Year: 2017

  • 1933: “King Kong” Premieres in New York

    On this date in 1933, the film “King Kong” premiered in New York. Here are some things you may not have known about it. “King Kong” is the tale of a wildlife filmmaker and his crew, who stumble upon an enormous gorilla-like ape on an uncharted island off of Indonesia. The ape falls in love…

  • 1954: Five Congressmen Shot by Puerto Rican Nationalists

    On this date in 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire in the House of Representatives chamber in the United States Capitol building. Here are some things you may not have known about it. The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded in the 1920s in an attempt to secure the island’s independence from the United…

  • Most-Watched TV Programs

    On this date in 1983, the series finale of the television show “MASH” aired in the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about the most-watched scripted television episode in American history. The final episode of the series was called “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” The comedy/drama ran for 11 seasons, eight…

  • Battle of Los Angeles: Fear and Anxiety

    On this date in 1942, anti-aircraft guns blazed over the city of Los Angeles during what was eventually determined to be a false alarm. Here are some things you might not have known about “The Battle of Los Angeles.” The United States was three months into its involvement in World War II following the Japanese…

  • Aluminum: The Modern Metal

    On this date in 1886,  Charles Martin Hall used an economical method to produce aluminum for the first time. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Aluminum is the third most common element in the Earth’s crust, and the most common metal. Aluminum compounds occur naturally, and have been used in…

  • Daytona 500: Stock Car Racing’s Biggest Spectacle

    On this date in 1959, Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500. Here are some things you may not have known about stock car racing’s crown jewel. The Daytona 500 is the direct descendant of earlier races held on the Daytona Beach Road Course. Stock car races were held on a stretch of Daytona Beach…

  • Polaroid Cameras: Photos in an Instant

    On this date in 1947, Edwin Land demonstrated the first instant camera. Here are some things you may not have known about the Polaroid Land Camera. Edwin Land was born in 1909 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After one year of studying chemistry at Harvard, he dropped out to move to New York and work on his…

  • Good Vibrations: A Musical Milestone

    On this date in 1966, Brian Wilson began recording what would come to be the Beach Boys single “Good Vibrations.” Here are some things you may not have known about the song. “Good Vibrations” was recorded while the Beach Boys were working on their album “Pet Sounds.” At some point, the song was intended to…

  • MASH Units: Separating Fact From Television

    On this date in 2006, the last American mobile army surgical hospital was deactivated. Here are some things you may not have known about MASH units. The inspiration for MASH units came during World War II. At the time, the U.S. military used a system that required injured troops to be transported long distances to…

  • ENIAC: One Of The First Computers

    On this date in 1946, ENIAC, one of the first electronic computers was dedicated. Here are some things you may not have known about it. ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the U.S. Army’s Ballistic Research laboratory. It was literally a computer. It could…