The Gallic Wars

By Julius Caesar (2016)

Originally composed for propaganda purposes, Julius Caesar’s The Gallic Wars (Commentarii de Bello Gallico) is one of the earliest examples of a military science manual, detailing arms technology, tactical maneuvers, battlefield politics, espionage, intelligence and even the role played by luck in ground and sea campaigns.

Fact of the Day

In 1623, one kilogram of tobacco was roughly five times more expensive than Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Quote of the Day

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. "

~ John F. Kennedy

On This Day

1284 The future Edward II was born at Caernarfon Castle, Wales. He was the only son from Edward I's first marriage to Eleanor of Castile to outlive his father.

1719 The much-loved Daniel Defoe story Robinson Crusoe was published.

1792 French highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person to be executed by the guillotine.

1915 Ninety thousand Australian, New Zealand, British and French forces began landing on the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula. They hoped to secure the northern bank of the Dardanelles, but were forced to withdraw after eight months of intense fighting.

1916 British authorities declared martial law in Dublin for a month, in response to the Easter Rising.

1984 David A. Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy (of the political Kennedy family), died of a drug overdose in Palm Beach, aged 28.

1990 The US shuttle Discovery released the Hubble Telescope into orbit. It remains one of the largest, most versatile and best known space telescopes.