Today in History

[Lean'n'mean]

On this day in 1957, frisbees were born. The toy company 'wham-o' produced the first batch of the aerodynamic plastic discs.

On this day in 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell, became the first officially recognized woman M.D. in the U.S.

On this day in 1976, actor, singer & activist, Paul Robeson, died from complications following a stroke, aged 77.

 

[MisterCairo]

I wouldn't argue that, the civilian deaths are what they are. The cause of their demise is for others to debate.

Not much of a debate IMHO. The United Nations placed it squarely on Saddam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_678

 

[Peacoat]

Today's date in 1965 we lost Winston Churchill to a blood clot in the brain (stroke).

 

[GHT]

Today's date in 1965 we lost Winston Churchill to a blood clot in the brain (stroke).

Churchill's coffin was carried by barge for some of the journey to his final resting place. When the flotilla passed the docks, the stevedores lowered the crane gibs. It has since been said that it was all contrived, but that gets very political. The sight of those cranes was both moving and theatrical.

 

[Peacoat]

They may have planned it in advance, but that doesn't take away from how moving it was.

Rest In Peace, Sir Winston.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

When the flotilla passed the docks, the stevedores lowered the crane gibs. It has since been said that it was all contrived, but that gets very political.

Of course it was planned, there were at least two camera crews in position to film it. It would be very naive to believe that state funerals weren't organized from A-Z. I fail to see though, how lowering cranes can become political.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

On this day in 1905, the world's largest diamond was mined in Pretoria, South Africa. The 3,106-carat stone weighed 1.33 lbs ( 621.2 grams) & was named ' Cullinan'

On this day in 1924, the first winter olympics was launched which was held in Chamonix, France.

On this day in 1759, the Scottish poet Robert Burns, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland.
And a happy Robbie Burns night to all Caledonians reading this.

 

[Fading Fast]

Churchill's coffin was carried by barge for some of the journey to his final resting place. When the flotilla passed the docks, the stevedores lowered the crane gibs. It has since been said that it was all contrived, but that gets very political. The sight of those cranes was both moving and theatrical.

Still something very cool about it.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

On this day in 1986, the space shuttle, Challenger, blew up 73 seconds after lift off killing all 7 passengers. Amoung them was a civilian, Christie McAuliffe, a 37 year old high school social studies teacher, who had gained her place on board by winning a competition. She was set to be the first civilian in space.

On this day in 1813, Jane Austen's, Pride and Prejudice, was published.

On this day in 1985, under the direction of Quincy Jones, several dozen American singers assembled to record, 'We are the world.'

 

[MissMittens]

Today in 1547 Henry the Eighth of England permanently stopped killing and divorcing his wives. He died.

Today in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first national television appearance, on CBS's "Stage Show," which was a variety show presented by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey

 

[LizzieMaine]

On this date in 1958, the Lego block was patented. On January 29, 1958 the first person stepped on a Lego block and hopped around yelling "G-D it!!!!!"

 

[MissMittens]

On this date in 1958, the Lego block was patented. On January 29, 1958 the first person stepped on a Lego block and hopped around yelling "G-D it!!!!!"

And they were making a waffle for breakfast at the time, spawning the "Lego my Eggo" marketing campaign several years later, lol!!!

^*fake news

 

[Lean'n'mean]

On this day in 1958, Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward married.

On this day in 1820, King George lll died aged 81.

On this day in 1861, Kansas joined the union & became the 34th state.

On this day in 1845, Edgar Allan Poe's poem, 'The Raven' was published.

On this day in 1962, Peter, Paul & Mary, sign their first recording contract.

 

[MissMittens]

Today in 1886, German inventor KarlBenz patented the world's first vehicle with internal combustion engine, the Benz Motorwagen.

In 1929 on this day, the Seeing Eye Guide Dog society was formed in the US, the world's first association for training and providing dogs for the blind and visually impaired.

 

[LizzieMaine]

On this date in 1936, the first five honorees for the National Baseball Hall of Fame as chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America were announced in Cooperstown, New York: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. Although these five would head any list of the "greatest baseball players of their era," none of them were unanimous selections. Cobb led the field with 98.2 percent of the votes cast, with a minimum of 75 percent required for induction. Old-timers grumbled that the immortal Bob "Death To Flying Things" Ferguson wasn't even nominated. But Arlie "The Freshest Man On Earth" Latham did get one vote.

There wasn't yet an actual Hall of Fame building to house the honorees' plaques -- the actual structure wouldn't be dedicated until 1939.

 

[vitanola]

On this day in 1820, King Edward lll died aged 81.

Slight typo there. I'm sure that you intended to write "George III".

Edward met his reward in 1377

 

[Fading Fast]

On this date in 1936, the first five honorees for the National Baseball Hall of Fame as chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America were announced in Cooperstown, New York: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. Although these five would head any list of the "greatest baseball players of their era," none of them were unanimous selections. Cobb led the field with 98.2 percent of the votes cast, with a minimum of 75 percent required for induction. Old-timers grumbled that the immortal Bob "Death To Flying Things" Ferguson wasn't even nominated. But Arlie "The Freshest Man On Earth" Latham did get one vote.

There wasn't yet an actual Hall of Fame building to house the honorees' plaques -- the actual structure wouldn't be dedicated until 1939.

So Honus Wagner actually existed as a person and not just as a baseball card.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Yep. He was a coach for the Pirates for many years after his retirement, right up to his death in 1955, and during games he used to sneak out to one of the bars near Forbes Field -- in full uniform -- and trade autographed balls for beers.

After his death, his heirs were going thru his stuff and found, in the pocket of an old pair of uniform pants, an uncut proof strip of tobacco cards including That Card.

That's Three Finger Brown to the left of Wagner, and two faces to the right, that's Cy Young. Pretty snazzy company there.

 

[Peacoat]

Interesting, Lizzie. Like Fading Fast I thought he only existed as a baseball card. Didn't know he was a real person, and certainly didn't know he lived until 1955. The things we can learn from this thread.

This date in 1926 Violette Neatley Anderson became the first African-American woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Slight typo there. I'm sure that you intended to write "George III".

Edward met his reward in 1377

Oops.....mad George thanks you.