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Roger Bannister: Breaking the Four-Minute Mile
On this date in 1954, Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes. Here are some things you may not have known about Bannister and his achievements. Roger Bannister was born in 1929 in Harrow, England. He began his running career in 1946 while studying medicine at Oxford…
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Three Stooges: Making Them Laugh Since 1934
On this date in 1934, the first Three Stooges short film was released. Here are some things you may not have known about the classic comedy trio. The Stooges started out as part of a vaudeville act called “Ted Healy and His Stooges.” The act consisted of Healy telling jokes and the others interrupting him,…
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Rolls-Royce: History on the Road and in the Air
On this date in 1904, Charles Stewart Rolls met Frederick Henry Royce in Manchester, England. Here are some things you may not have known about the history of Rolls-Royce. Henry Royce built his first car in 1904 in Manchester, which led to him being introduced to car dealer Charles Rolls at the Midland Hotel. Royce’s…
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Washington, D.C.: A Capital Idea
On this date in 1802, Washington D.C. was incorporated as a city. Here are some things you may not have known about the American capital. Since the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, there have been three capital cities of the United States. The first was New York from March 1789 to December 1790, then the…
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King James Bible: The Standard Since 1611
On this date in 1611, the King James Bible was published for the first time. Here are some things you may not have known about it. The first known efforts to translate the Bible into English happened in the seventh century. Aldhelm, the Bishop of Sherborne, is said to have translated the Psalms, while The…
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Casey Jones: You’d Better Watch Your Speed
(Originally published in 2015) Today marks the 115th anniversary of the death of legendary train engineer Casey Jones. Here are some things you may not know about Casey Jones: One: On board engine number 382, Jones and fireman Sim Webb departed Memphis, Tennessee for Canton, Mississippi. By the time they took over, the train was…
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3D: Your Eyes are Playing Tricks on You
On this date in 1953, the first experimental 3D television program in the U.S. was broadcast. Here are some things you may not have known about 3D. The first television show broadcast in 3D in the U.S. was “Space Patrol” on KECA-TV in Los Angeles. The show was also the first West Coast show to…
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Occupation of Japan: 1945-52
On this date in 1952, the Allied occupation of Japan following World War II ended. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Japan surrendered to end the Second Wold War on August 14, 1945. Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender on the radio the next day, marking the first time most Japanese…
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Palace of Westminster: Seat of British Government since 1016
On this date in 1840, the foundation stone of the new Palace of Westminster was laid in London. Here are some things you may not have known about the building that houses Parliament. The oldest part of the building that is still in use is Westminster Hall, which was built in 1097. It was the…
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Chernobyl: 30 Years Later
Thirty years ago today, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union exploded, causing the worst nuclear accident in history. Here are some things you may not have known about it. The disaster happened during a safety test on reactor number four. During the test, there was an unexpected power surge,…