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Eurovision Song Contest: A Musical Spectacle
On this date in 1974, ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Waterloo.” Here are some things you might not known about the contest. In the years following World War II, European broadcasting leaders were searching for a unifying entertainment icon that would bring the continent together. In 1955, the idea of an…
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Easter Island: More Than Just Stone Statues
On this date in 1722, a Dutch explorer became the first European to land on Easter Island. Here are some things you may not have known about Easter Island. It is located at the southeastern corner of the Polynesian Triangle, about 2,000 miles west of South America. It’s a special territory of Chile. It’s best…
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World Trade Center: Before 9/11
On this date in 1973, the World Trade Center in New York was dedicated. Here are some things you may not have known about the building, besides its destruction on Sept. 11, 2001. The site of the World Trade Center was originally under the Hudson River. The river was filled in the area starting in…
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Archive: First Handheld Mobile Phone Call
(Originally published April 3, 2015) On April 3, 1973, the first handheld mobile phone call was made. Here are some things you might not know about early cellular phones: First, Martin Cooper of Motorola made that first call to his counterpart at AT&T and said, “Joel, this is Marty. I’m calling you from a cell…
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Archive: Falklands Islands War
(Originally published April 2, 2015) Today is the 33rd anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory also claimed by Argentina. The invasion sparked the Falklands War. Here are three things you may not have known about the Falklands War: One: 904 troops were killed and 2,432 were wounded during…
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Gadsden Lapse: Watch Out for the Details
On this date in 1953, parts of southern Arizona and New Mexico reverted back to Mexican control for 24 hours as a result of overlooked fine-print in the Gadsden Purchase, 100 years earlier. Here are a few things you may not have known about the Gadsden Lapse. The Gadsden Purchase was made in 1853 with…
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Eiffel Tower: Beating the Odds
On this date in 1889, the Eiffel Tower opened. Here are some things you may not have known about the Paris landmark. It was constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair and was designed and built by the company owned by Gustave Eiffel. The tower cost an estimated 6.5 million francs, of which…
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Jeopardy: Answers and Questions
On this date in 1964, “Jeopardy!” debuted on NBC. Here are some things you may not have known about the long-running game show. The original incarnation ran as part of NBC’s daytime schedule. It was hosted by Art Fleming with announcer Don Pardo. This version of the show ran for 11 seasons and 2,753 episodes…
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Coca-Cola: The Real Thing Since 1886
Today is the 130th anniversary of the creation of the first batch of Coca-Cola. Here are some things you may not know about the world’s most popular soft drink. John Pemberton, a former colonel in the Confederate Army, became addicted to morphine to ease the pain of battle injuries. He worked as a pharmacist and…
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Washing Machines: Domestic Industrial Revolution
On this date in 1797, Nathaniel Griggs of New Hampshire was granted the first American patent for a washing machine. Here are some things you may not have known about washing machines. Before the invention of washing machines, washing clothes by hand was a laborious and time-consuming undertaking. It consisted of transporting water by hand…