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It was the start of the Bicentennial year in the United States in which the country would celebrate its 200th year of independence. It was a big deal, full of celebrations and commemorations. It was particularly notable if you were in school at the time, which I was (junior high).
Venezuela nationalized its oil industry, putting all of it, including foreign interests, in its state oil company.
Donald Trump has recently been complaining about this.
A lot of nations have done this over time, and its often been upsetting to US oil interests at the time, but the concept of nationalizing petroleum interests to some degree is not irrational, and while I haven't had the chance to post on it yet, quite frankly nationalization of undeveloped petroleum resources in the US is something that is at least worth talking about, even though it will never occur.
A Lebanese airliner exploded over Saudi Arabia from a bomb in the cargo hold. All 81 people were killed in an act of terrorism for which the responsible party has never been determined, although Omani terrorists are suspected by some forces. Apparently the bomb was set to have gone off while the plane was empty and on the ground, but things went awry.
The Australian Defence Force came into being, giving the Australian military a unified command.
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You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Matthew, Chapter 24.
I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.
Smedley D. Butler, War Is a Racket
December 21, 2025
United States v. Venezuela
Thee U.S. Coast Guard seized a second tanker transporting Venezuelan oil.
United States and Jordan v. ISIL
Jordan confirmed it helped the U.S. in the airstrikes in Syria against ISIL.
December 22, 2025
United States v. Venezuela
The US will be seizing, if it has not already, a third tanker.
December 23, 2025
Russo Ukrainian War
Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car in Moscow.
December 24, 2025
Russo Ukrainian War
Ukrainian forces withdrew from Siversk in the eastern Donetsk region after heavy fighting with Russian forces.
December 26, 2025
United States v. ISIS in Nigeria
The US hit ISIS affiliated targets in Nigeria yesterday.
Islamist attacks on Catholic Nigerians has been going on for a long time and has received very little attention in the US, outside of Catholic circles associated with Nigerians, but suddenly under the Trump Administration, it is. The attention is long overdue, but a person has to suspect that it comes out of NatCon circles and from Catholics inside the administration, rather than some personal concern from President Trump himself. Indeed, in announcing the strikes the mentally declining illegitimate chief executive stated:
Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
The many years and evcen centuries statement demonstrates a massive deficit in historical knowledge. Th is has been going on for many years, the vast majority of Christians on the plant are Catholic and there's been many examples of brutal killing of Catholics, very notably by Muslims, for centuries.
The strikes were carried out by ship to shore missiles.
Which groups were hit is unclear, but the largest IS-linked group in Nigeria is the Islamic State West Africa Province while the smaller group known as Lakurawa has sought to establish a base in north-western Sokoto state which was where the strikes were targeted.
Islamist groups in Nigeria have acted against Muslims as well as Catholics, but while that is noted, their repression and brutality is principally directed at Catholics.
The intervention seems justified and generally welcomed but now that it has commenced, the US will have to continue as this is a very long running problems and a day of missile attacks is not going to stop things immediately.
December 27, 2025
United States v. ISIS in Nigeria
In something that's obvious, but interesting in the world of Trump claims/lies/fantasies, Nigeria indicated it was open to the new military relationship with the US being ongoing and indicated that defeating Islamic extremist in the country will take some time.
It'll take a long time.
It's a worthwhile endeavor, but I wonder how the MAGAs that believed that Trump was going to end US involvement in foreign wars will justify it. Most MAGAs believe in isolationism, and the NAR folks include groups which, in their ignorance, don't realize that Catholics, the Christians in peril in Nigeria, and which are the original Christian denomination, are actually Christians.
On the strikes:
U.S. cruise missiles miss targets in Nigeria
December 28, 2025
Russo Ukrainian War
Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones yesterday, a day before scheduled talks between the Ukraine and the United States., killing at least one person and wounding 27.
It'll be interesting to see what effect this has on the talks given the participation of the unreliable and demented Donald Trump.
Thailand v. Cambodia
The fighting parties signed a new armistice in their border conflict.
The origin of the border fight dates back to the 1950s and is over undefined and unagreed to areas of their common border.
December 31, 2025
Saudi Arabia v. Yemeni separatists
Saudi Arabia bombe the Yemeni port city of Mukalla on Tuesday after a weapons shipment from the United Arab Emirates arrived for separatist forces. A warning to the UAE followed.
United States v. Venezuela.
The Central Intelligence Area hit a Venezuelan dock with drones.
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Wario2, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsThis was the conclusion of a monumental event that had been decades in the making, recreating, with slightly larger boundaries, the former extent of the First Saudi State which had come to an end in 1818. It also demonstrated the tricky nature of British support, as both sides in the conflict had been supported by the British during World War One, although only the Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz had been active supporters of the British backed Arab Revolt.
It took oil, of course, to make Saudi Arabia what it is today, and in part what it is, is a house of cards, still ruled by one family.
Henri de Jouvenel was appointed High Commissioner of the Levant, the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon.
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The siege of Jeddah ended after 10 months as the city's defenders surrendered to the city to the Sultanate of Nejd. King Ali of Hejaz abdicated the throne and was allowed to safely depart. Saudi Arabia was basically born.
Reichstag President Paul Löbe spoke out in favour of partial prohibition in Germany.
Mitchell's backers in Congress weren't giving up.
George Washington: “[I}t is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world.”
Lyndon Johnson: "But we are not about to send American boys 9 or 10,000 miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves."
Donald Trump: "Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally."
What was that, MAGA, about forever wars?
And why on earth would we want to designate a monarchy that will have a regime changing revolution within the next fifteen years as an formal "ally".
Friend of convenience, that's in the ICU, yes. Ally?
The Japanese sank in a storm with all 38 hands on board. She was transporting wheat from the U.S. to Germany, showing the international nature of trade a century ago (King Donny, are you awake?).
The ships telegrapher sent out a final message Now very danger! Come quick!". Two British ocean liners, RMS Homeric and SS King Alexander reached the vessel off the coast of Nova Scotia but were unable to get close enough for a rescue because of the heavy seas.
RMS Homeric sent the message "Observed steamer Rafuku Maru sink in Lat 4143N Long 6139W Regret unable to save any lives..
In Saudi Arabia the mausoleums and domes at Al-Baqi Cemetery at Medina were torn down, along with markers of the family of Muhammed as part of an effort by the Wahhabi Muslim led government to eradicate shrines associated with the Hejaz Muslims.
Hmmm. . . .
Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. president to talk on film as he delivered a four-minute address on a film that was captured in Phonofilm.
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The 9th NVA Division attacked again at Chơn Thành Camp, apparently trying to retrieve disabled tanks, but was repulsed again by ARVN defenders.
Kissinger spoke to the press.
A Henry Kissinger Press Conference – March 26, 1975 – Past Daily Reference Room
Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Saud, the Crown Prince and the younger half-brother of King Faisal, was crowned as the new King of Saudi Arabia.
Clela Rorex, the County Clerk for Boulder County, Colorado. issued a marriage license to Dave McCord and Dave Zamora who had consulted with the county's District Attorney who decided that there was nothing in Colorado's law that prohibited same sex marriage.
It was the first same sex marriage license issued in the US.
On April 24, Colorado State Attorney General Joyce Murdoch invalidated the license, as well as five others issued by Rorex.
Jaws premiered in an advance screening.
The Biological Weapons Convention banning the production or use of biologcial weapons, entered into force by its own terms.
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King Faisal of Saudi Arabia was shot and killed by his nephew, Prince Faisal bin Musaid.
The motivation for the murder by the US educated prince has never been determined.
The Tin-Ngai Campaign ended with NVA/VC forces in full control of Quảng Tin and Quảng Ngai Provinces. Da Nang as the only major city in I Corps still held by the South Vietnamese and it was effectively surrounded.
The U.S Air Force organized an airlift to evacuate 10,000 people a day from Da Nang,
Hué's remaining defenders were evacuated by sea.
All of the events above I can recall, particularly the events surrounding the disaster at Da Nang.
The day prior, the ARVN had successfully held an NVA armored attack back at Chơn Thành Camp, destroying 7 T-54s with antitank rockets, recoilless rifles and RVNAF airstrikes.
Linda Ronstadt released her cover of the Everly Brothers' 1960 song "When Will I Be Loved".
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Saudi Arabia declared war on the Axis powers.
The Red Army too Neustettin.
The Third Army too Bitburg.
The US conducts landings at Puerto Princesa on Palawan.
John Harlan Willis performed the actions that resulted in his being conferred a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. Constantly imperiled by artillery and mortar fire from strong and mutually supporting pillboxes and caves studding Hill 362 in the enemy's cross-island defenses, Willis resolutely administered first aid to the many marines wounded during the furious close-in fighting until he himself was struck by shrapnel and was ordered back to the battle-aid station. Without waiting for official medical release, he quickly returned to his company and, during a savage hand-to-hand enemy counterattack, daringly advanced to the extreme frontlines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a marine lying wounded in a shellhole. Completely unmindful of his own danger as the Japanese intensified their attack, Willis calmly continued to administer blood plasma to his patient, promptly returning the first hostile grenade which landed in the shell-hole while he was working and hurling back 7 more in quick succession before the ninth exploded in his hand and instantly killed him. By his great personal valor in saving others at the sacrifice of his own life, he inspired his companions, although terrifically outnumbered, to launch a fiercely determined attack and repulse the enemy force. His exceptional fortitude and courage in the performance of duty reflect the highest credit upon Willis and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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The Wahhabi raided into Transjordan.
President Coolidge established the boundaries of Glacier Bay National Monument, which is now Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.
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President Roosevelt met with King Ibn Saud on the USS Quincy.
Memorandum of Conversation Between the King of Saudi Arabia (Abdul Aziz Al Saud) and President Roosevelt, February 14, 1945, Aboard the U.S.S. “Quincy”
February 14, 1945
I
The President asked His Majesty for his advice regarding the problem of Jewish refugees driven from their homes in Europe.6 His Majesty replied that in his opinion the Jews should return to live in the lands from which they were driven. The Jews whose homes were completely destroyed and who have no chance of livelihood in their homelands should be given living space in the Axis countries which oppressed them. The President remarked that Poland might be considered a case in point. The Germans appear to have killed three million Polish Jews, by which count there should be space in Poland for the resettlement of many homeless Jews.
His “Majesty then expounded the case of the Arabs and their legitimate rights in their lands and stated that the Arabs and the Jews could never cooperate, neither in Palestine,7 nor in any other country. His Majesty called attention to the increasing threat to the existence of the Arabs and the crisis which has resulted from continued Jewish immigration and the purchase of land by the Jews. His Majesty further stated that the Arabs would choose to die rather than yield their lands to the Jews.
His Majesty stated that the hope of the Arabs is based upon the word of honor of the Allies and upon the well-known love of justice of the United States, and upon the expectation that the United States will support them.
The President replied that he wished to assure His Majesty that he would do nothing to assist the Jews against the Arabs and would make no move hostile to the Arab people. He reminded His Majesty [Page 3]that it is impossible to prevent speeches and resolutions in Congress or in the press which may be made on any subject. His reassurance concerned his own future policy as Chief Executive of the United States Government.
His Majesty thanked the President for his statement and mentioned the proposal to send an Arab mission to America and England to expound the case of the Arabs and Palestine. The President stated that he thought this was a very good idea because he thought many people in America and England are misinformed. His Majesty said that such a mission to inform the people was useful, but more important to him was what the President had just told him concerning his own policy toward the Arab people.
II
His Majesty stated that the problem of Syria and the Lebanon8 was of deep concern to him and he asked the President what would be the attitude of the United States Government in the event that France should continue to press intolerable demands upon Syria and the Lebanon. The President replied that the French Government had given him in writing their guarantee of the independence of Syria and the Lebanon and that he could at any time write to the French Government to insist that they honor their word. In the event that the French should thwart the independence of Syria and the Lebanon, the United States Government would give to Syria and the Lebanon all possible support short of the use of force.
III
The President spoke of his great interest in farming, stating that he himself was a farmer. He emphasized the need for developing water resources, to increase the land under cultivation as well as to turn the wheels which do the country’s work. He expressed special interest in irrigation, tree planting and water power which he hoped would be developed after the war in many countries, including the Arab lands. Stating that he liked Arabs, he reminded His Majesty that to increase land under cultivation would decrease the desert and provide living for a larger population of Arabs. His Majesty thanked the President for promoting agriculture so vigorously, but said that he himself could not engage with any enthusiasm in the development of his country’s agriculture and public works if this prosperity would be inherited by the Jews.
The raid on Dresden concluded with a nighttime raid by the RAF.
The USAAF bombed Prague. The raid killed 701 people, destroyed houses and historical sites, in a country that was a victim of Nazi oppression. This was attributed to a navigational error.
The Red Army liberated the Gross-Rosen concentration camp.
The U-989 was sunk by the Royal Navy.
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The Central Executive Committee of the USSR issued a decree prohibiting the possession of almost all firearms, with the exception of shotguns for hunting, although much hunting in much of Russia, which was fairly common, was in fact done with rifles by necessity.
Following 1933, the penalty for violation was five years imprisonment. In 1935 knives were added to the list.
During World War Two the ban was expanded with all firearms being required to be turned over to the state, although following the war, the USSR was awash in captured German weapons.
Presently, rifles may be registered for hunting.
The USSR/Russia we might note, shares this status with Ireland, in being a country whose freedom, if you will, was brought about through the private exercise of arms, that then went around banning them. In the USSR's case it isn't too surprising, as armed resistance against the Communists continued on into the 1930s in some areas and revived during the Second World War, to continue on until nearly 1950 after the war.
Truly, there's a lesson here.
The first issue of the weekly Saudi Arabian newspaper Umm Al-Qura, the official newspaper of the Saudi government, was published
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