August 1st is remembered as the election day in 1946 that sparked the Battle of Athens, Tennessee, when returning World War II veterans took up arms to oust a corrupt local government that was rigging an election.

On August 1, 1941 the first U.S. military Jeep rolled off the assembly line.

On August 1, 1958 the US First-Class postage was increased to 4 cents. (It had been 3 cents for 26 years.) In case you missed the news, the most recent rate increase went into effect on July 9, 2023. The new rate sheet includes an increase in the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp (the “Forever” stamp) — jumping from 63 cents to 66 cents.

Today is the anniversary of the general uprising against the German occupation, in Warsaw, in 1944. Like the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto uprising in April of 1943, it was doomed to failure. The uprising was eventually crushed, with massive civilian casualties. There was no support provided by the Allies. The advancing Soviet Red Army–just a few miles to the east–merely waited and watched. It was in their best interest to stand by and witness the remnants of the Polish Army deplete themselves against the German Wehrmacht.

August 1st is celebrated as Swiss Independence Day, in recognition of the signing of the Federal Charter of 1291, which united Switzerland’s first three cantons. As of 2023, Switzerland has been free and independent for 732 years. Having a well-armed populace has assured that.

And today is also the birthday of Lt. Colonel William B. Travis. He was born in 1809 and died March 6, 1836, at The Alamo.

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Today’s feature article was too short to be considered as an entry for the judging in Round 108 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

But up first is the judging for the most recent round of the writing contest.