Dr. Cynthia Woodburn of the PSU Math Dept will present a colloquium entitled Napoleon and Mathematics: A Case Study of the Interplay between Mathematics and HistoryAbstract: Throughout the ages, there has been much interplay between mathematics and history. Not only can the work done by mathematicians have an impact on history but mathematicians also can have their work influenced by their time and place in history. We’ll take a look at one specific case where mathematics and history are closely intertwined which occurred in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Yates Hall 215Students are encouraged to attend.There will be cookies and conversation afterwards in Yates 210.
Category Archives: military
Pittsburg Sun, Evening Edition, 7 December 1941
Curious what the newspaper in Pittsburg looked like on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed? Thanks to our GA Amanda Minton, we have evidence! A well-preserved copy of the Pittsburg Sun just turned up, and she allowed me to photograph and share it. Since the governor has ordered flags at half-staff today in honor of the anniversary, here’s my contribution to the remembrance.
True stories of WWII
“With similar small victories the length of France, it took Das Reich more than a fortnight to complete what should have been a three-day journey, by which time the Allied hold on Normandy was secure.” The true story of Britain’s most decorated soldier.
Maginot Line Diagrams
Not sure what the Maginot Line actually looked like? Me neither, until I saw this: Maginot Line Diagrams
Formerly Classified WWI Aerial Photographs
Brett Holman, interwar military aerial blogger par excellance, has posted scans of a book from 1918 that used to be restricted to ground use only, in case it got lost. It includes some excellent examples of aerial photography of WWI-era military ships and formations.
Online exhibition of Spanish Civil War photography
A small, but well-described sample of pictures from a new exhibit of recently rediscovered photos from the 1930’s conflict.
Aerial photography and intelligence in WWI
A short but fascinating discussion of WWI aerial photography and its use by historians.
Versailles Treaty Conditions Finally Fulfilled
The last reparations payment from Germany to the victor nations of WWI — yes, that’s World War One — has finally been made. It would be nice to say, as the article does, that WWI is “finally over” but really, the implications of that war are still with us, in many ways.
Missing Lectures: Tegrity Capture
As you know, I’m not going to be in class Friday October 8 or Monday October 11. However, that’s no reason to lose ground! I’ve recorded lectures for both days through Tegrity, and you can find the recordings either in the Tegrity box in Angel or directly linked from here:
- Friday: Napoleon
- Monday: 19th Century European Thought
The Napoleon lecture is about 10 minutes short; the 19th century lecture is about 10 minutes long: together, they’re just right, almost exactly 100 minutes. Feel free to watch them at your leisure anytime before next Wednesday. I will make the powerpoints available as well, through the course page.
For fun: Five Myths of WWII
Cracked Magazine produced this list of Five Myths of WWII History [note: vulgar, rude language. But good history]