Maybe you have heard of today’s feature; I certainly have but know very ittle about het.   On this date in 1909, Mary Pickford made her screen debut at the age of 16.  She and her husband Douglas Fairbanks were considered Hollywood royalty.  In 1909, she starred in 51 films, and by the time she was 24, she was earning one […]

What other day could I feature?  On this date in 1944, D-Day occurred.  Today marks the seventieth anniversary of this solemn event.  May we never forget the ultimate sacrifices that so many servicemen and women have made for our freedom. For more info: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/dday/prelude.aspx

It was on this date in 1946, that a terrible fire broke out at the La Salle hotel in Chicago, Illinois.  The fire supposedly began in the nearby grill, and it burned a good ten minutes before being reported.  Some 900 guests were able to safely leave, but 61 people were killed–many were children. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Salle_Hotel http://morthouse.com/post/10363341980/la-salle-hotel-fire-showing-corpse-spread-on-third http://illinoisstatesoceity.typepad.com/photos/19411950_illinois_state_s/lasalle-hotel-fire-1946.html

On this date in 2004, Marvin Heemeyer used a modified bulldozer (nicknamed “Killdozer”) to go on a destructive rampage in Granby, Colorado.  The basis for this incident was a zoning dispute that affected his business.  He caused destruction to 13 buildings, and at the end of this incident, he shot himself.  I do not recall ever hearing about this. For […]

I was a Floridian for many years.  I even graduated from a college in that state.  On this date in 1539, Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain.  At this point, de Soto was the governor of Cuba, and he had landed in the Tampa Bsy area towards the end of May. Or more info: http://all-len-all.com/on-this-day-june-3-1539-hernando-de-soto-claims-florida-for-spain/ http://www.floridahistory.com/inset5.html

Yes, you read that correctly.  On this date in 2014 (that is today), the king of Spain, Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne in favor of his son.  He has been king for almost 40 years, and he ssys it is time for the younger generation to take over.  Crowned prince Felipe, 46, will succeed his father. For more info: http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/02/world/europe/spain-king-abdication/ […]

I honestly never heard of today’s tragic feature.  On this date in 1970, a massive undersea earthquake ocurred in Peru.  It is known as the Ancash or Great Peruvian earthquake.  It was a Sunday afternoon when it struck, and it lasted 45 terrifying seconds.  It caused the northern wall of Mt. Huascarán to be destabilized, thus resulting in an unbelievable […]

A car racing tradition began on this date in 1911.  You might recognize the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and there were 40 cars that lined up for that first Indianapolis 500.  It was Ray Harroun who won the $14,250 prize, clocking an average speed of 74.59 mph and a total time of 6 hours and 42 minutes. My, how times have […]

I cannot help but think of Michael Crawford in the live show Barnum.  He played the part so well, and today’s feature figures into the musical show.  On this date in 1852, the “Swedish Nightingale,” Jenny Lind, left the U. S. On her wildly successful 2-year-long American tour.  It was organized by P.T. Barnum, and she decided it was time […]

It was on this date in 1644, that the infamous Bolton massacre occurred.  I was a particulsrly brutal part of the English civil war.  Although casualties are uncertain, 1600 may have been killed.  From what I can tell, religious differences fueled much of this war. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolton_Massacre http://www.information-britain.co.uk/famdates.php?id=1364