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Miracle on Ice: An (Eventually) Golden Moment
On this date in 1980, the United States ice hockey team won the gold medal during the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Here are some things you may not have known about the “Miracle on Ice.” The 1980 Olympics were the second winter games held in Lake Placid. The 1932 Winter Olympics, the…
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Iwo Jima: Raising the Flag in Victory
On this date in 1945, five United States Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Here are some things you may not have known about the battle, the moment and the iconic photograph. Iwo Jima is located halfway between…
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Legend of Zelda: Link’s 30-Year Quest
30 years ago today, the video game “The Legend of Zelda” was released in Japan. Here are some things you may not have known about the game. First off, the playable character is named Link, not Zelda. Link is a boy who ends up on a quest to gather eight pieces of the Triforce of…
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Japanese Internment During World War II
On February 19, 1942, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which would lead to the internment of more than 100,000 people of Japanese heritage living in the western United States. Here are some things you may not have known about the forced relocation. The United States became involved in World War II following…
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Dale Earnhardt: A NASCAR Champion
On this date in 2001, seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a final-lap crash during the Daytona 500. Here are some things you may not have known about Earnhardt and that fateful day. Dale Earnhardt was born in 1951 in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He was the third of four children of…
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Red Cross: Helping in Wartime since 1863
Today is the 153rd anniversary of the founding of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Here are some things you may not have known about the humanitarian organization. The founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant, was inspired after witnessing the Battle of Solferino during the Franco-Austrian War in June…
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Canadian Flag: Symbol of a Nation Since 1965
Today is National Flag Day in Canada, in honor of the adoption of The Maple Leaf flag on this date in 1965. Here are some things you may not have known about the Canadian flag. The first recorded flag to fly over Canada was the St. George’s Cross flag of England, which is a red…
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Rhapsody in Blue: Gershwin’s Five-Week Miracle
On this date in 1924, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” premiered during a showcase concert in New York City. Here are some things you may not have known about Gershwin and one of his masterpieces. George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1898. He was the second of four children. His older brother,…
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Presidential Succession: Who’s Next?
Today is the 49th anniversary of the ratification of the 25th amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about presidential succession. Before the 25th amendment was ratified, the U.S. Constitution was unclear regarding presidential succession in cases of death, resignation or inability to serve. The…
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Mardi Gras: Dancing in the Streets
Today is Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday and Carnival among other celebrations around the world. Here are some things you may not have known about the festivities. The day celebrates the final day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a Christian period of fasting, prayer and penance which starts 46…