This was a major scandal for the first African-American Miss America.  On this date in 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign. Penthouse published old nude photos that she never authorized and had assumed were destroyed. No matter–she kept her crown and scholarship money.  And she went on to a fantastic,  award-winning career. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanessa_L._Williams […]

The Great Flood of 1993, wreaked havoc on the U. S.  It was on this date in 1993, that the most dramatic event of this flood occurred. Kaskaskia, Illinois went completely under water when the levee gave way.  One million acres of good farmland were destroyed, and it negatively impacted the economy of the area. For more info: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kaskaskia-is-inundated-by-flood-of-93 http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Flood_of_1993#July

To all speed enthusiasts,  it was on this date in 1904, that Louis Rivoli became the first person to drive a car at 100 miles per hour.  He was a Frenchman,  and he held this record for three months. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Rigolly http://www.briskinfo.com/gk-questions/which-car-first-catch-100mph-speed

This was the site of one of the worst flash floods in recent history on this date in 1977.  It occurred in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, and it killed  84 people and caused $300 million in damages.  No flash flood has killed more people in the U. S.   Twelve inches of rain fell in ten hours,  and it was estimated that this […]

It was on this date in 1968, that Intel was founded by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore.   We can be grateful their ingenuity as computers rely on Intel technology. For more info: http://edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4390653/Intel-is-founded–July-18–1968 http://www.landley.net/history/mirror/intel/cn71898a.htm

On this date in 1938, Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan arrived in Dublin, Ireland. He mistakenly veered from the flight path which was supposed to go from New York to California. Shortly after take-off, he made a 180-degree turnaround.  Originally, he wanted to cross the Atlantic, but he was denied due to the ailing nature of his plane.  He continued to […]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pvdac/11727363744/lightbox/ It was a similar plane that was involved in today’s feature. On this date in 1948, the first commercial plane hijacking occurred. It was a Catalina plane made by Cathay Pacific.  They called it Miss Macao.  Of the 26 on the plane, only the lead hijacker survived. He jumped out of the plane. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Macao http://doreenjorgecotton.com/?tag=miss-macao-hijacking

This beautiful place is where something horrific happened on this date in 1927.  The social Democrats and Catholic church of Austria had some major issues during this time period.  There was a revolt which resulted in a massacre where the Austrian police killed either 84 or 89 protesters. It was a very sad time in this nation’s history. For more […]

I am happy to report that on this date in 1943, the National George Washington Carver Monument was founded by FDR.  This was the first national monument dedicated to an African American.  This was certainly something good that FDR did.  You can find the monument in Diamond, Missouri. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver_National_Monument http://shs.umsystem.edu/historicmissourians/name/c/carver/

I had never even heard of the Eighty Years War,  but on this date in 1573, the seven-month Siege of Haarlem ended. This was a battle where the Netherlands were defeated by Spain. It never cease to amaze me how may battles have been fought throughout history that I never heard of. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Haarlem_(1572-1573)#Surrender