-
Wrigley Field: Home of the Cubs for 100 Years
Today is the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Cubs’ first game played at what is now Wrigley Field. Here are some things you may not have known about the ballpark and the Cubs. The stadium was built in 1914 for the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. That team’s owner, Charles Weeghman, named the stadium…
-
Lexington and Concord: The Start of Independence
On this date in 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord. Here are some things you may not have known about the start of the war and the battles themselves. Following the French and Indian War in 1763, the British government found itself deep in debt. Parliament passed several…
-
Name Game: Country Edition
On this date in 1980, the Republic of Zimbabwe came into existence, replacing Rhodesia. Here are a few facts about countries that have been renamed. The most recent renaming of a country happened last week. The Czech Republic has decided it wants the short form of its name to be Czechia, along the same lines…
-
Rand McNally: The Lost Episode
On this date in 1924, Rand McNally published its first road atlas. Here are some things you may not have known about the company that went on to become synonymous with road maps in the United States. The company was formed in 1868, when William Rand and Andrew McNally purchased the printing business of the…
-
Black Sunday: The Worst Storm of the Dust Bowl
On this date in 1935, the Black Sunday dust storm pummeled the panhandles of the states of Oklahoma and Texas. Here are some things you may not have known about the worst storm of the Dust Bowl. First a little background. Poor farming techniques coupled with a severe drought were the major causes of the…
-
Department Stores: Everything in One Place
On this date in 1902, James Cash Penney opened his first store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Here are some things you may not have known about J.C. Penney and department stores in general. James Cash Penney Jr. was born in 1875 in Missouri. In 1898 he started working for a chain called the Golden Rule stores.…
-
Yuri Gagarin: First Man in Space
55 years ago today, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to travel into outer space. Here are some things you may not have known about Gagarin and his flight. Yuri Gagarin was born in 1934 near the border between Russia and Belarus. During World War II, his family was displaced from their home and forced…
-
Stone of Scone: Scotland’s Seat of Kings
On this date in 1951, the Stone of Scone, also known as the the Stone of Destiny and the Coronation Stone was returned to the British government after it was taken to Scotland. Here are some things you may not have known about the stone and the plot to steal it. The stone is a…
-
Celebrities in Politics: Stars in Office
Today is the 30th anniversary of actor and director Clint Eastwood being elected as mayor of Carmel, California. Here are some things you may not have known about celebrities in politics. The state of California, rather obviously, has had a disproportionate share of celebrity politicians. Actor and dancer George Murphy was among the first notable…
-
Beer: America’s Tipple of Choice
Today is National Beer Day in the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about the history of beer in the United States. • The unofficial holiday is celebrated today to mark the anniversary of the 1933 partial repeal of prohibition. It allowed beer to be sold and consumed legally for…