What are your favorite moments/figures in history?

[Venom75]

I guess the title says it all. What moments,time periods,politicians or people in history do you love or are most fascinated by? I have always been a student of history,and love studying the past.

For me,I have 2 main historical obsessions. My first is Adolf Hitler. It's difficult to explain this to people. I'm not a Nazi,but I'm obsessed with the man. He is,in my opinion the most interesting and fascinating man is all of history. I would actually love to sit down with him and ask him dozens of questions. I don't approve of his actions,but I do consider him probably the best public speaker of all time,and one of the greatest politicians of the 20th century. And I guess that although he is my main focus,you could also included the rise of fall of the Third Reich and World War 2 itself as subtopics to my obsession,since all 3 topics are related.
My second favorite(sorry,I don't know what other word to use)historical obsession/moment are the attacks of September 11,2001. I remember where I was that day and how tragic those events were that it just kinda scarred me for life,I guess. Just like with Hitler,I read and watch everything I can on the attacks. I think that unfortunetly as time passes the memories fade,but they have remained with me all these years. It actually saddens me that 9/11 has just become just another day on the calender. An important day,no doubt,but another day nonetheless. In fact,although I was nowhere near NY or Washington at the time,everytime I hear sirens or a plane overhead I think of 9/11. The victims and the events are never far from my thoughts,neither is the thought of terrorism.

Some of my other favorite,or most fascinating historical events/people are...

George W. Bush
The sinking of the Titanic
The NJ shore sharks attacks of 1916

 

[SV Fan]

For me,I have 2 main historical obsessions. My first is Adolf Hitler. It's difficult to explain this to people. I'm not a Nazi,but I'm obsessed with the man. He is,in my opinion the most interesting and fascinating man is all of history.

I would say he is the 2nd most interesting man in the world, #1 of coarse being

 

[Victarion]

I have read a couple of fantasy novels that sparked my interest in the French Revolution and the Thirty Year War of Europe. Those would be the ones I'd be likely to do leisurely research on.

 

[childeroland]

Shakespeare
Kurt Godel formulating his incompleteness theorems
Charles Babbage constructing his Difference Engine
John Harrison, creator of the first clock accurate enough to determine longitude at sea
Empress Mathilda and the Anarchy
Seymour Cray
Alan Turing presenting the first detailed plan for a stored-program computer
Thomas Edison inventing the quadruplex telegraph
Edison and the phonograph
"Mr. Watson, come here, I want you."
Isaac Newton: a) almost putting out his eye while investigating white light and prisms, b) inventing his reflecting telescope c) writing the Principia d) formulating his fluxions and fighting with Leibniz over who invented the calculus

 

[hopefuldreamer]

The Roswell Incident - 1947

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

The death of Osama Bin Laden was a cool, recent historical moment. So was the 2008 election of Obama as the first black President (even if his actual presidency has been less than stellar). I also liked the recent SCOTUS striking down of DOMA. Going back a couple decades I love the bringing down of the Berlin wall. Now those are things I liked. The next ones I'm about to list I definitely didn't like, but I either became obsessed with them or they're at least events that affected me: 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Asian tsunami, the Newtown shooting, the Boston bombings. All those events depressed and shocked me, but I also found them fascinating and maybe that's because they were so shocking and unreal.

The New Jersey shark attacks of 1916...?!? Whoa, dude. You're really digging into the weeds there. I haven't even heard of that until now.

Going way back I'm interested in World War 2 as well. Of course I'm interested in the usual stuff about the Nazis and the Japanese empire, yadda yadda. But I've also gotten interested in the winter war between the Soviet Union and the Finnish ski-troops that would dress in white and gun down the Russkies as they skied down mountains. Also have a great interest in the Spanish civil war since reading 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and seeing 'Pan's Labyrinth'.

I'm also interested in the early art-deco skyscrapers that went up in New York like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler, but even more I'm fascinated by the visionary ones that didn't go up. Look at how people in 1900 envisioned the future of New York!

 

[Thundercrack85]

Hitler is certainly an... interesting figure. He's essentially become the evil incarnate. While he's certainly a terrible person, I think people have become so obsessed with that one single "character", that many don't appreciate the role of all the other people in the horrors of World War II. I wouldn't say he's been demonized (hard to demonize a mass murderer), but he has definitely been mythologized.

I find it interesting that these figures, people like Hitler and Napoleon are so mythologized, but usually, near the end of their reigns, you see what they really are. Mere mortals with delusions of grandeur. Hitler died, a broken man in a bunker, Napoleon died a broken man on an island.

I think the most fascinating period in history is the immediate aftermath of World War II. Where, the United States and Soviet Union emerge as the world's first true superpowers. They essentially did in a decade what it took the European powers centuries (taking over the world).

 

[Doctor Evo]

The NJ shore sharks attacks of 1916

Seconded. What's really interesting is that we still don't know for sure what species of shark was to blame, or even whether a single species or individual was responsible. It also inspired perhaps the most controversial hypothesis in shark biology: the "rogue shark" hypothesis. It is of course a fat load of ********, but it's become ingrained in the popular culture surrounding sharks.

This one certainly holds a special place in my heart.

I have a particular fascination with the Scopes Trial, as well as the more recent Kitzmiller v. Dover.

There's also the feud between Linnaeus and Buffon; I have a hard time believing that the assignment of toads to the genus Buffo was a coincidence.

Charles Darwin was a particularly fascinating character, as was Thomas Henry Huxley. Really, anything and anyone associated with the history of the theory of evolution holds a tremendous amount of my interest.

Of course, there is Nikola Tesla. It's hard to tell how much of the legend is ******** and how much is based in reality.

 

[Venom75]

Seconded. What's really interesting is that we still don't know for sure what species of shark was to blame, or even whether a single species or individual was responsible. It also inspired perhaps the most controversial hypothesis in shark biology: the "rogue shark" hypothesis. It is of course a fat load of ********, but it's become ingrained in the popular culture surrounding sharks.

Honestly,I'm not much a believer in the rogue shark theory myself,but anything is possible,I suppose. I know that several other animals have actually targeted humans. Tigers,crocs and lions to name a few. But I do believe that in the 1916 attacks at least 2 species were involved. The Great white and the Bull shark(since at least one of the attacks took place in freshwater).

 

[scatterax]

I've always been fascinated by the American revolution.

 

[Venom75]

Hitler is certainly an... interesting figure. He's essentially become the evil incarnate. While he's certainly a terrible person, I think people have become so obsessed with that one single "character", that many don't appreciate the role of all the other people in the horrors of World War II. I wouldn't say he's been demonized (hard to demonize a mass murderer), but he has definitely been mythologized.

I think that's one of the reasons I became fascinated with him. He has this "larger than life" persona. I've studied him since 1993 and to be honest,I do get tired of how he is always portrayed in the media/movies...as this "evil" ranting cartoon character. He was a man. With thoughts,emotions and feelings. One of my all time favorite films is "Downfall." Because they treat him as a flawed human being and not some typical stereotype.

 

[Thundercrack85]

The Roswell Incident - 1947

The events that surround Roswell are fascinating, but after doing a lot of my own research, I suspect that the entire thing may have been one big misunderstanding - and then just a bunch of lying.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I think that's one of the reasons I became fascinated with him. He has this "larger than life" persona. I've studied him since 1993 and to be honest,I do get tired of how he is always portrayed in the media/movies...as this "evil" ranting cartoon character. He was a man. With thoughts,emotions and feelings. One of my all time favorite films is "Downfall." Because they treat him as a flawed human being and not some typical stereotype.

Well, to be fair, his public persona was something of a ranting cartoon character.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Well, to be fair, his public persona was something of a ranting cartoon character.

I would argue not nearly as much as Mussolini.

 

[SV Fan]

I do get tired of how he is always portrayed in the media/movies.

You mean like this?

[YT]ybuKQf9p5jg[/YT]

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Liberation of the WW2 concentration camps.

Emancipation Proclomation (at least symbolically)

First 10 amendments for the Bill of Rights ratified

Recent:

First black president

Cannabis legalized in Colorado and Washington

Lucas sells Star Wars to Disney

 

[Kelly]

Though I have taught a class for 22 years that is all about current events, I have always enjoyed early American History, I find our founding fathers so interesting, with an enormous amount of vision that I wish we still had today in our leaders. I also have enjoyed studying Abraham Lincoln quite a bit.

 

[Venom75]

Well, to be fair, his public persona was something of a ranting cartoon character.

His public side is,esp. during his speeches. Part of why the German people so loved him is because of the passion he showed in his speeches. He spoke about their problems and insecurities as if they were his own. Now,to his enemies(and in their propaganda)that passion was displayed as craziness. But there were 2 different sides to him. Many people in his inner circle found him polite and a very fatherly type figure. He tried very hard to keep this image to the public of a never sleeping,vigilant and all powerful Fuhrer. But in private he felt more relaxed and even enjoyed joking with his staff. But I'm convinced that if you show that side of him in a Hollywood film today,most people would have a fit.


Btw,I just checked out the film DC:9/11. Very good movie,I think. Alot of critics of Bush have complained about it,but I think that Bush,in the weeks and months after 9/11 really showed a great leadership and strength and helped heal the nation. Probably the best picture based on 9/11 that I've seen is still United 93 though. Not that there's been a ton of films about the attack specifically. Not to be too morbid about it,but I wish there were more films based on the events of September 11. I'm kinda surprised there aren't.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

His public side is,esp. during his speeches. Part of why the German people so loved him is because of the passion he showed in his speeches. He spoke about their problems and insecurities as if they were his own. Now,to his enemies(and in their propaganda)that passion was displayed as craziness. But there were 2 different sides to him. Many people in his inner circle found him polite and a very fatherly type figure. He tried very hard to keep this image to the public of a never sleeping,vigilant and all powerful Fuhrer. But in private he felt more relaxed and even enjoyed joking with his staff. But I'm convinced that if you show that side of him in a Hollywood film today,most people would have a fit.


Btw,I just checked out the film DC:9/11. Very good movie,I think. Alot of critics of Bush have complained about it,but I think that Bush,in the weeks and months after 9/11 really showed a great leadership and strength and helped heal the nation. Probably the best picture based on 9/11 that I've seen is still United 93 though. Not that there's been a ton of films about the attack specifically. Not to be too morbid about it,but I wish there were more films based on the events of September 11. I'm kinda surprised there aren't.

So you want more movies where Hitler is shown in a positive light and Bush Jr is a great leader and healer of nations?

Why when their actions (Holocaust, Iraq War) prove them unworthy of such praise?

 

[Venom75]

So you want more movies where Hitler is shown in a positive light and Bush Jr is a great leader and healer of nations?

Why when their actions (Holocaust, Iraq War) prove them unworthy of such praise?

I just want movies that are truthful. If Hitler had actually saved a box of kittens from a fire,I want to see it. I remember a few years back,CBS produced a film called Hitler:The Rise of Evil. In it,they went out of their way to make Hitler seem like Satan's spawn. He beat dogs(which he never did)and pretty much acted like a ranting loon the whole picture. If he had acted that way in real life no one would've followed him or even liked the man. In fact,the historical advisor(a well known Hitler/WW2 expert)on the movie actually walked off because of all the historical inaccuracies the movie portrayed. As I've mentioned,that's why I love the film Downfall. Yes,they show Hitler saying and doing bad things,but they also treat him as a human and take seriously the history,and the person, they show on screen.
Same kinda goes with Bush. Was he perfect? No. Was he a truly great president? I don't think so. But it seems that we only see the negative side of his presidency. I don't believe he was this evil mastermind or the idiot redneck that many accuse him of being. I believe that with hindsight,we all can look back and say going into Iraq was a mistake. But at the time everyone agreed he had WMD's and was a threat. Congress even approved of us going in there and getting rid of Saddam. But when everything starts to go south,then Bush gets the blame for everything. I'm sorry. I just find that unfair.
I could go and and on,but that's just my opinion. You don't agree with me and that's fine. I just believe that there are 2 sides to every person. It's not so black and white.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

You make solid points but I disagree that everyone thought Saddam had WMDs.

Even though the media eerily gave Bush a free pass many in the international community remained skeptical. Bush even used Colin Powell to try and convince the United Nations about WMDs.

Plus there were huge protests by Americans before the war. Many knew it was fishy to use 9-11 and unseen weapons as an excuse to pre-emptively invade Iraq to ”spread democracy”.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I consider Bush to be one of the worst presidents in America's fairly long history. Bush deserves all the blame he gets and then some.

History will not be kind to that man.

 

[SV Fan]

Plus there were huge protests by Americans before the war. Many knew it was fishy to use 9-11 and unseen weapons as an excuse to pre-emptively invade Iraq to ”spread democracy”.

Iraq always seemed like a war that was done mainly to please special interest groups, mainly Weapon Manufacturers and Big Oil. At first I thought Big Oil was to blame for Iraq but viewing it 10 years later I think the Military Industrial Complex is more to blame

I consider Bush to be one of the worst presidents in America's fairly long history. Bush deserves all the blame he gets and then some.

History will not be kind to that man.

I think History will blame Cheney more then Bush for all the problems that happened during Bush's term.

 

[Venom75]

Honestly,I used to dislike Bush while he was president. Back then,it seemed like everyone made fun of the man or hated him,unfairly so at times it seemed. But after he left office I started thinking about it and did some research. I even read his book to get a view from his side. President Bush has often said that history will prove him right. And at least from my point of view,history has started to side with him. I'm neither a Republican or Democrat,but I started liking him and found him to be unfairly demonized. He had his faults and made mistakes,but I don't think he's as bad as people say. I think it helps to have time go by and be able to go back and examine a event or person more objectively. I even remember seeing a poll a few weeks back that said that Bush's approval rating was going up and that people missed him as president.
Maybe I'm wrong and I'll admit that I don't know all the facts,but my take on Bush and Iraq is this:
9/11 happened on Bush's watch. I've read his biography and heard in interviews he's done that he never forgot that,even while the country moved on. He made it clear that terrorism and those who support it,are on America's hit list. He never wanted another 9/11 to happen again. September 11th happened because we failed to react to the growing threat that Bin Laden and his gang presented(I think the Clinton presidency shares most of that blame). So,I think Bush(as well as alot of Americans and our allies)took the position that the best way to defeat those who hate us is to go on the offensive. Iraq had no ties to 9/11,but they have supported terrorism and they were even the only country I know of to actually praise the 9/11 attacks. Saddam was clearly a threat to the Middle East and was a brutal,evil dictator who murdered his neighbors as well as his own people...and he hated the US. In fact,I think at one point while he was president Clinton was actually prepared to invade Iraq as well. One of the fears was that he would supply terrorists with WMD's or even use them himself. And although we weren't sure he had any weapons,we know he used to have them,but our intelligence was sure he still had some hidden in the regime. Saddam also kicked UN weapons inspectors out of his country or never let them do their job. It was very suspicious. But Bush and his administration did not want to wait to find out. It would be better to act now,then wait and have another 9/11 happen.
So,we started to make the case against Saddam. We gave him several warnings to let the inspectors back in,or admit he has the weapons and to destroy them. But Saddam kept on giving everyone the run around. We'd give him sanctions or warnings and he would just flip his nose at everyone.Many countries,including Germany and France refused to take action against Iraq because they had made deals for oil and were in league with Saddam. The UN was pretty much useless and let Iraq get away with alot. What good are threats and warnings against him if no one would ever carry them out? Bush finally had enough and told Hussien to either give up the weapons and leave the country or face invasion. Once again,Saddam and his idiot sons ignored us and never took our warning seriously. So,rather than just let Iraq get away with it...again,Bush invaded. President Bush did what he thought was right and if there's anyone to blame,it's Saddam himself. Yet,Bush was the one treated like the evil dictator and was roasted by everyone at home and in the international community.
Now,I'm not sure if I got the facts right,but was this the general idea? Honestly,I don't think things are that simple,but I don't believe for a second that we went over there for oil or to "expand" America's global reach or anything like that. I think that we went over there to protect ourselves from what we believed was a major threat. Of course,there were alot of mistakes and I do think that Bush,Cheney and everyone involved underestimated how long it would take to get Iraq back on it's feet,or the amount of terrorist activity that would occur there. Plus,I think everyone felt that the Iraqi citizens themselves would do alot more to help rebuild their country. Things like that Abu ghraib prison scandal and the torture of prisoners really set us back alot after we liberated the country. The world started to turn against us and Bush/America was viewed as a bully who thought it could do whatever it wanted just because it was America.
But is this pretty much what happened? I'm sure I got some facts wrong,but I think Bush had only good intentions,although things didn't exactly go as plan.

 

[Kelly]

The problem with "Bush never forgetting 9/11" is that he did forget...maybe not intentionally, but he moved to Iraq, instead of keeping his eye on the prize. He totally forgot about Bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He moved, to finishing his dad's war, and IMO that was his biggest mistake.....well and the fact that he was a big spender and should have used the bully pulpit to stamp out Dodd and Frank and their extremely stupid legislation.