World Trade Center - HISTORY

New Yorkers reflect on what the symbol of the Twin Towers meant to them and to the world.

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Russell Mitchell gives us a recap of some of the major historical events that occurred on February 26th in this video clip from This Day in History. From Napoleon Bonaparte, to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels this date has historical significance. Both the Grand Canyon and the Teton Mountains were preserved as National Parks on this day a decade apart. Also on this day was the first attack on the Twin Towers, which led to it's later attack on September 11, 2001.

Find out about the assault of the Japanese Center Force during World War II.

A brief explanation of why the towers collapsed on 9/11.

In a Mail Call video, R. Lee Ermey answers a question from Mark of Kansas who wants to know what was in a World War I backpack. Ermey reveals that on top of all the other hardships WWI soldiers had to endure, their backpacks proved to be another annoyance. Men from the Great War Historical Society strapped on the WWI packs and completed some drills; by the end, they definitely felt the WWI soldiers pain. The bottom section of the backpack, known as the diaper, was detachable and carried the soldiers blanket, shelter half, and shelter half pole and pins. On the belt youd find ammo, a first aid kit, a canteen cover, and a canteen and cup. Inside the flaps were a baking tin, a condiment can, and boxes of bread rations. Also inside the flaps were a towel, soap dish, shaving kit, handkerchief, foot powder, and extra socks. Attached to the outside were the bayonet, shovel, trenching tool, and a mess kit. The entire weight of the pack lies entirely on the soldiers shoulders, making it very uncomfortable. If a soldier wanted to get anything out of his pack, he would have to stop, unravel everything, get what he needs, and then pack everything back up. Due to the placement of the bayonet, most soldiers would have to have a buddy put it back for them.

Meant to exhibit the "World of Tomorrow," the 1939 World's Fair in New York City tried to predict what life would be like beyond the 20th century. "Elektro" is a perfect example - a humanoid robot who could enjoy a cigarette while cracking a joke.

In a Mail Call video, R. Lee Ermey answers a question from Tom of Kansas, who wants to know what the biggest gun in the world is. Ermey says to answer this question you first have to define what you mean by big; for we all know that guns like Big Bertha and Anzio Annie are big, but if you are talking total weight and size of the shell, then they are not the biggest. The Gustav gun created by the Germans, takes the cake on this one with an 80cm barrel. The Germans first used this gun in World War II; it was designed to pulverize French defensive bunkers in the early days of the war.

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