On This Date Quote of the Day 1834

©ActivityConnection.com – The Daily Chronicles (CAN)

THETHE

On This Date1834 – The Emancipation Act was enacted throughout the British Dominions. Most enslaved people were re-designated as “apprentices,” and their enslavement was ended in stages over the following six years.

1941 – The first Jeep, the army’s little truck that could do anything, was produced. The American Bantam Car Company developed the working prototype in just 49 days. General Dwight D. Eisenhower said that the Allies could not have won World War II without it. Because Bantam couldn’t meet the army’s production demands, other companies, including Ford, also started producing Jeeps.

Daily TriviaThe Jeep was probably named after Eugene the Jeep, a Popeye comic

strip character known for its magical abilities.

Happy Birthday!Maria Mitchell (1818–1889) was the first professional female astronomer in the United States. Born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Mitchell pursued her interest in astronomy with encouragement from her parents and the use of her father’s telescope. In October 1847, Mitchell discovered a comet, a feat that brought her international acclaim. The comet became known as “Miss Mitchell’s Comet.” The next year, the pioneering stargazer became the first woman admitted to the

American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mitchell went on to become a professor of astronomy at Vassar College.

Quote of the Day“Study as if you were going to

live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.”

~ Maria Mitchell

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1610 – At the helm of his ship, Discovery, Henry Hudson entered Hudson Bay for the first time. He believed that it was the Pacific Ocean and that he had found the Northwest Passage.

1938 – The New York Times described an advance in dental care, Dr. West’s Miracle-Tuft toothbrush, featuring nylon bristles, rather than the standard hog bristles of the era.

1991 – The Gaia, a Viking replica ship, reached the Norse settlement site of L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of Leif Eriksson’s landing. The Gaia had left Norway on May 17.

Celebrity TriviaElizabeth Taylor insisted that her

then-husband Richard Burton stop hanging around with Peter

O’Toole because she felt he was a bad influence on Burton. O’Toole

referred to Elizabeth Taylor henceforth as “That Woman.”

Happy Birthday!Peter O’Toole (1932–2013) was an Irish stage and screen actor who gained recognition early on for various roles in Shakespearean plays. Heralded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, he achieved stardom playing T. E. Lawrence in the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia. O’Toole’s many film credits include Becket (1964), The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), and My Favorite Year (1982). He holds the record for most Academy Award nominations without a win (eight). In 2003, he received an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to film.

Quote of the Day“Life is not a having and

a getting, but a being and a becoming.”

~ Myrna Loy

MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1492 – Christopher Columbus set sail in command of three ships—the Santa María, the Pinta, and the Niña—on a journey to find a western sea route to China, India, and the Spice Islands. The three ships carried 88 sailors. Columbus finally sighted land on October 12.1852 – Harvard University won the first boat race between Yale University and Harvard.1914 – British Columbia, fearful of German raids, bought two submarines from a U.S. shipbuilder for its own private navy. Two days later, the Canadian government purchased the subs for its naval force.1936 – Jesse Owens won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He went on to win three other gold medals.

Edible FlowersBroccoli, artichokes, and cauliflower are vegetables that are also flowers.

We eat the unopened flower heads of the plant.

Happy Birthday!Tony Bennett, born in 1926 as Anthony Dominick Benedetto, is a world-renowned singer who has won 19 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and two Emmy Awards. Bennett is a World War II veteran and has performed for 11 U.S. presidents. His signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was recorded in 1962. Some of his other hits include “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “The Good Life,” and “Rags to Riches.” He has sold over 50 million records and is also a painter, signing his works

under the name Anthony Benedetto. He continues to perform live, with tour dates scheduled across the country.

Quote of the Day“I have an awful lot to learn.

My dream is to get better and better as I get older.”

~ Tony Bennett

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1914 – Britain declared her Empire to be at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, one day after Germany’s declaration of war against France. There had not been a general European war for 99 years, and the declaration was greeted with enthusiasm. People thought the war would be over in a matter of months, with relatively few casualties. 1922 – Every telephone in North America was silent for one minute at sunset, marking the time funeral services were taking place for Alexander Graham Bell.1984 – The Republic of Upper Volta was renamed Bourkina Fasso, which means “land of honest men.”

Fun FactSquirrels accidentally plant

millions of trees when they bury nuts and then forget where

they left them.

Happy Birthday!Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) was a trumpeter, singer, composer, and actor from New Orleans with a distinctively rich, emotive voice. The beloved American jazz icon is best known for the song “What a Wonderful World.” Heralded as one of the most influential, innovative jazz musicians of all time, Armstrong is credited with developing the jazz solo performance and scat singing. He was one of the first Black artists to find huge popularity among all Americans. Armstrong also appeared in multiple films to wide acclaim, including High Society and Hello, Dolly!

Quote of the Day“If you have to ask what jazz

is, you’ll never know.”~ Louis Armstrong

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1858 – Scottish leader William Wallace was captured by the English and transported to London for trial and execution. Wallace’s story as a Scottish military leader was the subject of the Academy Award-winning film Braveheart.

1858 – The first telegraph line across the Atlantic Ocean was completed, a feat accomplished through the efforts of Merchant Cyrus West Field. Unfortunately, the cable proved weak, and after several weeks it stopped functioning. Field did succeed in laying a permanent cable in 1866.

1924 – The comic strip Little Orphan Annie debuted.

1928 – Bobbie Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith, Myrtle Cook, and Jane Bell won Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay at Amsterdam.

Daily TriviaThe towns of Boring, Oregon, and

Dull, Scotland, have been sister cities since 2012.

Happy Birthday!Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was a

pilot, an astronaut, a businessman, a teacher, and the first human to walk on the moon, a feat he accomplished on July 21, 1969. He

and fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin spent two and a half hours exploring the lunar surface. They unveiled a plaque commemorating their flight and also planted the U.S. flag. Armstrong photographed Aldrin with his own image visible on Aldrin’s helmet, qualifying it as one of the best astronaut selfies. The movie First Man (2018) follows the years leading up to the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969.

Quote of the Day“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s

desire to understand.”~ Neil Armstrong

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1926 – Gertrude Ederle did what the experts claimed no woman could do: she swam the English Channel. And she did it faster than anyone had before, accomplishing the stunning feat in 14 hours and 31 minutes.

1942 – The convoy that the Canadian destroyer HMCS Assiniboine was guarding had lost 11 ships to U-boat attacks when the destroyer spotted another U-boat in the North Atlantic. The two vessels proceeded to fire and maneuver in heavy fog. After about an hour, the Assiniboine managed to sink the U-boat by ramming it.

2012 – NASA landed Curiosity, a car-sized robotic rover, on Mars, where it is still taking photos and collecting samples.

Daily TriviaEarth is the only planet not

named after a god.

Happy Birthday!Alexander Fleming (1881–1955) discovered penicillin, the first effective antibiotic, a finding heralded as “the single greatest victory ever achieved over disease.” In 1945, Fleming was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with collaborators Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain. Fleming was also knighted for his pioneering achievement and named to Time’s list of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th century. The Scottish doctor and microbiologist also discovered the enzyme lysozyme.

Quote of the Day“The unprepared mind cannot

see the outstretched hand of opportunity.”

~Alexander Fleming

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1803 – Efforts to colonize Prince Edward Island began when the first of 800 Highland settlers from Scotland were sent to Orwell Bay by Lord Selkirk.

1927 – The Peace Bridge between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, was dedicated. More than 400,000 vehicles cross the bridge each year.

1947 – The balsa-wood raft Kon-Tiki, carrying Thor Heyerdahl and five companions, completed its 4,300-mile voyage from Peru to the Tuamotu Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The

crossing demonstrated that ancient Polynesians could have originated in South America.

Daily TriviaA newborn blue whale gains

about 200 pounds per day during its first year. The animal is the largest to have ever existed and is abundant in nearly all oceans.

Happy Birthday!Charlize Theron, born in 1975, is an Oscar-winning actress. The beautiful blonde grew up in South Africa. As a teen, she modeled in

Europe and then moved to America to train as a dancer. After a knee injury derailed her dancing dreams, she shifted her plans to pursue

acting instead. Theron found a steady stream of parts before her breakout role in The Devil’s Advocate, costarring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. She won her Academy Award for Best Actress for 2003’s Monster. Her other films include Tully, Atomic Blonde, and F9.

Quote of the Day“If they ever do my life story,

whoever plays me needs a lot of hair color and

high heels.”~ Charlize Theron

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2021


THETHE

On This Date1907 – Bill Miner escaped from a penitentiary in British Columbia where he was serving a life sentence

for a train robbery. It was one of a series of robberies and escapes throughout his life. Miner had a ballerina tattooed on his right forearm

that the authorities often used to positively identify him. The movie The Grey Fox is based on his life.

1918 – The Battle of Amiens began a string of almost continuous Allied victories that led to the signing of an armistice ending World War I.

2000 – The Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley was raised after 136 years at the bottom of the sea. The sub sank in a battle with the USS Housatonic in 1864.

Daily TriviaArt Linkletter’s Kids Say the Darndest Things! was the best-selling nonfiction

book in the United States for two years in a row, in 1957 and 1958.

Happy Birthday!Esther Williams, “America’s Mermaid” (1921–2013), was a champion swimmer who became a legendary movie star. Her many musical films, including Bathing Beauty (1944) and Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), featured beautiful, elaborate swimming scenes with synchronized swimming and diving. Williams also was a successful businesswoman with a line of swimwear and swimming pools. She served as a commentator for synchronized swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She and her second husband, actor Ben Gage, had three children.

Quote of the Day“Somehow I kept my head

above water.”~ Esther Williams



THETHE

On This Date1842 – The border between the U.S. and Canada was defined by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. The treaty also called for an end to trading enslaved people on the high seas and to shared use of the Great Lakes.

1930 – Betty Boop debuted in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes. At first, she sported dog ears, which were later removed.

1944 – The first poster of Smokey Bear was produced. The U.S. Forest Service began the campaign because so many firefighters were away from home during the

war. Smokey’s famous warning is “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

Daily TriviaSmokey’s name is Smokey

Bear, not Smokey the Bear. The confusion began with the children’s

song titled “Smokey the Bear.”

Happy Birthday!Whitney Houston (1963–2012) was a transcendent singer and actress who sold over 200 million records worldwide. The Grammy Award winner was the only music artist to have seven consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Guinness World Records heralds her

as the most awarded female artist. Her hits include “I Will Always Love You,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and “Greatest Love

of All.” Houston’s film credits include The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.

Quote of the Day“God gave me a voice to sing with, and when you

have that, what other gimmick is there?”~ Whitney Houston



THETHE

On This Date1519 – Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Seville, Spain, to circumnavigate the world.

1846 – President James K. Polk signed the Smithsonian Institution Act into law, creating a museum and research facilities. An English scientist,

James Smithson, made this possible with his gift of $500,000. Today, the Smithsonian includes 19 museums and galleries.

1972 – A daylight meteor, later named the Great Daylight Fireball, streaked across the sky from Utah to Canada. It was a rare Earth-grazing meteor that was seen bouncing off Earth’s atmosphere.

Daily TriviaNapoleon’s troops were the first to eat canned foods after Nicolas

Appert realized that food heated in sealed glass jars remained fresh

and portable for the soldiers.

Happy Birthday!Norma Shearer (1902–1983), an actress who was born in Montreal, caught the eye of future MGM vice president Irving Thalberg with her performance in The Stealers (1920). She secured an MGM contract

and later married Thalberg, who was her husband until his death in 1936. Called the First Lady of the Screen, Shearer earned six

Oscar nominations. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Divorcee (1930). In 1942, she married a ski instructor 10 years her junior. They were together until her death in 1983.

Quote of the Day“Let every man be respected

as an individual and no man idolized.”~ Albert Einstein



THETHE

On This DateAD 117 – Hadrian became the Emperor of Rome. He helped unify the vast empire and ruled until his death in AD 138.

1911 – Property developer John Hextall signed an agreement with the city of Calgary in which the city received the islands of Bowness Park in return for an extension of the municipal streetcar service to Hextall’s exclusive residential community. Today, attractions in the park include the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden, Prehistoric Park, and much more.

Daily TriviaFrustrated by finding errors in mathematical tables prepared by humans, Charles Babbage

designed, but never built, the first programmable computer in 1832. In 2002, the “Babbage Engine” was completed at the Science Museum in London. It has 8,000 parts and is 11 feet long and seven feet high. The

project took 17 years to complete.

Happy Birthday!Alex Haley (1921–1992) was an

acclaimed American writer from Ithaca, New York. Haley is best known as the author of the 1976 book Roots: The Saga of an

American Family, which recounts his family history beginning with an ancestor who was captured in Africa and sold into slavery in America. The story was turned into a widely successful ABC miniseries that spawned an interest in genealogy and the Black American experience. A sequel, Queen: The Story of an American Family, was completed and published after his death.

Quote of the Day“In every conceivable manner,

the family is our link to our past, our bridge to our future.”

~ Alex Haley



THETHE

On This Date1865 – Joseph Lister became the first doctor to use an antiseptic during surgery.

1892 – The first electric streetcars began operating in Toronto, replacing horse-drawn cars. They are still vital to the city’s downtown surface transit service.

1973 – Golfer Jack Nicklaus won the PGA title, breaking Bobby Jones’ record of 13 major championships.

1990 – Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton found to date, was discovered by Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota. The skeleton is now a permanent feature at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Daily TriviaCockroaches would have a good

chance of surviving a nuclear war. They have no problem handling radiation levels that would kill a

human in 10 minutes.

Happy Birthday!Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) was a prominent director and producer of silent and sound pictures who grew up in New York City. He went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he was discovered as an actor. Considered a founding father of American cinema, he directed and produced a wide range of films, including The Squaw Man, The Ten Commandments, The King of Kings, Union Pacific, Cleopatra, and Samson and Delilah. The legendary filmmaker won many honors, including a Best Picture Oscar and a Golden Globe for 1952’s The Greatest Show on Earth.

Quote of the Day“Creativity is a drug

I cannot live without.”~ Cecil B. DeMille



THETHE

On This Date1521 – After a three-month siege, Hernán Cortés and his Spanish troops invaded Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec civilization. Cortés’ men razed the city and captured Cuauhtémoc, the indigenous emperor. The battle was the end of the ancient empire.

1784 – The Continental Congress met for the final time in Annapolis, Maryland. The government moved a few more times—to New York City, Philadelphia, and finally to the permanent seat of government in Washington, D.C.

1913 – In Sheffield, England, Harry Brearley produced the first batch of “rustless steel,” later dubbed “stainless steel.”

Hawaii TriviaHawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth.

It is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from

Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from

the Philippines.

Happy Birthday!Don Ho (1930–2007) was a prominent Hawaiian traditional pop musician, singer, and entertainer. In 1966, he released his most famous song, “Tiny Bubbles.” He hosted a variety show in 1976 and made many guest appearances on television shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, Charlie’s Angels, and Fantasy Island. Ho had a long marriage to his wife, Melva May, and he had 10 children who often worked alongside him. He loved teaching his children the entertainment business.

Quote of the Day“I think the word for me is survival, not ambition. I’m a really lucky man.”

~ Don Ho



THETHE

On This Date1873 – Forest and Stream, a magazine dedicated to wildlife conservation, published its first issue. The journal, which helped launch the National Audubon Society, merged with Field and Stream in 1930.

1945 – Japanese Emperor Hirohito gave a recorded radio address announcing the surrender of Japan and effectively ending World War II.

1980 – Polish labor leader Lech Walesa led shipyard workers to strike. His solidarity movement helped topple the Communist regime, and he later became Poland’s

first democratically elected president.

Did You Know?The number of cricket chirps you count in a 15-second period plus 37 will approximate the current

air temperature.

Happy Birthday!Halle Berry, born in 1966, is an acclaimed American actress. The stunning beauty, who began her career as a model, won an Academy Award for Best Actress for 2001’s Monster’s Ball. Berry is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. Some of her films include Die Another Day, the X-Men film series, and John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum. Berry continues to model and has served as the face of Revlon cosmetics and Versace. In 2020, she released her directorial debut, Bruised, which will be available on Netflix in 2021.

Quote of the Day“Beauty is not just physical.

It’s about what you stand for, how you live your life.”

~ Halle Berry



THETHE

On This Date1057 – At the Battle of Lumphanan,

King Macbeth of Scotland was slain by Malcolm Canmore. Canmore’s father, King Duncan I, had been murdered by Macbeth 17 years

earlier. These would be very obscure events if Shakespeare had not used them as the basis for his play Macbeth. Many scholars consider the bloody play to be Shakespeare’s darkest work.

1914 – The Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was officially opened after 10 years of construction. It was by far the largest American engineering project to date. An expansion project that doubled the capacity of the canal was completed in 2016.

Daily TriviaNapoleon jailed 13 Catholic

cardinals for not attending his second marriage. Napoleon’s

officers kidnapped Pope Pius VII and held him captive for five years.

Happy Birthday!Julia Child (1912–2004) was an acclaimed American chef, television personality, and cookbook author. The resounding success of her book The Art of French Cooking, which she co-authored with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, landed Child

her first television show, The French Chef. Her acclaimed cookbooks and TV shows popularized French cuisine in America. Child is

also known for creating a “shark repellent” mixture to keep sharks away from underwater explosives, which she developed while working for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II.

Quote of the Day“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then,

I just ate.”~ Julia Child



THETHE

On This Date1812 – American General William Hull surrendered Fort Detroit in the Michigan territory to the British. He realized that his army could not defend the settlement after seeing the large English and Indian forces gathering outside Detroit’s walls.

1858 – Queen Victoria sent the first official telegraph across the Atlantic from London to President Buchanan in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, this earliest transatlantic cable ceased functioning in less than a month.

1896 – George Carmack, his wife Kate, and brother-in-law Skookum Jim discovered gold in what is now known as Bonanza Creek, Yukon, setting off the Klondike gold rush. Carmack noted that the gold veins were “thick between the flaky slabs, like cheese sandwiches.”

Daily TriviaDefeated only once in roughly

300 matches, President Abraham Lincoln was inducted into the

National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992.

Happy Birthday!T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) was a British diplomat, military officer, archaeologist, and writer who was born in Wales. He was known as “Lawrence of Arabia” for his early 20th-century diplomatic activities in the Arab world. Lawrence’s vivid writings of his adventures and wartime experiences in the region (as well as the reporting of journalist Lowell Thomas) became the inspiration for the 1962 epic film Lawrence of Arabia, starring Peter O’Toole. Lawrence was a colonel in the British Army who served from 1914 to 1918 and again from 1923 to 1935.

Quote of the Day“I wrote my will across

the sky, in stars.”~ T. E. Lawrence



THETHE

On This Date1807 – The world’s first commercial steamboat service began. The route was the stretch of the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, New York.

1904 – The Ford Motor Company of Canada opened for business. The first car produced was a two-cylinder Model C that rolled off the assembly line in Windsor, Ontario. It had a 10-horsepower engine and cost $1,100, quite a bit of money in those days.

1939 – The Wizard of Oz opened at the Capitol Theater in New York City. Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney performed live onstage at the premiere between screenings. Garland kept up the performances, which jammed traffic on Broadway for two weeks.

Daily TriviaFreelance first referred to a

mercenary soldier whose lance was free for hire and not pledged to one master.

Happy Birthday!Mae West (1893–1980) was an

irrepressible screen legend of classic American film. West, who grew up in New York, was the daughter of a fashion model and

the prizefighter “Battlin’ Jack” West. She began her celebrated career in theater and vaudeville before moving to California to work in the movies. In Hollywood, she found colossal success as an actress, comedian, playwright, singer, director, and producer. Some of her films include I’m No Angel, Belle of the Nineties, and My Little Chickadee. West’s autobiography Goodness Had Nothing to Do with It (1959) was a bestseller.

Quote of the Day“You only live once, but if you do it right,

once is enough.”~ Mae West



THETHE

On This Date1227 – Genghis Khan died. The Great

Khan had united the Mongolian clans and conquered parts of China, Russia, Persia, and Arabia. He also threatened Europe. His cavalry

was ruthless and efficient. Using powerful short bows and swords, they attacked while still mounted on their sturdy ponies.

1833 – The steamship Royal William left Nova Scotia. It arrived in England on September 11, becoming the first steamship vessel to cross the Atlantic.

1969 – The Woodstock music festival that featured Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin concluded. The festival exemplified the youth counterculture of the late 1960s.

Fun Fact“Happy Birthday to You” was the first song to be performed in outer

space. The Apollo 9 astronauts sang the tune in March 1969.

Happy Birthday!Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) served

as coleader, along with William Clark, on the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806). This was the first overland exploration of the

West and Pacific Northwest. Lewis’ talents for natural history, including botany and zoology, were especially valuable during the adventure. After his successful return from the expedition, Lewis wrote The Journals of Lewis and Clark. In 1807, President Jefferson appointed him governor of the Louisiana Territory.

Quote of the Day“As I have always held it a crime to anticipate evils,

I will believe it a comfortable road until I am compelled

to believe differently.”~ Meriwether Lewis



THETHE

On This Date1942 – Canadian and British forces carried out a large raid against German forces in Dieppe, France. The Allies suffered grave losses; nearly 1,000 Canadians were killed in combat, of whom 944 are buried at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery. However, the Dieppe raids provided intel that was crucial to the Normandy invasion in 1944.

1981 – The popular television series Charlie’s Angels ended its five-year run on ABC. The show originally starred Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, and Jaclyn Smith and later added Cheryl Ladd. Their boss, Charlie, was never shown full face, but was often seen from the back.

Fun FactThe USS Constitution is now docked at Boston’s

Charlestown Navy Yard. As a fully commissioned U.S. Navy

ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special

events while keeping the ship open to visitors year-round.

Happy Birthday!Coco Chanel (1883–1971) was an iconic French fashion designer who epitomized “style.” She is the founder of the eponymous luxury label Chanel, which popularized deluxe casualwear for women, freeing them from the constraints of the corset. “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous,” said Chanel, and she lived by this rule. The designer opened a hat boutique in 1910, which took off when actress Gabrielle Dorziat donned one of her hats in a popular play. Soon, Chanel expanded her label to include clothing and perfume. Her Chanel No. 5 fragrance and interlocking Cs logo became style icons in their own right.

Quote of the Day“The most courageous act is to

think for yourself. Aloud.”~ Coco Chanel



THETHE

On This Date1940 – Winston Churchill, referring to RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain, said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”1942 – Searchlights crossing the sky ceased to be used at Hollywood film premieres. To avoid attack and surveillance by Japanese forces in World War II, the West Coast was required to dim its lights at night.1960 – Two Russian dogs named Belka and Strelka safely returned from Earth’s orbit in Sputnik 5. They were the first animals to survive orbit. In retirement, Strelka had a litter of puppies, and one of them was presented to President Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline.

Did You Know?The first letters of the names of the Great Lakes spell HOMES

(Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior).

Happy Birthday!Robert Plant, born in 1948, is a singer and songwriter who was raised in Worcestershire, England. The rock star was the lead singer of the iconic band Led Zeppelin. He was also a part of several other bands, including the “all-star” group the Honeydrippers with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Honored as one of

the top singers of all time by Rolling Stone, Hit Parade, and many others, Plant also helped create the rock

star persona with his long, flowing hair and powerful performances. Some of his many hit songs include “Whole Lotta Love,” “Immigrant Song,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You.”

Quote of the Day“Music is for every single

person that walks the planet.”~ Robert Plant



THETHE

On This Date1887 – Dan Casey struck out in a game with the New York Giants. This might have been lost baseball lore if it was not for Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s poem “Casey at the Bat,” which concludes:

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;

But there is no joy in Mudville— mighty Casey has struck out.

Daily TriviaPlay-Doh was created as a

substance to clean wallpaper in the 1930s. It was not until the mid-1950s that it was sold as

a modeling compound used by children for arts and crafts projects.

Happy Birthday!Kenny Rogers (1938–2020) was a Grammy-winning country music legend who made 65 albums and is one of the best-selling artists of all time. His most popular tunes, “Islands in the Stream” and “The Gambler,” won him scores of crossover pop music fans. In 2012, Rogers released a book called Luck or Something Like It: A Memoir about the ups and downs in his musical career. In 2016, he began his final world tour, The Gambler’s Last Deal, which ended with a star-studded Nashville concert that included duets with long-time friend Dolly Parton.

Quote of the Day“If you want people to know

what your message is, just sing it.”

~ Kenny Rogers



THETHE

On This Date1749 – A troupe of English actors

performed Joseph Addison’s Cato in Philadelphia. The colonists considered acting to be immoral and had the actors arrested. The troupe

relocated to New York, a more theater-friendly town.1770 – Captain James Cook, on HMS Endeavor, charted the east coast of Australia and claimed it for the British Crown.1902 – The Cadillac Automobile Company was established. The car was named after the French explorer who founded Detroit in 1701.1964 – The Beatles gave their first Canadian concert at Empire Stadium in Vancouver before 20,000 screaming fans. The concert was cut short after 27 minutes for fear of rioting.

Math Trivia111,111,111 x 111,111,111 =

12,345,678,987,654,321

Happy Birthday!Claude Debussy (1862–1918) was a French composer whose works had a major influence on music of

the 20th century. Sent to Paris as a child to study piano, Debussy became interested in composing, too. His music was inspired

by the Impressionist artists of his day—he is sometimes called the first Impressionist composer. His compositions include the song “Clair de lune” and longer pieces La Mer and Children’s Corner Suite, which he wrote for his daughter. He was often engaged as a conductor.

Quote of the Day“You’ve got to jump off the cliff all the time and

build your wings on the way down.”~ Ray Bradbury



THETHE

On This Date1617 – The first one-way streets were created in London. The decree was meant to regulate the “disorder and rude behavior of Carmen, Draymen, and others using Cartes.”

1913 – The statue of The Little Mermaid, based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen, was unveiled in Copenhagen, Denmark. The sculptor, Edvard Eriksen, used his wife as the model.

1926 – Rudolph Valentino’s sudden death from a ruptured ulcer at age 31

caused worldwide hysteria, suicide attempts, and riots at his lying in state. The silent film star was idolized as the “Great Lover” of the 1920s.

Daily TriviaThe common mouse is the second most abundant mammal on Earth;

humans take the top spot.

Happy Birthday!Gene Kelly (1912–1996) was an iconic dancer, actor, choreographer, and director. The screen legend worked on many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed musicals, including For Me and My Gal, Anchors Aweigh,

On the Town, An American in Paris (which won the Best Picture Oscar), and Singin’ in the Rain. Dubbing himself the Marlon Brando of

dance, Kelly was renowned for his athletic, exuberant, awe-inspiring dancing style. He directed the Academy Award-nominated film Hello, Dolly! and won many lifetime achievement awards.

Quote of the Day“You dance love, you

dance joy, and you dance your dreams.”

~ Gene Kelly



THETHE

On This DateAD 79 – After centuries of dormancy, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today, 400,000 people live in the vicinity of the still-active volcano.

1869 – Cornelius Swarthout patented the first stove-top waffle iron in the United States.

2006 – The International Astronomical Union decreed that Pluto was no longer considered a planet and redefined it as a dwarf planet. Pluto was back in the news in 2016 with the flyby of the New Horizon probe.

Did You Know?A newborn gray whale calf is about

16 feet long. Gray whale calves are born in the warm lagoons of

Baja, California, during January and February.

Happy Birthday!Cal Ripken Jr., born in 1960, is one of the all-time greatest shortstops in baseball. Known as “The Iron Man,” he set the remarkable record of 2,632 consecutive games played. Lou Gehrig held the previous record of 2,130 in 1939, which many people had considered to be unbreakable. Ripken retired after the 2001 season and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. He has written almost 30 books, owns several minor league teams, and has worked as a studio sports analyst for Turner Broadcasting.

Quote of the Day“You could be a kid for as

long as you want when you play baseball.”

~ Cal Ripken Jr.



THETHE

On This Date1860 – The future King Edward VII officially inaugurated the Victoria Bridge in Montreal. It was the first bridge to span the St. Lawrence River and was considered the eighth wonder of the world when it was completed. The bridge is still in operation today.1929 – The German dirigible Graf Zeppelin passed over San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. It was headed to Los Angeles after crossing the Pacific from Tokyo.1944 – Paris was liberated by the French 2nd Armored Division and the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. German General Dietrich von Choltitz disobeyed Hitler’s order to burn the city and demolish the monuments. He did not want to go down in history as the man who destroyed the City of Light.

Did You Know?Murphy Oil Soap is used to

wash elephants.

Happy Birthday!Regis Philbin (1931–2020) was a popular television host who grew up in the Bronx, in New York City.

He began his storied entertainment career as a page at The Tonight Show. By 1961, he had his own talk show, The Regis Philbin Show.

Soon, the likable TV personality was hosting to a national audience, eventually with cohosts Kathie Lee Gifford (Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee) and Kelly Ripa (Live! with Regis and Kelly). He left the show in 2011. Philbin also hosted the game shows Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America’s Got Talent.

Quote of the Day“I guess people wonder if

I’m the same on camera as I am off, and I’m pretty much

the same, I really am.”~ Regis Philbin



THETHE

On This Date1883 – A series of volcanic explosions began and culminated the following day on the island of Krakatoa. The explosions were so loud that they were heard about 1,930 miles away in Perth, Australia.1939 – On the eve of World War II, the British Admiralty transmitted the single word funnel. The agreed-upon signal transferred control of Canadian merchant ships from the owners to the Royal Canadian Navy. 1968 – The Hudson’s Bay Company launched the replica sailing ship Nonsuch II to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the company.

Did You Know?In 1955, Dr. Jonas Salk became a national hero when he introduced an injectable dead-virus polio

vaccine. The shot was replaced in the early 1960s by Dr. Sabin’s oral live-virus polio vaccine, which is still being used in the ongoing

effort to exterminate polio.

Happy Birthday!Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was a Black American physicist and mathematician. Johnson worked at NASA for 35 years, first as a “human computer,” then helping to pioneer the use of computers in orbital mechanics. Her calculations of flight trajectories were instrumental to the success of the first manned space flights. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. The film Hidden Figures (2016), starring Taraji P. Henson as Johnson, chronicled her groundbreaking NASA career and the racial and gender prejudice she overcame.

Quote of the Day“I was just excited to have challenging work to do and smart people to work with.”

~ Katherine Johnson



THETHE

On This Date1793 – Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York and named it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York. The name was changed to Toronto in 1834. Toronto is Iroquois for “place of meeting.”1859 – Edwin Drake struck oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania, after many attempts. People thought he was crazy to keep drilling, and

even his employers refused him more money. His ultimate success resulted from drilling pipes into the ground to prevent water

contamination and cave-ins. He did not patent his invention and eventually lost all his money.

Did You Know?Within every human being is a flourishing colony of bacteria weighing about four pounds.

This is referred to as the human microbiome.

Happy Birthday!Tom Ford, born in 1961, is an American fashion designer from Austin, Texas. Known for his modern takes on glamorous, classic design,

he got his start in fashion as an intern at the renowned label Chloé, in Paris. Ford then moved to NYC and worked for Cathy Hardwick

and Perry Ellis, eventually becoming the creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. In 2006, his own luxury brand, Tom Ford, debuted. He’s dressed countless celebrities, including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks, and Daniel Craig in four James Bond films. He also wrote and directed the films A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals.

Quote of the Day“Striving for perfection

has served me well.”~ Tom Ford



THETHE

On This Date1850 – Wagner’s opera Lohengrin was performed for the first time. Its “Bridal Chorus” is better known as “Here Comes the Bride.” The march is played for the bride’s entrance at many weddings throughout the Western world, in spite of the fact that the opera marriage between Elsa and Lohengrin was an almost immediate failure.

1963 – Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream”

speech at the Lincoln Memorial. The speech helped mobilize support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

1968 – Vietnam War protesters and police clashed in the streets of Chicago while the Democratic National Convention nominated Hubert H. Humphrey as its party’s presidential candidate.

Daily TriviaThe word orange was first used to

describe the fruit, not the color.

Happy Birthday!Sheryl Sandberg, born in 1969, is an American tech executive, author, and activist. The billionaire Chief Operating Officer at Facebook also serves on Facebook’s Board of Directors. Before joining the social media company, she worked at Google. Sandberg, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and Miami, is the founder of LeanIn.org, an organization that promotes equality and helps women reach their career goals. Among her many accolades, Time magazine put her in its 2012 Time 100—the publication’s annual list of the world’s most influential people.

Quote of the Day“Everyone needs more support

than they are getting.”~ Sheryl Sandberg



THETHE

On This Date1949 – The Soviets detonated an atomic bomb. The scientists who would have been executed if the bomb had failed were honored as Heroes of Socialist Labor, and those who would have been imprisoned were awarded the Order of Lenin. 2005 – Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. It was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm was the third major hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

Daily TriviaThe only difference between a

hurricane, a typhoon, and a cyclone is the location where the storm

occurs. In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, the event is a hurricane. In the Northwest Pacific, it is called a typhoon, and in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, it is a cyclone.

Happy Birthday!Marie-Louise Meilleur (1880–1998) lived for an astounding 117 years. Born in Kamouraska, Québec, the French Canadian was the oldest living Canadian in recorded history.

In her last year, she also became the oldest living person on Earth. Meilleur was married twice (her first husband died at

age 39) and had 12 children, six with each husband. Her second spouse, Hector Meilleur, also lived a long life—to age 93. The supercentarian had 85 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, 57 great-great-grandchildren, and four great-great-great-greats—that’s a lot of love!

Quote of the Day“Hard work”

~ Marie-Louise Meilleur, when asked the secret

to living a long life



THETHE

On This Date30 BC – Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, committed suicide. Antony and Cleopatra were defeated in the naval Battle of Actium by Octavian, who became Augustus Caesar. Antony fell on his sword rather than face capture. Shortly thereafter, legend has it that Cleopatra let a poisonous snake bite her. Their fate is the subject of Shakespeare’s play Antony and Cleopatra.

1909 – Charles Walcott discovered the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies. The fossil bed is famous for its amazing preservation of specimens from the

Cambrian Explosion, dating 545 to 525 million years ago.

Fun FactAccording to the U.S. Tennis

Association, a tennis ball is supposed to bounce between 53 and 58 inches

when dropped from a height of 100 inches.

Happy Birthday!Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937) was a brilliant New Zealand physicist who discovered both the nucleus and the concept of the radioactive half-life. Now considered the father of nuclear physics, Rutherford was awarded

a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering findings on alpha and beta radiation and the disintegration of the elements during his

time working at McGill University in Montréal, Canada. In England, he led the teams that discovered the neutron and split the nucleus. The element rutherfordium was named in his honor.

Quote of the Day“It was quite the most

incredible event that has ever happened to me in my life.”

~ Ernest Rutherford, on his discovery of the nucleus



THETHE

On This Date1942 – “Up in the sky! Look! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” Mutual Broadcasting System started airing The Adventures of Superman on the radio three to five times a week.1957 – After 10 years on the air, the children’s show Kukla, Fran, and Ollie broadcast its last episode on network TV. The show featured beloved puppets Kukla, a clown, and Ollie, a dragon. PBS revived the children’s series from 1969–1971.1997 – Princess Diana died in an automobile accident in Paris after her driver attempted to elude tabloid photographers.

Geography TriviaChile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth. Rainfall has never been recorded in its center. The

remainder gets half an inch a year. Being high and dry, it is one of the best places in the world for large

telescopes and solar farms.

Happy Birthday!Maria Montessori (1870–1952) was an Italian educator and physician. The education pioneer developed the Montessori teaching method, which is used worldwide in many public and private schools. In addition to studying medicine, she also did graduate work in theoretical and moral philosophy and psychology. She became interested in teaching practices, initially studying those for mentally disabled children before expanding her scope to include all types of learners. The core of the Montessori doctrine is to support children’s natural instincts for independent learning.

Quote of the Day“Early childhood education is the key to the betterment

of society.”~ Maria Montessori


Documents

On This Date Quote of the Day 1834