers unit" which was originally set up to "plug in leaks". The court release of August 1974 of the " smoking gun tape" lead to Nixon's resign of Presidency. A letter, one of the convicted burglars wrote to Sirica discussing the cover up of the Nixon government resulted in a huge scandal which is now referred to as the Watergate Scandal. On June 17, 1972 the police stopped seven men attempting to break in a wiretap Democratic Party office and were later convicted. All seven men were employees of President Nixon's Campaign to Re-elect the President. After the break, many things began to unwind, the existence of a White House dirty tricks squad, an enemies list, a plumbers unit to plug leaks and a secret campaign slush fund related with the CPR (Committee to Re-elect the President) , the people involved were all convicted and served time for their actions. President Richard Nixon was the first and only president to have ever been forced out of Presidency for bad actions. His actions made people aware and more cautious on the line of government. Voters paid close attention to the issues and candidates after this huge scandal.
When your in the government you have a responsibility to protect and do whats right for your people and your country. Nixon's actions were both immature and selfish in the sense of not thinking of this country and his people but only for himself.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Vietnam War


The Vietnam war was a battle between the coalition forces which includes the U.S, the Republic of Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea vs. the coalition forces including the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the National Liberation Front. The war took place between 1964-1975 in the southern Vietnam, bordering areas of Cambodia and Laos, and in bombing runs over North Vietnam. The Republic of Vietnam, U.S and their forces were battling against communism and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and their forces were battling for communism. Even with the Americans, a huge superpower on the South side, the North still managed to pull through and win the war for communism. To this day Vietnam still remains communist. It is a good country, but many still feel would hope for a democratic government. This was a sad battle for the south who tried so hard to fight against communism but in the end thousands and thousands of soldiers died fighting in this war.

Joseph Stalin


Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the Soviet Union for nearly a quarter of a century. His rule is infamous for his use of police terror and the frequent mass murders of his own people. His great leadership for the Soviet Union defeated Germany's Nazi party, during the Great Patriotic War. By burning the Nazis agricultural crops and eliminating a main source of food the Soviet army forced the Nazis to withdraw from WWII. After this attack Joseph Stalin claimed the Soviet Union to be the 2nd super power in the world. In 1953 Joseph Stalin died, but the Soviet Unions power continued for four decades after his death. The leadership of Joseph Stalin during the second world war to force the Nazis to withdraw, had a huge impact on ending the war. It was him who changed the Soviet Union and making it a powerful nation.

Pearl Harbour


On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, bringing the United States into WWII. In a very short time the Japanese destroyed the U.S. fleet Pearl Harbour base. Eighteen months earlier, President Roosevelt had moved the U.S army to Pearl Harbour as a approach to stop the Japanese aggression. During the mid-1937's the Japanese had started a war against China, causing Japan to have little oil and raw materials. In July 1942, Japan and the Western Powers stopped trading, making Japan in desperate need of oil and minerals. 2400 Americans were dead and much of the American air force base around the world was eliminated.
With Japan's attack on the American Pearl Harbour base it caused a great alliance among the American people. I believe that the Japanese had to make a strong attack on the Americans because they were stuck with nothing and had to fight for their country.