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143: End of the Daily Tot
July 31 marks the 45th anniversary of the end of the daily rum ration in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Here are a few facts about what was known as the daily tot. First, the ration was originally one gallon of beer per day. Eventually it was changed to pint of wine or…
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142: Medicare and Medicaid Signed into Law
50 years ago today, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965 into law. Here are a few things you may not know about the act. First, it established Medicare and Medicaid, the first public health insurance programs in the United States. Medicare covers seniors age 65 and older, while Medicaid covers…
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141: Arc de Triomphe
On this date in 1836, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was dedicated. Here are a few things you may not have known about the monument. First, it is a memorial to those who fought and died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. It is also the site of France’s Tomb of the Unknown…
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140: Terry Fox Runs Across Canada
Today is the 57th anniversary of the birth of Terry Fox, whose attempt to run across Canada after losing a leg to cancer made him a national hero. Here are some things you might not know about Fox. First, he was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and moved with his family to British Columbia at the…
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139: Discovery of Insulin
On this date in 1921, Canadian researchers determined that insulin regulates blood sugar, leading to treatment for diabetes. Here are a few things you may not have known about the discovery. First, scientists knew that the pancreas was responsible for regulating blood-sugar levels, but isolating exactly what substance did the regulation had proven difficult. Doctors…
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Week in Review: July 25
Welcome to our first week in review. Here’s the historical events we covered this week: Monday: British Columbia becoming a part of Canada Tuesday: German U-Boats shelling the coast of Massachusetts during World War I. Wednesday: The birthday of writer/director/actor Albert Brooks Thursday: The birthday of author Raymond Chandler Friday: The rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1911.…
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138: Machu Picchu
On this date in 1911, an American historian found the remote ruins of the Incan city of Machu Picchu, which until that time had been unknown to the outside world. Here are some facts you might not know about Machu Picchu. First, it was built in the mid 15th century when the Incan Empire was…
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137: Raymond Chandler
Today is the 127th anniversary of the birth of American writer Raymond Chandler. Here are a few things you may not have known about him. First, He published his first short story in 1933 at age 45 after losing his job as an oil company executive. He released his first novel, “The Big Sleep” in…
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136: Albert Brooks
Today is the 68th birthday of American writer, comedian, actor and director Albert Brooks. Here are some things you may not have known about him. First, he was born Albert Lawrence Einstein in Beverly Hills, California to radio comedian Harry Einstein and singer Thelma Leeds. His brother, Bob Einstein, is better known as his character…
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135: German Attack on U.S. Mainland
On July 21, 1918, the only German attack on U.S. soil during World War One occurred. Here are a few facts about the attack on Orleans, Massachusetts and other attacks on the American mainland. First, German submarine U-156 fired on a tug boat and barges from about three miles off the coast of Cape Cod,…