January 12, 2026: American Citizens Are Told To Evacuate Iran NOW

BREAKING NEWS FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IN REFERENCE TO IRAN: American citizens are told to evacuate Iran NOW (I am not sure why they are there at all).  The accessible land borders are Armenia, Turkey and Turkmenistan.  Azerbaijan is not a viable choice at present.  American-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports due to likely detention and interrogation of U.S. nationals by regime members.  The Switzerland Embassy's Foreign Interests Section in Tehran can be a last resort.  Specifics are in the attached link.  NOTE: Changes can happen by the minute.  The webpage is listed as January 13, 2026 because it is already the 13th in Iran.

The website with full information: 

https://ir.usembassy.gov/iran-security-alert-land-border-crossings-january-12-2026

#iranrevolution #iranianrevolution #iranazadi #iranuprising #iranianuprising #iranprotest #iranprotests #iranfight #fightforiran #fight4iran #trumpiran #iranianfreedommovement

20260107: A Call For Chants And Slogans In Support Of The Protesters In Iran This Thursday And Friday

Dorood!  Dorood Bar Shoma!  Chetori?  Namme man hast Michael.

Hello, everyone.  This is Michael.  It is January 07, 2026.  RPII - Reza Pahlavi The Second has called for everyone, on the streets or within their homes, to provide chants and slogans at 08:00 PM this Thursday and Friday, January 08 and 09.  This is an important step in supporting the Iranians on the streets and also aiding in the impeding doom of the mullah regime.  As some of you know (on various social media and blog websites), I have supported the Iranian protesters ever since the Green Movement days.  Remember that?  In 2009, I took an interest in, what would be, the disputed election and the subsequent demonstrations and brutal crackdown by the regime.  In that era, I used to spend spent hours a week if not hours a day reading and researching and learning about the reality on the ground in Iran.  Every September from 2009 to 2013, I attended the Freedom For Iran demonstrations near the United Nations building in New York.  I stopped in 2013 because, at that point, they were mujahedin parties.  Those of you who were present back then ... you know exactly what I am talking about.  Since that time, I continued to follow what was happening in Iran.  Right now, this is as close as it has ever gotten to the fall of the ayatoilet and the mullahs.  Azadi Baraye Iran.  Mag Bar Dictator.  Mamnoon.  Sepas.  I hope to see all of you on January 08 and January 09 either on the streets or in your home.  Thank you, everyone.  Goodbye.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/4VScO8MHL2g

#iran #iranmovement #freedomforiran #IranFreedom #iranfreedommovement #azadi #azadibarayeiran #magbardictator #greenmovement #freedom4iran #pahlavi #shah #theshah #rezapahlavi #rezapahlavi2 #rezapahlaviii #iranshah #iranianfreedom #persian #persia #mullah #mullahs #ayatollah #ayatoilet #dirtymullahs #dirtymullah #supportiran #iranprotesters #iranianprotesters

2026 Twelfth Night Celebration With A 1700s Wassail Drink Recipe Vegan And Organic

It is January 05, 2026.  This evening, I am celebrating Twelfth Night.  Have you heard the song "The Twelve Days Of Christmas"?  This is the Twelfth Day.  In honor of the occasion, I have brewed a traditional 1700s-style wassail drink.  The ingredients include water, cane sugar, cranberries, blueberries, apples, orange, nutmeg, clove, ginger, cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.  This drink is vegan and organic.

First, I boiled the water, sugar and cranberries as if I were to make cranberry sauce.  I did just that and then added water to the top of the pot creating cranberry juice.  I then transferred that juice to a pot containing the remaining ingredients.

As it was boiling, the aroma was magnificent.  The stairwell nearby smelled like an all-natural air freshener.  The taste is just as wonderful.

I thank all of you for watching, and I wish you a very Happy Twelfth Night.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/qF-FvwEsA_M

Photographs ...

#twelfthnight #twelfthnightcelebration #1700stwelfthnight #vegan #organic #veganrecipe #vegandrink #organicrecipe #organicdrink #fruitdrink #wassail #wassaildrink #veganwassaildrink #organicwassaildrink #spices #spiceddrink #fruitspices #fruitandspices #1700sstyle #1700sattire #1700sreenactor #1700sreenacting #1700srecipe #18thcenturyrecipe #twelfthnightrecipe #12daysofchristmas #twelvedaysofchristmas #nutmegrecipe #cloverecipe #cloversrecipe #gingerrecipe #cinnamonrecipe #cinnamonsticks

GrossMos! Flying Dino By MGA Entertainment, Inc. Toy Review On January 04, 2026

It is January 04, 2026, and I have a toy review for you.  I purchased a GrossMos! Flying Dino by MGA Entertainment, Inc. toward the end of last year.  It is wild and crazy and spontaneous to an extent.

*The battery cover must be removed via the small screw

*The toy requires three AAA batteries

*There are three dinos in the series in blind box fashion

*The instructions will mention the taping and the timing

*The dino will fly out quickly and in a haphazard manner so much space is needed

*It will fly for a long time ... longer than I had anticipated

*The toy cost $9.99 plus tax

My verdict: It is very cool.  I mentioned that it was very good in the video.  Now that I have had time to think, I give it a review of excellent.  It does what it advertises itself to do with a surprising amount of in-air time.  I thought that it would be merely up and down similar to a parachute soldier.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/u82LiQtghMk

Photographs ...

#toyreview #dinosaurtoy #flyingdinosaur #flyingdinosaurtoy #cooltoy #dinosaurtoyreview #mga #mgaentertainment #mgaentertainmentinc #grossmos #mgagrossmos #grossmosmga #grossmosdino #grossmosflyingdino #grossmostoy #grossmosreview #reviewtoy #toyreviews #dinosaurtoys #flyingtoy #flyingtoys

A Twelfth Night Celebration At Hancock House In Hancock's Bridge, NJ On January 03, 2026

Hancock House in Hancock's Bridge, New Jersey hosted its annual "A Twelfth Night Celebration" late this past afternoon into this evening.  This 1700s celebration is part of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" that will be familiar to most of you.  Some of you will recall my visit to Hancock House for last year's Twelfth Night event (Link: https://michael-the-researcher.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-twelfth-night-celebration-at-hancock.html ).

Hancock House was built in 1734 and was the site of the bayonet killing of multiple people by British troops called "Queen’s Rangers" on March 21, 1778.  I will trek back to the house on March 21, 2028 for the semiquincentennial of this Revolutionary War massacre.

As for tonight, one theme was the burning of tea to protest the controversial tax.  Music was performed by "Forbes Road Frolic".  The recorded songs are "The Ash Grove", "Nottingham Ale" and "O, Good Ale".  I listened to a mix of songs on the way to the event, and one of those songs was "Nottingham Ale".  I mentioned that to the band.  A little girl and a little boy liked the outfit that I wore.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/CvM8e6s8bak

Photographs ...

I took part in the tea-burning reenactment:

The cabin to the side of Hancock House had festivities as well:

Relevant links:

https://www.facebook.com/FOHHNJ

https://dep.nj.gov/parksandforests/state-park/hancock-house

https://www.roamyourhome.com/hancock-house-historic-site-a-revolutionary-war-massacre

#semiquincentennial #revolution #revolutionary #revolutionarywar #americanrevolution

#americanhistory #history #historical #ushistory #unitedstateshistory #colonial #colonialperiod #colonialamerica #1700sattire #1700s #18thcentury #hancocksbridgenj #eighteenthcentury #centuryclothing #hancockhousenj #hancockhouse #historylovers #historicalplace #historyoftheunitedstates #colonialamericana #hancocksbridge #twelfthnight #twelfthnightcelebration #12daysofchristmas #twelvedaysofchristmas 

Historical Outings And Other Events For 2026

Another year of events and outings.  2026 will be a big one - the 250th anniversary of the Declaration Of Independence along with other semiquincentennial events pertaining to the Revolutionary War.  Various topics and themes including several areas of collecting are represented as well.  This list will be routinely updated as the year progresses.

January

03 Train Show in Deptford, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2708448122822951/2708448226156274

03 A 1700s Twelfth Night Celebration in Hancock's Bridge, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/832539156324801

04 $1 Admission Art Museum in Philadelphia, PA.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1986840405124495/?event_time_id=1986840448457824

05 Twelfth Night Observance (My Event)

08 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

09 Fire And Frost Fun in Lahaska, PA.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2152023408942286/2152023412275619

10 1700s Twelfth Night Party in Wayne, NJ.  Info:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1601226377520117

11 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ.  Info:  https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

15 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

17 Stamp Show in Burlington, NJ.  Info: https://dutchcountryauctions.com/calendar/category/stamp-shows/list

17 Freedom For Iran Demonstration - White House (North Side) in Washington, DC 02:00 PM

18 Freedom For Iran Demonstration - Washington Square Park in New York City, NY 01:00 PM

18 Train Show in Deptford, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2708448122822951/2708448226156274

22 Hot Sauce Day

30 Motorcycle Convention in Atlantic City, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2327651267750234

31 Fire And Ice Festival in Mount Holly, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1901914680412879

February

08 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ.  Info: https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

12 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

14 Crafts And Collectibles Show in Cape May, NJ.  Info: https://capemaymac.org/crafts-and-collectibles

19 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

26 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

March

07 Maple Sugar Festival in Chatham Township, NJ. Info: https://www.morrisparks.net/events/maple-sugar-festival

12 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

19 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

20 Train Show in Valley Forge, PA.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2139633723129685

26 Sky-Viewing Event (with a 20-Inch Telescope) in Piscataway, NJ. Info: https://observatory.rutgers.edu

April

11 Great War (World War I) Living History Weekend in Pennsville, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/887185643830077

12 Great War (World War I) Living History Weekend in Pennsville, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/887185643830077

18 Renaissance Faire in Galloway, NJ.  Info: https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events

19 Renaissance Faire in Galloway, NJ.  Info: https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events

May

02 Colonial Mayfair in Pottstown, PA.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1872353196986119

08 220th Anniversary Of The Death Of Robert Morris in Philadelphia, PA (My Event)

18 AdventureFest in Galloway, NJ.  Info: https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events

17 AdventureFest in Galloway, NJ.  Info: https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events

30 Gem, Jewelry, Mineral And Fossil Show in Cherry Hill, NJ.  Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/825394376667359

June

05 World War II Weekend in Reading, PA.  Info: https://maam.org/wwii

06 World War II Weekend in Reading, PA.  Info: https://maam.org/wwii

07 World War II Weekend in Reading, PA.  Info: https://maam.org/wwii

11 250th Anniversary Of The Start Of The Drafting Of The Declaration Of Independence.  Info: https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/declarationhouse.htm

14 Coin Show in Burlington, NJ.  Info: https://www.burlingtoncoinshow.com

28 250th Anniversary Of The Presentation Of The Declaration Of Independence To Congress.  Info: https://www.nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/declarationhouse.htm

29 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Battle Of Turtle Gut Inlet in Wildwood Crest, NJ (Dune Drive/Seaview Avenue).  Info: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=278766 & https://cresthistory.org/battle-of-turtle-gut & https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=250401

July

02 250th Anniversary Of The Colonies Severing Ties With Great Britain.

04 250th Anniversary Of The Approval Of The Declaration Of Independence.

19 250th Anniversary Of The Resolution Of The Declaration Of Independence.

August

27 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Battle Of Brooklyn in Long Island, NY.  Info: http://www.nyfreedom.com/BattlePass.htm & https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/mount-holly

September

15 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Landing At Kip's Bay in Manhattan, NY.  Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_at_Kip's_Bay

October

03 Oktoberfest in Galloway, NJ.  Info: https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events

31 Halloween

November

21 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Retreat From Fort Lee To New Bridge Landing Reenactment in Fort Lee, NJ.  Info: https://www.brigade.org/schedule

December

05 Dickens Festival in Medford, NJ.  Info: https://mainstreetmedford.com

22 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Battle Of Petticoat Bridge in Burlington County, NJ.  Info: https://www.battlefields.org/visit/battlefields/petticoat-bridge & https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/mount-holly & https://revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/springfield_nj_burlington_county_revolutionary_war_sites.htm#springfieldburlington-petticoatbridge

23 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Battle Of Iron Works Hill in Mount Holly, NJ.  Info: https://revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/mount_holly_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

25 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Washington's Crossing in Titusville, NJ.  Info: https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org

26 250th Anniversary: Revolutionary War Battle Of Trenton in Trenton, NJ.  Info: https://patriotsweek.com

27-31 Patriots Week in Trenton, NJ.  Info: https://patriotsweek.com

The 250th Anniversary Of The Revolutionary War's Burning Of Norfolk, Virginia On January 01, 2026

Hello everyone.  This is Michael.  It is January 01, 2026.  The Revolutionary War Semiquincentennial continues.  The Burning Of Norfolk, Virginia took place, on this day, 250 years ago.

In this video, I am going to discuss the pertinent facts:

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/U7LzAmPChbE

The Burning Of Norfolk occurred on January 01, 1776 in Norfolk, Virginia.

The British opened fire on the city.

 

Loyalist properties were targeted proving that  both sides engaged in the destruction.

The additional destruction of the city by the Patriots was to deprive the British of supplies.

In the end, the Patriots caused more damage than the British.

A side of St. Paul's Episcopal Church was hit with a cannonball.  

The cannonball remained embedded in the church until the 1830s.

The cannonball was supposedly rediscovered on the premises and re-embedded in the church's wall in the 1840s.

This video is similar to the Bicentennial Minute clips that some of you may have seen in the 1970s.  From The Bicentennial to The Semiquincentennial, I thank all of you for watching and continuing to observe the 250th anniversary of The American Revolution.

#semiquincentennial #bisesquicentennial #sestercentennial #quartermillennial #revolution #revolutionary #revolutionarywar #americanrevolution #americanhistory #history #historical #ushistory #unitedstateshistory #colonial #colonialperiod #colonialamerica #1775 #1700s #18thcentury #americanrevolutionarywar #revolutionarywaranniversary #eighteenthcentury #virginia #virginia250 #virginia250th #norfolk #sestercentennialcelebration #americanrevolutionarywarhistory #burningofnorfolk #americanrevolutionaries #historylovers #historicalplace #historyoftheunitedstates #colonialamericana #colonialamericanhistory

The Michael The Researcher YouTube Hall Of Fame Award Induction Ceremony 2025

It is December 31, 2025.  I am very pleased to present to you The Inaugural Michael The Researcher YouTube Hall Of Fame Award Induction Ceremony.  YouTube is now twenty years old.  YouTube has existed in twenty-one different years.  It is time to create a Michael The Researcher Hall Of Fame Award.  The first recipient of The Michael The Researcher YouTube Hall Of Fame Award is ... Michael The Researcher.  Who else?  The reasoning: I have posted content in nineteen of those twenty-one years of YouTube's existence.  I am not aware of who else has had that kind of longevity.  I am not sure who has posted in nineteen, twenty or twenty-one years.  This is a very attractive document.  Quite suitable for framing.  I am going to host this award ceremony once every five years.  I initially thought to host it once a year.  There are not enough people on YouTube to merit an annual award ceremony.  I am very happy to have received this prestigious award.

Note: With this blog entry, I broke my previous record of 75 posts within a year to 76.  2014 held the record for more than a decade.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/rLVt583_UNQ

Keywords: youtubehall, youtubehalloffame, halloffame, contentcreator, earlyyoutube, youtubememories, youtube20th, youtube20, youtubeanniversary, youtube20thanniversary, oldyoutube, youtubeearlydays, youtubehistory, youtube, youtubecontent, youtubecontentcreator, youtubecreator, youtuber, earlyyoutuber, youtube20years, youtubetwenty, youtubetwentyyears

YouTube's 20th Anniversary. What Was YouTube Like In The Beginning? I Was There.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of YouTube.  Incredible to see that YouTube has been around for two decades now.  Many of us remember when it was a new website.

In those days, it was impossible to send videos to people due to the megabyte size in e-mail messages.  YouTube definitely solved that problem with the website link and url.

In addition, the embedding feature allowed me to post videos in my MySpace bulletins and elsewhere on MySpace.

What was YouTube like in the early days?  Who was on it?  YouTube was similar to the early internet with the web builders.  People would showcase their hobbies.  People would display their talents.  Some people posted crazy, wild, zany videos.  It was a platform where the little guy can put himself or herself out there and say, hey, this is what I do ... this is who I am.

YouTube content creators became celebrities early on.  The first whom I recall was a British World War II Veteran named Peter Oakley.

If that was not all, people engaged in arguments and fights and feuds in the early YouTube days as well.  Some of those videos were hilarious.

I created my first YouTube page in July of 2006.  That has been abandoned although it still exists.  I have no account access to it sadly.  I will be discussing that page more next year for my 20th anniversary on YouTube.  In all of my pages combined, and I have had a few, I have posted in every year of YouTube's existence minus 2005 and 2017.

I am sure that I am one of the very few who is still posting from those very early YouTube days.  My content has remained the same.  The same vibe.  The same theme.  Going to historical sites.  Showing objects and artifacts.  That will remain the same going forward.  I thank you for watching.  Happy Twentieth Anniversary To YouTube.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/Q_vTAwPzbCw

Keywords: earlyyoutube, youtubememories, youtube20th, youtube20, youtubeanniversary, youtube20thanniversary, oldyoutube, youtubeearlydays, youtubehistory, youtube, youtubecontent, youtubecontentcreator, youtubecreator, youtuber, earlyyoutuber, youtube20years, youtubetwenty, youtubetwentyyears

G.I. Joe Mike Power Atomic Man Action Figure 1975 To 2025 Hasbro Toy

First off ... YES, I know that I have some FrEaKy HaiR in this clip.

In this video, I present to you a photograph from fifty years ago.  I am holding a 12 inch G.I. Joe action figure of Mike Power: Atomic Man.  The photo was taken, most likely, on December 25, Christmas Day, 1975.  I discovered this photo in 2019 and was shocked to see that I was part of the original 12" G.I. Joe line from 1964 to 1976.  Absolutely extraordinary.  I waited six years for the 50th anniversary to publish it.  The Mike Power figure in the picture was given to my brother and either broke or was sold at a flea market some time later.  I purchased the Atomic Man in this post in, perhaps, 2018 so it is not the one in the photo.  Mike The Researcher and Mike Power five decades later.  This picture from a half century ago is IRREFUTABLE PROOF AND IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE that I was part of that original wave of G.I. Joe figures.  Golden Anniversary.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/Ck02cTMjc3w

#gijoe #gijoehasbro #gijoeatomicman #gijoe1975 #gijoe19641976 #atomicman #mikepower #mikepoweratomicman #atomicmanmikepower #vintagetoy #antiquetoy #vintagefigure #vintageactionfigure #antiqueactionfigure #antiquefigure #christmasgift #christmaspresent #vintage #antique #gijoevintage #gijoeantique #vintagegijoe #antiquegijoe #nightmareonelmstreet #nightmarefreddy #freddykrueger #freddykruegerelmstreet #freddykruegershirt #nightmareonelmstreetshirt #gijoeadventureteam #hasbrogijoe #adventureteam