Conflicthistory and News

In 1874, King David Kalākaua of Hawaii became the first reigning monarch to visit the United States. His historic visit commenced on November 28, 1874, when he arrived in San Francisco, marking a significant moment in U.S.-Hawaiian relations. President Ulysses S. Grant welcomed King Kalākaua with a state dinner on December 22, 1874, which was also the first White House state dinner ever held. This lavish event was meticulously planned, featuring decorations of flowers, crystal decanters, and special Limoges china, described by newspapers as "brilliant beyond all precedent". The visit was not just a social affair; it had substantial diplomatic importance, leading to the negotiation and eventual signing of the Reciprocity Treaty in 1875, which allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the U.S. market duty-free. King Kalākaua's journey across the United States and his reception by Congress in a first-ever joint meeting highlighted the cultural and political significance of his visit. His stay in Washington, D.C., from November 1874 to February 1875, was pivotal in strengthening ties between the two nations at a time when such relations were crucial for Hawaii's economy, particularly its burgeoning sugar industry.

🇺🇦 Reported as Russian casualties during yesterday's atfack in the Kursk direction

🇺🇦 Since a few days, a new tactical sign is appearing on Ukrainian vehicles along the border.

🇷🇺 There is an increased activity on Russian bases in Lybia, likely in advance of Russia abandoning its bases in Syria

The Government of Argentina has decided to lower the minimum age for the authorization to carry firearms to 18. The measure was adopted through Decree 1081/2024, published in the Official Gazette, which modifies Article 55 of the National Law on Weapons and Explosives 20.429: the latter set the minimum age for carrying firearms at 21.

Apprehensions along the U.S.-Canada border in Vermont, New Hampshire and portions of New York nearly tripled over the last year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

When Justin LeBlanc’s sons set up game cameras on their family farm in Newport Center, they weren’t looking to document illegal border crossings. But over several nights, that’s exactly what they captured.

The first images were recorded Sunday, just hours after the trail cameras were installed near the intersection of Leadville Road and Lake Road. The following night, a second camera in the same area captured another group, including what appeared to be several men led by a man wearing a turban.

The first significant military action of the American Revolution happened on December 14 and 15, 1774, at Fort William and Mary in New Castle, New Hampshire, an event known as the "Portsmouth Alarm." Tensions between the American colonies and British authorities had been escalating, especially after the Intolerable Acts were passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. Reports had reached New Hampshire that British troops might be moving from Boston to Fort William and Mary to secure its munitions, which included a substantial supply of gunpowder. Paul Revere warned Portsmouth about these plans on December 13, 1774, prompting local Patriot leaders to mobilize around 400 militiamen from areas like Exeter, Durham, and Dover. On December 14, these militiamen marched to New Castle and arrived at the fort, which was manned by only a small group of British soldiers under Captain John Cochran. Around 3:30 PM, the militiamen demanded the surrender of the fort's gunpowder, and after some resistance, they overran the fort, capturing about 100 barrels of gunpowder which they took away. The following day, December 15, another group of militiamen returned to the fort, taking more supplies including muskets, cannons, and additional gunpowder. The British soldiers, overwhelmed, surrendered without significant resistance, although there was some shooting, resulting in one militiaman being slightly wounded but no fatalities. The captured supplies were distributed among local militias, significantly aiding their later resistance against British forces. This event was one of the first overt acts of rebellion, signaling the colonies' readiness to transition from political protest to armed resistance, heightening tensions that would lead to the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775.