On this date in 1889, the Nintendo Company was founded. Here are a few things you may not have known about the game company. Its original name was Nintendo Koppai or Nintendo Playing Card Company. The company made a card game called Hanafuda. In 1966 the company moved into the toy business with the Ultra…

On this date in 1961, the Peace Corps was officially authorized by the United States Congress. Here are a few facts you may not have known about the Peace Corps. It was established by by executive order by President John F. Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship. Members of the Peace Corps provide technical…

Today is the 103rd anniversary of the birth of animator Chuck Jones. Here are some things you may not have known about him. First, Charles Martin Jones was born in Spokane, Washington, and later moved with his family to Los Angeles. He would go on to attend the Chouinard Art Institute, which would eventually become…

On this date in 1851, the first issue of the New York Times was published. Here are a few things you may not have known about “The Gray Lady.” It was founded as the New-York Daily Times by politician Henry Jarvis Raymond and banker George Jones. The first issue sold for a penny. They dropped…

  On this date in 1859, Joshua Norton of San Francisco, declared himself Emperor of the United States. Here are some facts you may not have known about Emperor Norton the First. He was born Joshua Abraham Norton, in about 1818 in what is now a part of London, and moved with his parents  to…

On this date in 1620, the Mayflower, carrying 102 passengers set sail from Southampton, England toward North America. Here are some things you may not have known about the voyage. First, the pilgrims weren’t fleeing religious persecution. They originally moved from England to the Netherlands and were allowed to practice their religion freely. They decided…

Author Agatha Christie was born on this date in 1890. Here are a few facts you may not have known about her. Christie was born in Torquay, England, to a British mother and American father. She was the youngest of three children. She and her siblings grew up believing their mother had psychic powers. She…

On this date in 1901, U.S. President William McKinley died after being shot eight days earlier in Buffalo, New York. Here are a few facts you may not have known about McKinley and the assassination. McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio,1843. He enlisted in the Union Army in Jul 1861 and would go on to…

Today would have been the 72nd birthday of Jack Ely, the lead singer of The Kingsmen, who are best known for their version of “Louie Louie.” Here are a few facts about Ely, The Kingsmen and “Louie Louie.” Ely was born in Portland, Oregon and was classically trained on piano before switching to guitar after…

Today is the 86th birthday of golf legend Arnold Palmer. Here are a few facts about the man known as “The King.” He was born on Sept. 10, 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He started golfing at an early age as his father was the head professional and groundskeeper at Latrobe Country…