Author: Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

linkedin.com/in/samantha-v-franco

Spencer Repeating Rifle + John T. Wilder

The Spencer Repeating Rifle Saved ‘A Thousand Lives’ During the Battle of Hoover’s Gap

When the Spencer Repeating Rifle was first recommended to the US Department of War, it was turned away due to the notion it would be…

Grumman F-14 Tomcat taking off

Grumman F-14 Tomcat: The Versatile Fighter Made For Top Gun Pilots

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is one of the most iconic aircraft to ever be operated by the US Navy, with it serving as the primary…

Exterior of Malbork Castle

History of Malbork Castle: From the Teutonic Knights to the Second World War

Malbork Castle has a long and rich history that makes it deserving of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century castle is…

Still from 'Apocalypse Now' + Bruce Willis as Lt. A.K. Waters in 'Tears of the Sun' + Clint Eastwood as Gunnery Sgt. Tom "Gunny" Highway in 'Heartbreak Ridge'

Fictional Military Leaders We’d Follow Into Battle

When it comes to military movies, directors can get a little carried away with the heroism of leaders. This list of fictional military leaders showcases…

Soldiers using flamethrowers during the Battle of Cantigny

The Battle of Cantigny Forever Changed the US Military

The Battle of Cantigny was the first great American victory of the First World War. With a military that was under-trained and ill-prepared, a win…

A mushroom cloud.

November 1st, 1952: The First Large Hydrogen Bomb is Dropped by the US

On November 1, 1952, the United States took a major step in nuclear weapons development by successfully testing its first hydrogen bomb, codenamed Mike. This…

Steve McQueen as Capt. Virgil "The Cooler King" Hilts in 'The Great Escape' + Harvey Keitel as Winston "The Wolf" Wolfe in 'Pulp Fiction'

Famous Marines: 9 Celebrities Who Served In the US Marine Corps

Throughout the history of the US Marine Corps, there’ve been many Leathernecks who’ve gained fame through impressive feats of bravery and valor. There are also…

Troops walking toward a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw + Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly taking off

Korean War Helicopters That Were Vital to Those Serving In the Conflict

Samantha Franco

The Korean War took place between 1950-53 and saw the UN coalition forces operate a plethora of military vehicles, including helicopters. The United States, in…

Illustrated portrait of King Charles II.

Today in History: September 6th, 1651

King Charles II Takes Refuge in the Royal Oak On September 6th, 1651, an extraordinary event in English history unfolded as King Charles II sought…

Challenger 1 tank parked

A British Challenger 1 Set the Record for the Longest Tank-on-Tank Kill in 1991

The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 tank had a rocky start. It wasn’t very reliable and had a poor rate of fire. As such, a lot of…

Headshot of Charles Bronson wearing a cowboy hat.

Today in History: August 30th, 2003

Legendary “tough guy” Charles Bronson passes away On this day in history, August 30, 2003, Hollywood lost one of its toughest stars, Charles Bronson. Known…

Hughes OH-6 Cayuse parked in a field

Despite Being Prone to Crashing, the Loach Helicopter Was Favored By Pilots In Vietnam

The Hughes OH-6 Cayuse was a revolutionary rotorcraft operated during the Vietnam War. Adopted after the company behind its design deceived the US Army, the…