I also like to read historic headlines on the date I am on patrol.
I Google up the date and find old newspapers, see who is doing what in music, what shows are in movie theaters, what era advertising I can find - like cars, washing machines, cigarettes - even supermarket prices!
Gets one into the groove of the period.
Today (on my historic patrol timeline) I find an assassination attempt in Hitler is foiled. Read that for a bit. The men at sea had no idea. I have been on patrol for a bit and did not know the invasion of France happened. No radio message came in while at sea.
We just eat slop, pick out maggots, the bilge smells and I am going topside for air and slap some salt water on my face!
