I have actually visited today’s feature, and on this date in 1869, Big Ben (in the Tower of Westminster) marked its first turn of the hour.  Many people call the tower “Big Ben,” but as I learned from my friend in England, Big Ben is the name of the bell.   It is indeed an iconic building that contains one of […]

It was on this date in 1922 that my favorite president was memorialized for all time.  That is correct–the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated, and it is one of the things in Washington D.C. that I would love to see.  That is, if I ever make it there.  For now, a picture will have to suffice. Visit the following link to […]

It was on this date in 1848 that Wisconsin became the thirtieth state to be admitted into the United States.  This year is known as the year that “When America Came to Age.”  I don’t believe I have ever visited there–maybe one day I’ll see it for myself. For more info: http://famousdaily.com/history/wisconsin-30th-state.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin

Let me say at the outset that I am not an Ernest Hemingway fan.  I understand and appreciate the fact that he was a great author in spite of his troubled life, but I never found his writing style interesting.  Often the stories were better than the writing style.  But that is just my opinion.  On this date in 1934, […]

This was not an easy one to research today–not all sites appear to agree or give the same information.  However, it appears to be true that on this date in 1919, Glenn Curtiss flew the Curtiss NC-4 landed in Lisbon, Portugal, thus completing the first successful trans-Atlantic flight.  He had begun nineteen days before at New York, and this was […]

I only know this man from Star Wars, but he had an extensive horror movie career.  On this date in 1913, Peter Cushing was born.  His first job was as a surveyor’s assistant in Surrey, England, but he was best known for his roles in The Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula.  But for me, he will always be Tarkin in […]

Here’s something I definitely did not know.  Henry the Navigator (Prince of Portugal) became administrator general in the Order of Christ on this date in 1420.  This is a position he retained until his death.  And what does this mean?  It was a source of funds throughout his lifetime as he explored various throughout Africa and the Atlantic Islands.   From […]

I found this quite intriguing this morning.  Remember the bomb scare of the 1950’s and 1960’s?  (I don’t mean you had to live through it–I didn’t, but I know of it.)  On this date in 1959, the first personal bomb shelter was constructed.  It was in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania.   Check out the map of this historic area below.     […]

I think I had heard this somewhere, but we have Benjamin Franklin to thank for bifocals, or so the story goes.  Franklin was getting old, and it was becoming difficult for him to see.  On this date in 1785, he sent a letter to an optician in London that suggested that he developed the idea for bifocals.  While there is […]

I remember this day.  I never watched The Tonight Show, but I knew all about it.  My mom used to watch it when she was first married since my dad had the night shift.  She said he was always the greatest, and indeed what I have watched and read about Johnny Carson lead me to the same conclusion.  On this […]