Blake Stilwell, We Are the Mighty

Blake Stilwell is a writer for We Are the Mighty, a site by and for veterans.

wearethemighty.com

In WWI, Fighter Planes and Machine Guns Were the Perfect Team

Innovative design ensured the two worked together seamlessly.

Your Handy Viewing Guide to Military Episodes of The Simpsons

The long-running sitcom that lampoons American life has focused on warfare more than once.

The Unparalleled Power of the Praetorian Guard of Rome

Meet the infamous bodyguards of the Roman Empire—and find out how they lost their once-legendary power.

The 5 Most Humiliating Defeats In Military History

Superior numbers sometimes just mean a chance at superior embarrassment.

This War of 1812 Vet Saw the Battle of Gettysburg from his Porch... and Joined It

John Burns showed his commitment to the United States—and its union—until his final days.

Genghis Khan's Tomb, Lost to This Day, is Protected by an Ancient Tribe of Nomads

Though even they don't know the tomb's precise location, the Darkhad continue to keep their leader's final resting place a treasured secret.

World History's Stupidest Wars Include One Fought Over a Pig

Pigs, buckets, and dogs were flash points for conflicts that could have been easily avoided.

How Dutch Intelligence Agents Fooled Communists For Almost 40 Years

A Dutch pro-China group was secretly filled with anti-communist agents for decades.

What Happened to the German Mercenaries Who Fought Against the American Revolution?

These hired fighters didn't just disappear—but what happened to them may surprise you.

4 Union Generals That Were Better Than the Famous Ones

These hardworking generals outperformed the showboats at every turn.

This Former Slave Became The First African American West Point Grad

Henry Flipper, born a slave, beat astonishing odds and overcame classmates' racism to become the first black graduate in 1877.

California Once Used Children To Fight A War On Squirrels

Squirrel Week resulted in some 100,000 rodent casualties.

How Western Union Helped The U.S. Enter World War I

An intercepted telegram provided a reason for President Wilson to join the effort.

The 5 Stupidest Losses Of The American Civil War

Confederates and Union troops alike made flawed decisions with fatal consequences.

A Single Viking's Berserker Rage Changed World History Forever

His combative stance was the final stand of the Viking Age—and allowed the Norman invasion its foothold.

Why Ancient Romans Built Statues Of Their Greatest Enemy

The statues were a sign of honor for their enemy and a symbol of the strength of the empire.

The Russians Had Women's 'Battalions of Death' In World War I

With German forces approaching, Russia turned to a new source of manpower.

This Is Why Washington Wasn't Relentlessly Attacked By The Confederates

Natural barricades, manmade obstacles, and heavy reinforcements kept the capital safe.