On this day in history, several significant events took place that continue to resonate today.

**November 11, 1864 – The Destruction of Atlanta Begins**
On orders from Union General William T. Sherman, Union soldiers began destroying all railroads, factories, and commercial buildings in Atlanta, Georgia. This campaign was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War, aiming to cripple the Confederacy’s ability to wage war.

**November 11, 1918 – The War to End All Wars Ends**
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I came to an end. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, exhausted by manpower losses and dwindling supplies and facing imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France.

Originally celebrated as Armistice Day, this occasion was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to honor all American veterans, not just those who served in World War I. Today, we take a moment to honor all those who have put their lives on the line defending our freedoms.

**November 11, 1922 – The Birth of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.**
On this day, author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Vonnegut masterfully blended fantasy, science fiction, and postmodernism in his satirical novels. One of his most famous works, *Slaughterhouse-Five* (1969), draws from his harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war during the firebombing of Dresden, Germany, in World War II—a war that proved World War I was not truly “the war to end all wars.”

**Today’s Feature:**
Explore Vonnegut’s brilliant explanation of the “shape of stories,” a fascinating insight into narrative structure that has influenced countless writers and readers alike.

—

**Additional Reads and Updates:**
– Digby’s Hullabaloo: Spelunking With Democrats
– The Mahablog: The Further Adventures of Princess Donald
– The Nation: Abortion Bans Are Never Just About Abortion

**Attention Space Enthusiasts:**
NASA is currently CLOSED due to a lapse in government funding. Stay tuned for updates on their operating status.

—

*Round Up by driftglass of the Professional Left Podcast and Science Fiction University.*

Have tips or story ideas? Send them to: mbru (AT) crooksandliars (DOT) com.
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/11/mike-s-blog-round-1