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iPhone: 10 Years of Leading the Way
On this date in 2007, Apple announced the iPhone. Here are some things you may not have known about the smartphone. The iPhone wasn’t Apple’s first foray into the portable communications market. The company introduced the Newton MessagePad in 1993. The Newton was a personal digital assistant, which was an electronic calendar, contact list and…
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Electrocution of Topsy the Elephant
On this date in 1903, Topsy, an Asian elephant was euthanized by electrocution at Coney Island, New York. Here are some things you may not have known about the incident. Topsy was brought to the United States and performed in the Forepaugh Circus, where she gained a reputation as a bad elephant after killing a…
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Formation of the Soviet Union
On this date in 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed following the Russian Revolution of 1917. Here are some things you may not have known about the formation of the Soviet Union. On December 30, 1922, the leaders of the Russian Republic, Transcaucasian Republic, Ukrainian Republic and Byelorussian Republic met in the…
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Westminster Abbey: London’s Iconic Church
On this date in 1065, Westminster Abbey was consecrated. Here are some things you may not have known about the landmark London church. Since the year 1560, the building’s common name has been a misnomer. Before 1560, it did serve as an abbey, which is a facility where monks or nuns work and live, overseen…
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Crosswords: Puzzling Since 1913
On this date in 1913, the first crossword puzzle was printed in the New York World newspaper. Here are some things you may not have known about crossword puzzles. The first puzzle was actually called a word-cross puzzle. It was created by Arthur Wynne, who was a journalist from Liverpool, England. It was based on…