Remember on that November 1948 morning after he won the election? President Harry Truman, a Democrat, held up a copy of the Chicago Tribune? He was laughing because the early edition headline of the Republican newspaper was an absolutely wrong DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.

Truman’s birthplace is a small six-room farmhouse in Lamar, Missouri, about 100 miles from Kansas City. The house was purchased in 1957 by the United Auto Workers to honor the President who was a strong advocate of unions. They had it restored as a museum and given to the State of Missouri as an Historic Site. The museum is at 1009 Truman Avenue, and open daily to the public.

The million-year old natural flat structure in the desert in central Australia is the result of a prehistoric earthquake. Resembling a big aircraft carrier in the middle of a red ocean, it’s a quarter-mile long and half a mile high.

Ayers Rock has been featured in many Aussie movies, along with its nearby town of Alice Springs. Before British settlers came to Australia in the 18th Century, the rock had religious significance for the native aboriginal tribes, and its original name is Uluru.

Visitors today enjoy exploring visiting the historic site, along with its many caves, waterholes and ancient “abo” wall paintings.

Postage stamp honoring Berlin Airlift

How many of us are still around who remember the glory days of Templehof Airport in Berlin, Germany?

In the 1930s and early 1940s, it was the grandiose setting for meetings by Hitler with various foreign visitors, including Neville Chamberlain’s infamous attempt to find “peace in our time”. Hitler also stsged big military events there to welcome home German athletes returning from Olympic games, as well as during WWII, when he honored heroic soldiers and airmen for their roles in Nazi conquests throughout Europe.

From 1942 through May, 1945, British and American bombers blasted the hell out of the city and virtually destroyed the airport. When Germany surrendered, Templehof was quickly restored and became a major base for Allied occupation air operations.

Reenactors clad in authentic armor to commemorate the famed 1415 battle. Made famous by Shakespeare’s Henry V, it was a victory for the British, and assured Henry V of his kingdom in England and Northern France. Remember the stirring speech the King made before the battle?

From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother.

The festival is scheduled for late October in various English locations, as well as the actual battle site in Northern France. If you’d like to experience the reenactment and other historic events, check with your favorite hometown or online travel agency.

The battle was one of many that were fought during the Hundred Year War. Hard to believe any war could last an entire century? Despite temptations, we will make no comparisons to ongoing 21st Century wars.