When I moved back to Washington State, it was news to me that the Twilight saga that “everyone” was reading took place in the town of Forks, and the running joke was that was why I was moving back to the Pacific Northwest. I have made it a point to shun the vampire genre, but thankfully, I had already agreed to watch Van […]

I salute all veterans of the U.S. on today–Memorial Day–but today’s feature does not relate to this day of remembrance.  On this date in 1969, Apollo 10 returned to earth.  It was the dress rehearsal for Apollo 11’s landmark moon landing, and it certainly accomplished its goal of testing all equipment for that upcoming significant mission.  I was surprised to […]

It was on this date in 1705, that Isaac Newton was knighted by Queen Anne.  He was only the second scientist to receive this honor. For more info: http://www.historychannel.com.au/classroom/day-in-history/553/isaac-newton-is-knighted http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_Isaac_Newton_become_Sir_Isaac_Newton

It was on this date in 1981, that the first space shuttle Columbia landed successfully after a 2-day mission. For more info: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/first_landing.html http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia

On this date in 1839, the scientist James Mason Crafts was born in Boston, Massachussetts.  His name may only be familiat to scientists, his work includes important work mainly within the confines of organic chemistry.  He worked with Charles Friedel in France, and tha is where much of his best research was done.  They are known for creating new element […]

You may be familiar with Galileo Galilei, and on this date in 1616, he was presented with an injunction from the Spanish Inquisition.  Unfprtunately, the result of all this was that Galileo had to reverse his theory that the earth revolved around the sun.  No wonder the church is traditionally seen as backward in the field of science.  This was […]

How often do you use the windshield wipers on your car?  Are you grateful you have them in the middle of a bad storm?  I know I am!  And I did not realize the history behind this essential item.  On a trip to New York City one winter, Mary Anderson of Birmingham, Alabama was in a trolley car trying to […]

I was completely amazed concerning today’s feature.  It was on this date in 1797, that Andrew Garnerin made the first recorded parachute jump without a rigid frame.  He jumped from a hot air balloon as high as 8000 feet in the air.  He was the only also the inventor of the air vent in a parachute which helped to reduce […]

I am so happy that I  can verify today’s fact so easily!  On this date in 1824, Joseph Aspdin first patented his Portland cement.  This is still an important  patent today.   His cement mixture replaced the heavier and weaker cement mixes of the past.  He actually performed his experiment in the kitchen–amazing!  He was from England, and this cement was […]

I would say that most of us remember this hurricane quite vividly.  Hurricane Katrina had formed over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, and it southern Florida as a Category 1 hurricane.  But it wasn’t done.  It strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico, and it became a Category 5.  On this date in 2005, Hurricane Katrina made its second hit […]