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Saxophone: A Bridge Between Woodwinds and Brass
On this date in 1846, Adolphe Sax patented the saxophone. Here are some things you may not have known about the instrument and its inventor. Adolphe Sax was born in Belgium in 1814. His parents were musical instrument designers who helped refine the design of the French horn. Sax himself made instruments at a young…
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Helen Keller: Unwavering Advocacy for the Disadvantaged
Today is the birthday of Helen Keller, who was born in 1880. Here are a few things you may not have known about her. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama to Arthur Keller, the editor of the North Alabamian newspaper and a former Confederate Army captain, and his wife Kate Adams. Arthur Keller had two…
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O Canada: The True North Strong and Free
On this date in 1880, ” O Canada ” was performed for the first time. Here are some things you may not have known about the Canadian national anthem. First: The lyrics were originally written in French to celebrate Saint Jean-Baptiste Day. A version in English was written in 1906, with more-popular lyrics written in…
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Title IX: Ensuring Equal Rights in Education
On this date in 1972, Title IX of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 was amended to prohibit sexual discrimination by educational programs receiving funds from the federal government. Here are some things you may not have known about Title IX. While Title IX is best known for its impact on sports programs at…
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Cuyahoga River: From Flames to Fish
On this date in 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, caught fire. Here are some things you may not have known about what was once one of America’ most polluted waterways. The mouth of the Cuyahoga River is about 30 miles from its headwaters, but the river takes a U-shaped route of about 100…
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Greenland: It’s Not As Big As You Think
On this date in 2009, Greenland assumed self-rule as an autonomous region of Denmark. Here are some things you may not have known about Greenland. Greenland is the largest island in the world. But it’s probably not as big as you think. In the common Mercator map projection, the country appears to be about the…
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Hotline: Linking Washington to Moscow Since 1963
On this date in 1963, the governments of the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to establish direct communication between Washington and Moscow. Here are some things you may not have known about the hotline. One inspiration for the hotline was the novel “Red Alert,” which dealt with a nuclear standoff between the two…
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Iceland: A Northern Light
On this date in 1944, Iceland declared its independence from Denmark and became a republic. Here are some things you may not have known about Iceland. Iceland is located in the northern Atlantic Ocean, between Scandinavia and Greenland. The first permanent settler was Ingolfr Arnarson, who arrived on the island in 874. By 930, the…
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Roller Coasters: Going for a Ride Since 1884
On this date in 1884, the first purpose-built roller coaster opened on New York’s Coney Island. Here are some things you may not have known about that first roller coaster and those that have followed it. The origins of roller coasters can be traced to attractions called Russian mountains, which were hills of ice with…
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Blood Transfusions: Saving Lives One Pint at a Time
On this date in 1667, the first blood transfusion into a human took place. Here are some things you may not have known about the procedure. The 1667 transfusion was performed by French physician Jean-Baptiste Denys. He transferred blood from a sheep into a 15-year-old boy. Later he also did the same procedure on an…