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Jane Grey: The Nine-Day Queen of England
On this date in 1553, the disputed nine-day reign of Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England ended. Here are some things you may not have known about the shortest reign in British history. Jane Grey was born in either 1536 or 1537, possibly in Leicestershire or possibly in London. She and her sisters Catherine…
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The ‘Glory’ Regiment: Leading the Way
On this date in 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry was defeated in the second battle of Fort Wagner, near Charleston, South Carolina. Here’s a few things you may not have known about one of the first African-American units in the American Civil War. The governor of Massachusetts, John A. Andrew, authorized the regiment in March…
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Boeing: Soaring Since 1916
Today is the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Boeing Company. Here are some things you may not have known about the world’s largest aerospace company. The company was founded as Pacific Aero Products Co. by William Boeing along with George Conrad Westervelt in Seattle, Washington. The inspiration to start the company came when…
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Big Money: Who Doesn’t Need a $10,000 Bill?
On this date in 1969, the United States retired all currency above $100. Here are some things you may not have known about large denomination currency. The first $500 bill was issued in North Carolina in 1780, followed by Virginia, which also began printing $1,000 and $2,000 bills a year later. However, the first high-denomination…
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Hollywood Sign: Above It All Since 1923
On this date in 1923, the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles was dedicated. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Originally the sign read “Hollywoodland” as a promotion for a housing development in the Hollywood Hills. One of the developers of the project was Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los…
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Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond
On this date in 1862, the Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress. Here are some things you may not have known about America’s highest military honor. The medal is sometimes known as the Congressional Medal of Honor, as it is awarded by the President in the name of the Congress, although…
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Hamilton: The World Was Wide Enough
On this date in 1804, former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton was shot in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. Here are some things you may not have known about the duel. Alexander Hamilton was born in the West Indies and was orphaned as a child. His intelligence impressed local businessmen, who sent…
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Wall Street Journal: Financial News since 1889
On this date in 1889, the Wall Street Journal was published for the first time. Here are some things you may not have known about the newspaper. The company started by publishing news bulletins delivered by hand to traders at the New York Stock Exchange in the early 1880s. Eventually, the updates would be combined…
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Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate
Today is International Chocolate Day. Here are some things you may not have known about chocolate. Chocolate is made from the cacao tree, which is native to Mexico and Central America. Early on most chocolate was consumed as a beverage. Samples of fermented cacao beans have been found at sites dating to 1900 BC on…
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Louis Pasteur: Saving Lives, One Microbe at a Time
On this date in 1885, Louis Pasteur tested his vaccine for rabies on a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog. Here are some things you may not have known about Pasteur. Louis Pasteur was born in 1822 in eastern France. As a child Pasteur didn’t show much inclination toward science, focusing instead…