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National Geographic Magazine: 9 Things You Didn’t Know
On this date in 1888, the first issue of National Geographic magazine was published. Here are some things you may not have known about it. The magazine is now known for its use of vivid photography. That wasn’t always the case. As a matter of fact, the magazine didn’t publish a single photo in its…
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“The Hobbit”: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
On this date in 1937, “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien was published for the first time. Here are some things you may not have known about the book. Tolkien was professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College, Oxford. In his spare time he wrote poetry and short stories. In the early 1930’s Tolkien said he found…
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RMS Olympic: An Inauspicious Start for Titanic’s Sister
On this date in 1911, the RMS Olympic collided with the HMS Hawke off the Isle of Wight. Here are some things you may not have known about the collision involving one of the Titanic’s sister ships. The Olympic was completed on May 31, 1911 and was the largest ship in the world. It’s maiden…
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Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park, 35 Years Later
On this date in 1981, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel played their landmark “Concert in Central Park.” Here are some things you may not have known about the show. Simon & Garfunkel met as children in Queens, New York in 1952. They began performing together in 1957 under the name “Tom and Jerry.” Their initial sound…
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Mexican Independence Day Isn’t On May 5th
Today is Mexican Independence Day. Here are some things you may not have known about it. As you’re hopefully aware, today is not the 5th of May. Cinco de Mayo is frequently confused for Mexican Independence Day, but it’s actually a celebration of the Mexican victory over French troops in the Battle of Puebla. Mexican…
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Khrushchev Visits the United States
On this date in 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev began a two-week tour of the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Khrushchev’s visit was preceded by American Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to Moscow in July of 1959. During Nixon’s visit, he engaged in a wide-ranging debate with…
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Hoagies, Heroes, Subs and Grinders
Today is National Eat a Hoagie Day. Here are some things you may not have known about the sandwiches. “Hoagie” is a term used mainly in the Philadelphia region for a submarine sandwich. Regionally in the U.S., they’re also known as heroes, grinders, torpedoes, wedges, zeppelins, spuckies, blimpies, bombers, Italians, and spiedies. The origin of…
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Phineas Gage: A Story of Survival
On this date in 1848, Phineas Gage survived an accident in which an iron rod was driven through his head. Here are some things you may not have known about him. Gage was a railroad construction foreman, who was working as part of a blasting crew near Cavendish, Vermont. The crew’s job consisted of drilling…
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“Bonanza”: The Old West in Living Color
On this date in 1959, the television show “Bonanza” premiered. Here are some things you may not have known about the landmark Western program. The series focused on Ben Cartwright and his three sons. Each of the sons was by a different wife. The oldest son was Adam, whose mother died in childbirth. He was…
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Traffic Safety: An American Success Story
On this date in 1966, the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law. Here are some things you may not have known about traffic safety. Between 1925 and 1965, the annual number of motor vehicle deaths more than doubled. There were some obvious reasons for this increase: The nation’s population…