When people see the incredible power that is a cyclone, typhoon or hurricane, we typically wonder how we can stop that destructive force from wreaking havoc. While many cities build dikes, dams, and other artificial features, there is actually a natural solution to this problem: Mangroves. 

Mangroves are swampy marshlands that are made up of a bunch of trees. They live best in brackish water – the kind of water where fresh and saltwater mix. In coastal areas, these mangroves provide natural protection and infrastructure to lessen the damage caused by extreme weather events.

Are mangroves just too good to be true? Here’s four facts about how mangroves are able to protect coastal cities so well!

1. Mangroves can reduce damage by up to 90%

The primary way that cyclones and hurricanes cause damage is through storm surges. A storm surge is when the water level rises far above the typical levels. When levels get past a certain amount, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water in the area can flood. The resulting runoff is what spills over into towns and cities, causing damage. So, mangroves act as a barrier to stop the water levels from rising and mitigate the damage. Plus, they are pretty good at it!

2. Mangroves can dissipate energy from a cyclone by up to 90%. 

In addition, another study from India in 2005 also supported this claim. In the aftermath of a typhoon that struck numerous villages around Bhitarkanika National Park, researchers found that those villages with mangrove swamps fared much better than those that just had dikes. The researchers found that the property damage suffered by the villages with mangroves was four to five times less than the ones with dams and dikes only. 

3. Mangroves stop cyclones by building a natural barrier 

The reason mangroves are so effective in stopping inclement weather is because of how they are built. Mangroves have lots of roots, stumps and vegetation. Because of this, tons of silt and minerals get stuck inside. Over time, these deposits build up huge amounts of clay and sand that act like a wall. Though the wall is still porous enough to allow water to flow through, it has to make it around all those obstructions.

4. Water does not have a clear path through a mangrove

Because of this, water loses energy drastically as it moves through a mangrove. This means that whenever a cyclone or hurricane hits, the constant bouncing of the water has to do as it traverses all the obstacles of the mangrove, lessening the force. With less force, there is less storm surge and less damage. 

Mangroves are nature’s barrier to protect coastal areas from storms. Their unique makeup, combined with being a habitat for tons of water, land, and airborne species, makes mangroves some of the most vital ecosystems in the world. Because of their natural defense at slowing down water from going inland, these habitats are great ways to protect vulnerable coastal areas from catastrophic storm damage.  

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The Polish Army was not the only Allied power that got some help from the animal kingdom – so did the US government! The US military employed thousands of military working war dogs during World War Two. Additionally, Army, Marine Corps and Navy units unofficially adopted thousands of animals when they served in war-torn areas.

So, how did all these dogs end up fighting in World War 2? Keep scrolling to read about how these dogs became an incredible asset for the US military!

How Did These “War Dogs” End Up in WWII?

During their first six months involved in WWII, the US government realized the need for working dogs. There was a great fear of German and Japanese soldiers landing on US shores. So, huge numbers of sentry and guard dogs were needed for the big leagues! The military initially envisioned these dogs patrolling coastlines, protecting industrial facilities and guarding military bases from attack. But, there was just one problem: The US military had no dog program. They also could not wait to breed their own dogs.

Because of this, the Army launched the Dogs for Defense Program, which allowed patriotic citizens to donate their dogs for military service. They Initially accepted almost any breed. However, the Army soon narrowed down the list once they built training centers. Approximately 75% of dogs that ended up being recruited during the war were Doberman pinschers and 25% were German Shepherds. 

What Did War Dogs Do During WWII?

So, how many dogs did military forces adopt during WWII? It is estimated that 1,047 dogs were donated and trained for military service throughout the war. And photographic evidence from the National Archives shows that the practice was widespread. These war dogs successfully served in both the Pacific and European areas.

Working dogs were used as scouts, messengers and attack dogs. They were trained not to bark, alerting soldiers of Japanese presence through special signals. The trained dogs could also detect a human scent up to one-half mile away.

Dogs were also adopted by smaller units at the platoon and company level. Sometimes divisions even had official dog mascots. Though dog mascots were not expected to perform military functions, their role was crucial in keeping troops fighting. Regardless of how official it was, service members adopting animals proved to be a widespread practice. The dogs also a huge morale booster!

What Did The Dogs Do After the War Ended?

In 1945, the military retrained these dogs back to civilian life. All but four dogs were able to be retrained and re-homed. Though it was common to adopt cats, birds, goats and mules, dogs were by far the most popular choice among service members. 

Throughout World War Two, dogs played a crucial part in the US military. Military working dogs served in a variety of roles, both on the home front and in frontline combat. Numerous stories of dogs’ heroism solidified their use for future generations. Of the 1,047 dogs that served, 25 died during their service.

To this day, the US military still uses dogs to fight in wars. Take a look at their intense training:

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Babe Ruth is undoubtedly one of the most famous baseball players in history. With an impressive record at both pitching and batting, Babe Ruth takes the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none” and flips it on its head. Ruth was, in fact, the jack of all trades and master of all. No matter what position he was in, he excelled at. 

However, despite his exploits on the baseball field, his reputation was mired for the partying and womanizing he did off the field. Despite the controversy, Babe Ruth lived and interesting and accomplished life.

Here are 10 facts about the famous baseball player!

1. His birthday was in dispute. 

Babe Ruth always believed his birthday was February 7, 1895, but historians now agree it was February 6. 

2. Ruth started partying at a young age. 

Ruth had a troubled childhood. Because of this, his knack for partying started early. Before he was eeven eight years olf, Ruth had already chewed tobacco and drank whiskey for the first time.

3. The origin of his nickname “Babe” is still unknown. 

Babe Ruth earned his nickname while playing for the Baltimore Orioles. No one knows precisely when or how he got the nickname. However, it stuck for good by the time he left the team.  

4. Babe Ruth debuted as a pitcher before he was a batter. 

Ruth started his professional baseball career as a pitcher. He pitched in 127 games before he began batting. 

5. Known for batting, Babe Ruth is still one of the best left-handed pitchers of the time. 

Despite his fame as a batter, Babe Ruth was also one of the best left-handed pitchers in early baseball. He had the lowest ERA of 2.19 and the highest winning average of .659 among left-handed pitchers. 

6.The Red Sox have never been the same without him. 

Ruth was the Red Sox’s most valuable player. During the six seasons he played with them, the Red Sox won three World Series titles. However, they have only won four in the 107 seasons since then. 

7. His career almost ended over a pitching dispute. 

Ruth almost quit the Red Sox when the manager refused to let him bat. After threatening legal action against him, Ruth returned to the team as a pitcher. 

8. Ruth went just as hard off the field. 

Due to his tendency to party, some of his teammates remarked: “I don’t room with Ruth; I room with his suitcase.” This was due to his being out at all hours of the night partying. 

9. Babe Ruth hit one of the longest-ever home run on record. 

While playing in Detroit, he hit one of the longest-ever home run on July 18, 1921. It is estimated the ball traveled around 575 feet. Ruth also holds the record for the top three longest home runs. 

10. His record for most home runs in a single season is still undefeated. 

During the 1927 season, Ruth set the single-season home run record – 60 home runs. That record has never been beaten but was tied in 1961. 

The Legacy of Babe Ruth in Baseball and Beyond 

Even though Ruth’s reputation off the field may have cost him opportunities later in life, he is undoubtedly a fantastic player. His ability to set records in any position he played has made him legendary in professional baseball. His resilience and skill on the field without the enhancement of steroids or other drugs make him truly remarkable in the sport. 

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Living in the shadow of a famous relative is often hard for people to do. When so many compare your life to your relatives, it can be hard to carve out your own life and career. And this was certainly the case for the son of former US President John F. Kennedy –  John F. Kennedy Jr.

Despite being part of the famous Kennedy clan, John F. Kennedy Jr. despised being compared to his father and wanted to make a name for himself. Even after pushing through law school and two bar exam failures, JFK Jr. had a hard time staying out of the spotlight. 

Whether he was trying to build an acting career, volunteer, or make his own political magazine, he often drew the ire of his other family members. But despite not getting along with his family, JFK Jr. suffered a series of tragedies that seemed to make the Kennedy family curse true. 

JFK Jr. Was the Target of Three Kidnapping Plots 

After the death of her husband and several family members, Jackie Kennedy decided to move her family to her husband’s native Greece. Jackie was convinced that there was a plot to kill Kennedy family members, and she wanted to get out of dodge. Relocating to the remote island of Skorpios, she thought her family was safe. But, she was wrong. 

In 1972, Greek authorities and the FBI discovered a plot by eight Greek men to kidnap JFK Jr. for ransom. Because her husband was one of the wealthiest men in Greece, it was thought they could make out with an easy payday. The FBI did not reveal the other two plots to the public until after JFK Jr’s death. Released FBI documents detail how a very drunk man made a 911 call claiming he and seven other people were planning JFK Jr’s kidnapping in 1985. Though little information is known about this plot, it was not considered as severe as the next one.

In 1994, the FBI interviewed an informant claiming a powerful group of Columbian men were planning on kidnapping JFK Jr. for ransom. At the time, he lived in New York City, and the informant stated that the kidnappers knew he rode his bike and did not have bodyguards. These facts were true and could only have been known by people planning a kidnapping. The FBI took this threat seriously and considered the suspects armed and dangerous. Due to the heavily redacted report, what happened to the plotters is not known. 

JFK Jr. Died in an Untimely Airplane Accident 

On top of being a lawyer, writer, and actor, JFK Jr. also had his private pilot’s license. Late in the evening of July 16, 1999, JFK Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister were flying from New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard. Though Kennedy had about 300 hours of flight experience, he had little experience flying at night, especially in the poor visibility he was flying in that night. 

Because of the bad visibility, Kennedy would have to rely on his instruments only, which is something he was not qualified to do. One of his flight instructors even asked him if he could ride along to ensure he was fine, but Kennedy turned him down. After he checked out of the airport tower in New Jersey, that was the last anyone saw them alive. 

After several days of searching, Navy divers recovered the plane and their bodies a few miles from Martha’s Vineyard in 120 feet of water. The ensuing investigation found that Kennedy’s plane tumbled from 2,200 feet to 1,200 feet in 14 seconds, which was not a safe rate of descent. Ultimately, it was ruled that the plane crashed due to pilot error. 

JFK Jr.’s Short-Lived Life

JFK Jr., by all accounts, lived a very full life. From serving as a prosecutor to starting his magazine, to even being voted the sexiest man alive in the 80s, Kennedy tried to make a name for himself. However, the specter of his father’s presidency and the Kennedy family curse haunted him until the day he died. Surviving three kidnapping plots and dying in a tragic plane accident show that the Kennedy family curse is indeed still going strong.

The post The Tragic Life of John F. Kennedy Jr. first appeared on History In Memes.

Without a doubt, the Allies had help from many people, countries, and even animals during World War Two. However, a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek was one of the most unexpected allies. Serving in the Free Polish Army from 1942 to 1945, Wojtek was known for his power, strength, and almost human-like personality. 

But, his service to the Allied cause goes far beyond his cute and cuddly face. Wojtek actually saw combat in one of the fiercest battles of the Italian campaign. 

Polish Soldiers in Iran rescued Wojtek 

In the spring of 1942, the Allies knew the war would last a long time. Because of this, they needed to raise as many armies as possible. One of the ways the Allies thought to do this was to raise new units from prisoners and refugees who had fled conquered countries. Poland was the perfect candidate for this proposal. 

Because the Soviet Union was a German ally before being invaded by German forces, Soviet authorities had hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians stashed away in gulags. With the new agreement inked in 1941, Soviet authorities granted pardons to any Polish man or woman who joined the new army. Known as Ander’s army, after its commanding officer, the unit shipped out in March 1942 to serve in the British army. 

While en route through Iran, 18-year-old Irena Bokiewicz encountered a brown bear cub at a rail station. She convinced her great uncle, to adopt the bear. The Iranian boy selling it said poachers had killed its mother. Taking pity on the bear, the niece convinced an army Lieutenant to buy the bear and that she would take care of it herself. The officer agreed.

Over the next three months, Wojtek, which is short for happy warrior, grew stronger and bigger. Soon, he was the official mascot of the Second Polish Army Corps.

Wojtek Served in Combat in Italy

Before leaving Iran, General Anders had to figure out how to get Wojtek onto a British transport ship. Army regulations forbid mascots or animals from embarking. General Anders enlisted Wojtek as a private in the army to get around this rule. Wojtek was now a soldier with an actual pay account and identity card. 

With the problem of transporting Wojtek out of the way, the next issue was how to employ him. Polish officers agreed that he could be used to haul heavy artillery shells. So, they put him in the 22^nd Artillery Supply Company. After his new assignment, the Polish Second Army Corps arrived in Italy, enduring almost three years of constant combat. 

The deadliest battle the Poles fought in was the Battle for Monte Cassino. Overlooking a strategic height of the infamous Gothic Line, taking the centuries-old monastery was vital to cracking German defenses in Italy. During the months-long battle, the Poles were engaged in heavy fighting, including the 22^nd Artillery Supply Company.

With casualties high, Polish leadership even threw support units into infantry roles. With a shortage of manpower, the company’s commander started using Wojtek to carry artillery shells to the guns. Wojtek is said to have done such a good job carrying crates of ammunition that he was promoted to corporal! 

Though Wojtek handling shells like a human is disputed, at least one British observer claimed he saw him do it. But, regardless of how true the story is or not, Wojtek was a great morale booster for the unit. Here’s some other habits he was known to do:

• Drink beer and coffee
• Smoke (and eat) cigarettes
• Sleep with other soldiers if they were cold in the night
• Salute when greeted

Wojtek’s Legacy

Wojtek was a morale boost during a time when there wasn’t much to smile about. His happy-go-lucky personality made him a hit with soldiers who had endured so much already. After serving in Italy for three years, he was brought to the UK. he was brought along with his unit, where it was disbanded. However, like many Polish soldiers serving the Commonwealth, Wojtek stayed in the UK. 

Wojtek took up residence at the Edinburgh Zoo, where visitors would even throw cigarettes into his enclosure sometimes. He enjoyed his celebrity status until 1961, when he passed away.

The post Wojtek: The Bear Who Fought in WWII first appeared on History In Memes.

When people first think of the Twin Towers, the first thing that comes to mind is the tragedy of 9/11. But before that infamous day, the Twin Towers were among the tallest buildings in the world. And at one point, the World Trade Center was even considered the world’s tallest TV station.

The North Tower, completed first in December 1970, stood at an impressive 1,368 feet. Meanwhile, its twin South Tower, completed in July 1971, stood at 1,362 feet.

Not long after being completed in 1971, the Word Trade Center was soon dwarfed by the Sears Tower in Chicago. Standing at an eye-watering 1,451 feet, the Sears Tower became even taller than the World Trade Center. 

But with a simple addition, the Word Trade Center was soon able to reclaim the title of “World’s Tallest Building.”

The North Tower: The Tallest TV Station in the World

Until its destruction on 9/11, the North Tower had the distinction of being the tallest building in the world at 1,728 feet. But how did the North Tower gain several hundred feet on its twin tower? The answer to that is simple: an antenna. 

Building the twin towers was very expensive. Along with the huge insurance policy that cost billions of dollars, the building’s upkeep, insurance, and rent were costly for its owners. To help offset the cost, they got the idea of turning the North Tower into the country’s largest television station.

In 1979, the owners decided to mount a television antenna on the North Tower. Often working in cranes and baskets almost two thousand feet above the streets of Manhattan, the crews were known as “cloud piercers.” This is because they were so high up they would often be standing far above the cloud covers. 

When completed, the tower provided television coverage for all of New York state. 

The Man Behind the Famous Photo of the World’s Tallest TV Station

Peter Kaplan was a famous photographer who was both a photographer and stuntman. Growing up in New York, Peter was fond of taking pictures from high places, even from a young age. But once he grew up, he took that love of photography to new heights – literally. 

After becoming famous for climbing the Statue of Liberty and snapping several, now world-renowned, photos, Peter Kaplan cemented his fame as both a photographer and daredevil. Clambering up places like the Empire State Building, St. Louis Arch, and Golden Gate Bridge, Peter made it his lifelong passion for showing the world what it looked like from its highest places. 

For the photo showing the antenna on the North Tower, Peter went up not once, not twice, but 12 separate times to get all the shots he needed. Talk about dedication!

Other Artists Who Have Scaled the World Trade Center

The “cloud piercers” and photographer Peter Kaplan weren’t the only ones to bravely make their way high up the World Trade Center.

August 7, 1974: High-wire walker Philippe Petit traversed a 131-foot-long cable between the Twin Towers and walked back and forth several time, 1,350 feet in the air. Even more impressive, he performed the act without a net.

July 22, 1975: Atop the North Tower, Owen Quinn performed the first ever (although unauthorized) parachute jump at the World Trade Center from the top of the North Tower. Follow Owen, four other people have parachuted off the Twin Towers between 1980 and 1999.

May 26, 1977: Toymaker and mountain climber George Willig scaled the entirety of the South Tower’s facade. The act was so impressive that he earned the nickname “the human fly.”

Looking Back at the World’s Tallest TV Station

The story behind the World Trade Center antenna photo is amazing. Not only was the guy that took it dangling almost 2,000 feet in the air, but he also had to do it a dozen times to get the shot he finally wanted. Not only that, but the photographer was well known for taking great shots of places most people would never dream of going. 

Because of how good his work was, Peter Kaplan’s photos have been preserved in places like the Smithsonian, New York Museum of Modern Art, as well as postage stamps in 13 different countries. 

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