Month: September 2015

Sixty years ago today, actor James Dean was killed in a car wreck in central California. Here are some things you may not know about the actor and his death. He was born on February 8, 1931 in Marion, Indiana. When he was in elementary school, his family moved to Santa Monica, California. His mother died when he was nine […]

Today is the 80th birthday of musician Jerry Lee Lewis. Here are some facts you may not have known about the man they call “The Killer.” Jerry Lee Lewis was born in Ferriday, Louisiana to parents Elmo and Mamie Lewis. His cousins included future country singer Mickey Gilley and TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. In 1956, he began working for Sun […]

On this date in 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the world’s first antibiotic, penicillin. Here are a few facts about Fleming and his discovery. Fleming was born in 1881 in Scotland. After moving to London to attend the Royal Polytechnic Institution, Fleming enrolled at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in Paddington. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World […]

On this date in 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe replaced the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in the throwing arm of Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Tommy John. Here are some things you may not have known about what has come to be known as Tommy John Surgery. At the time he underwent surgery, Tommy John had won 124 games in 10 seasons with […]

On this date in 1780, American general Benedict Arnold abandoned his post at West Point when it was discovered that he had made a deal with the British Army to surrender the fortification. Here are a few things you may not have known about the man whose name has become a synonym in the United States for traitor. He was […]

On this date in 1889, the Nintendo Company was founded. Here are a few things you may not have known about the game company. Its original name was Nintendo Koppai or Nintendo Playing Card Company. The company made a card game called Hanafuda. In 1966 the company moved into the toy business with the Ultra Hand, a scissor-driven extendable arm, […]

On this date in 1961, the Peace Corps was officially authorized by the United States Congress. Here are a few facts you may not have known about the Peace Corps. It was established by by executive order by President John F. Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship. Members of the Peace Corps provide technical assistance and help with social […]

Today is the 103rd anniversary of the birth of animator Chuck Jones. Here are some things you may not have known about him. First, Charles Martin Jones was born in Spokane, Washington, and later moved with his family to Los Angeles. He would go on to attend the Chouinard Art Institute, which would eventually become the California Institute of Art. […]

On this date in 1851, the first issue of the New York Times was published. Here are a few things you may not have known about “The Gray Lady.” It was founded as the New-York Daily Times by politician Henry Jarvis Raymond and banker George Jones. The first issue sold for a penny. They dropped the word daily from the […]

  On this date in 1859, Joshua Norton of San Francisco, declared himself Emperor of the United States. Here are some facts you may not have known about Emperor Norton the First. He was born Joshua Abraham Norton, in about 1818 in what is now a part of London, and moved with his parents  to South Africa around the age […]