On this date in 1911, the first aircraft landed on a ship.  This act was carried out by Eugene B. Ely in San Francisco Bay. He landed successfully on a makeshift wooden platform on top of the USS Pennsylvania, an armored cruiser. For more info: http://www.usspennsylvania.com/flattop.htm http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FirstAircraftLandingOnAShip101YearsAgo_206050-1.html http://www.glenncurtiss.com/first_landing_on_a_ship.htm http://famousdaily.com/history/first-aircraft-landing-on-ship.html

On this date in 1806, the first child was born at the White House (although it looked different back then, and it was called the President’s House).  He was the second son of  James Madison Randolph, and Martha Jefferson Randolph.  She was visiting her father for the second time.   Like most of his brothers, his grandfather put him through the […]

Intriguing bit of history today.  On this date in 1776, General George Washington permitted African-Americans who were free and had prior military experience to join the Revolutionary War army.  I honestly didn’t know this happened, and even though slavery was abundant, it’s nice to know that African-Americans were at least a part of the Revolutionary War! For more information: http://famousdaily.com/history/george-washington-allows-enlistment-blacks.html […]

On this date in 2001, guess what!  Wikipedia began!  In spit of everything, Wikipedia is still one of the most popular sites on the net.  For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia

In light of the upcoming Super Bowl {which has gone crazy in Washington State due to the Seahawks record}, I found today’s feature somewhat intriguing.  On this date in 1973, the Miami Dolphins became the first undefeated NFL team in history.  They beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VIII.  For more info: http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/undefeated-dolphins-beat-redskins-in-super-bowl-vii

Before Disney made a big splash with Mickey Mouse on the big screen, he began with a comic strip featuring the character.  On this date in 1930, Mickey Mouse made his début as a comic strip in the newspaper.  His struggling cartoon studio was under contract to Universal Studios.  He didn’t own the rights to Oswald nor Lucky Rabbit cartoons; […]

Remember Dolly the Sheep?  As you’re probably aware, cloning is a controversial topic, and on this date in 1998, nineteen European nations voted to ban human cloning.  This ban was announced about the same time that genetic scientists suggested that it may be possible to replace human organs with cloned organs.  This could have opened up the door to growing […]

I’ll be that you might be surprised  how this building figures into today’s feature.  On this date in 1759, the first life insurance company in the U.S. was incorporated.  Presbyterian Synods of New York and Philadelphia were  the founders, and its purpose was to provide for Presbyterian widows.  Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company acquired it 1994, and in 2002, Nationwide […]

  Okay, you might be surprised about my interest in today’s feature.  On this date in 1945, Rod Stewart was born.  And, yes, I am a Rod Stewart fan.  I could go on and on about his personal life–quite  extensive.  He has had his share of women, and I know he is getting older.  But his voice is still pretty […]

I know quite a bit about the Civil War, but this act was news to me.  On this date in 1861, the first hostile act of the Civil War occurred.  The steamship Star of the West entered Charleston Harbor, and it was fired upon immediately.  The captain had no choice but to order a retreat, and thankfully the ship survived […]