It was on this date in 1992, that AT & T released the videophone.  And just how much did it cost? Try $1500!  The joys of technology! For  more info: http://famousdaily.com/history/att-releases-video-telephone-1499.html http://www.historyorb.com/events/january/7 http://en.cyclopaedia.net/wiki/Videotelephone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videophone#AT.26T_Picturephone:_1964

On this date in 1838, Samuel Morse demonstrated his invention–the telegraph.  It was at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey.  For more info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/morse-demonstrates-telegraph http://www.worldculturepictorial.com/blog/content/jan-6-1838-samuel-morse-1st-demonstrated-electric-telegraph-what-hath-god-wrought-1st-formal http://famousdaily.com/history/samuel-morse-demonstrates-his-new.html

On this date in 1940, FM radio was demonstrated the FCC for the first time.   Edwin Howard Armstrong was the person who demonstrated it, but his life met a very tragic end about fourteen years later.  He was financially ruined, and his mental state was not good due to legal battles and such.  He struck out at his wife, and […]

On this date in 1937, Grace Melzia-Bumbry was born.  Never heard of her?  Nor had I.  She was one of the leading opera singers of her generation, and she paved the way for African-Americans in this profession.  At  the age of 17, she won a talent contest on a St. Louis radio station.  Part of the prize was scholarship to […]

Today is the history of a momentous day in church history.  On this date in 1521, Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X.  If you know the story of the Reformation, Martin Luther was one who dared to question some of the long-held beliefs and tenets of the Roman Catholic Church.   He had defended his […]

This happened the year I was born (though I was not around yet).  On this date in 1974, President Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act into law.   This meant that the national maximum speed limit became 55.  Before that time, it was up to the states.  They could set the limits  from 40 to 80.  Cheap Arab […]

Today, we take color TV for granted, but that was not always the case.  On this date in 1953, the first color television sets (made by RCA) went on sale for a whopping $1,175.  And just two days later, the first coast-to-coast color broadcast occurred–the Tournament of Roses Parade.  As you can imagine, the majority of people could not afford […]

On this date in 1851, the very first YMCA was opened.  Boston, Massachusetts is the site of this center.  Originally, it was intended to provide a place for  British sailors who had landed in  America.  It was modeled after the very first YMCA that opened in London in 1844.  It was established as a Christian organization and emphasized things that […]

Okay, let me go on the record saying that I am not in favor of this act, and I never was.  I did attempt to sign up, but I was blessed to be able to keep my current coverage.  Otherwise, I would be paying twice as much.  But enough about that.  On this date in 2009, the Senate passed this […]

I  wasn’t aware of today’s feature.   On this date in 1954, the first successful kidney transplant occurred.  Richard Herrick had an incurable kidney disease, and his donor was his twin brother, Ronald Lee Herrick.  It was this fact (identical twin relationship) that ensured there would be no potential organ rejection.  Interestingly enough, Richard met his future wife, Clare, in the […]