Renaissance Woman
When she was young, Renaissance Woman displayed a great aptitude for writing, but over the years she drifted from her first love. Her jumbled life has found her toiling in the fields of journalism, paralegal work, accounting, human resources, marketing, and sales. She has also earned BA and MA degrees in English Literature, reads widely on many topics, and has served several terms as the local president of a national high IQ society. Today she has rediscovered her love of writing and proudly shares her work with her AC readers.
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Oliver Winchester Born, 1810Oliver Winchester didn't invent the Winchester rifle, nor did he originate the company. But he was the man responsible for the "Gun that Won the West." According to his daughter-in-law, he had a lot of deaths to answer for. -
Jemima Wilkinson, the "Universal Friend", Born, 1752Jemima Wilkinson was a remarkable woman, who established a utopian community in the wilderness of western New York. The community's emphasis on celibacy, however, was responsible for the end of the movement. -
Last Executions Held in Paris, 1972You wouldn't expect the job of chief executioner to be a hotly-contested position. But Andre Obrecht waited most of his adult life for the job to be his. -
Eddystone Lighthouse Destroyed in Great Storm of 1703Henry Winstanley was so pleased with the lighthouse he built that he wished he could be in it during "the greatest storm there ever was." Be careful what you wish for. -
King Tut's Tomb Entered for First Time in Over 3000 Years, 1922On November 26, 1922, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun was entered for the first time in over 3,000 years. It was one of the most tremendous archaeological finds ever. -
The White Ship Sinks, 1120The White Ship returned to England from Normandy, bearing the only son of Henry I. History might have been quite different if they hadn't hit that rock. -
D. B. Cooper Parachutes from Boeing 727, 1971On November 24, 1971, D. B. Cooper parachuted from a Boeing 727 into a freezing rainstorm with $200,000 in stolen money. He was never seen again. -
Thespis Wins Best Actor Award, 534 BCThespis was a real person, the first to perform as a character in a presentation, rather than just as a choral actor. Aristotle said that Thespis invented acting. -
Cutty Sark Launched in Dumbarton, 1869The Cutty Sark is one of the last clipper ships in existence. It was named after a scantily clad woman in a poem by Robert Burns. -
How to Write a Christmas Newsletter Everyone Will LoveIt's not hard to write the perfect Christmas newsletter. Just follow these ten tips and you'll have a newsletter everyone will love. -
Are High Dose Flu Shots a Good Choice for Seniors?The new high-dosage flu vaccines for seniors may protect you better -- or it may just make you sick.
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Death of the "Birdman of Alcatraz", 1963Robert Stroud served 54 of his 73 years in prison, 42 of them in isolation. During his years in prison he studied French, law, astronomy, and engineering. He also contributed a great deal to the world's knowledge of canaries and other birds. -
Birth of First Pilgrim Child in New World, 1620Peregrine White was the first Pilgrim child born in the New World. He was born onboard ship, on November 20, 1620. -
Ivan the Terrible Kills His Son, 1581Ivan the Terrible killed his son in a moment of anger. Afterwards, he was sorry. -
Louis XIV Has a Delicate Operation, 1686Louis XIV's physicians couldn't do anything for him, so he sent for a surgeon. The operation was such a success, soon everyone wanted one. -
Last Inhabitant Evacuated from Blasket Islands, 1953Life on Blasket Islands was hard, and often dangerous. When the government finally decided to evacuate them, there were only 22 islanders left to relocate. -
Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaenva Romanov Born, 1895She was the oldest daughter of the Romanov family, and her life would end tragically when she was only 22 years old.
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Death of "Baby Fae", 1984Baby Fae was given given a baboon's heart in an extremely controversial transplant operation. She lived another 20 days -- longer than anyone had survived before.
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2013 Chevy Spark Will Come in PinkSmall size, hidden doors, and bold new color choices make the 2013 Chevrolet Spark the cutest car ever.
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Moby Dick Published in US, 1851Moby Dick was first published in the United States on November 14, 1851. It was Melville's sixth book, but it was nowhere near as popular as his first five had been.
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2011 Thanksgiving Dinners and Buffets in Southeast MichiganIf you'd rather eat out this Thanksgiving, the Metropolitan Detroit area has tons of great options.
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2011 Thanksgiving Carry-Out in Southeast MichiganIf you love Thanksgiving but hate to cook, think about ordering your dinner pre-cooked this holiday season. The options are delicious!
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St. Brice's Day Massacre, 1002On November 13, 1002, Aethelred the Unready ordered all the Danes in England killed. It was over a thousand years before we found the bodies.
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Unusual Michigan BusinessesThese four Michigan businesses were all founded with someone with a dream in their heart and an idea about an unusual way of making money.
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The Great Oregon Whale Explosion, 1970The dead whale weighed eight tons, and was dead on a beach in Oregon. How would could the Highway Division get rid of it? Oh well, there's always dynamite.
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Van Gogh Painting Sold for Record Price, 1987The painting was created in an asylum near the end of van Gogh's life. The price paid was the highest ever paid for a painting at that time.
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Henry Wirz Hanged for Crimes at Andersonville, 1865Henry Wirz was the only Confederate officer ever convicted of war crimes after the Civil War. But was he really guilty?
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Cullinan Diamond Presented to Edward VII, 1907When discovered, the Cullinan Diamond was the largest ever found. The Transvaal Government presented it as a birthday gift to King Edward, but they had curious ideas about security.
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Margaret Mitchell Born, 1900Margaret Mitchell was the author of the best-selling book "Gone With the Wind." The story might never have been written if the author hadn't broken her ankle.
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The Mary Celeste Sails from New York, 1872The Mary Celeste, a 282-ton brigantine, was found 600 miles off the coast of Portugal, with not a soul on board. No one knows what happened to the crew or passengers.
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The Man Who Sold the Eiffel TowerThe true story of Victor Lustig, the man who sold the Eiffel Tower for scrap -- twice!! And that was only one of his cons...
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Quirky Michigan AttractionsTired of the same-old, same-old? Michigan's the home of some truly unusual attractions, to a museum full of nun dolls, to the final resting place of some of the greatest magicians of all time.
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First European Sets Foot in Texas, 1528Cabeza de Vaco was one of four men out of 600 who survived this extraordinary expedition to the New World.
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Fala DayThe little Scottish Terrier was originally named "Big Boy," but Franklin Roosevelt changed his name to "Murray the Outlaw of Falahill."
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Death of Paul Delaroche, 1856A French painter of the Academic School, Paul Delaroche's work speaks for itself.
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Black Bart's Last Stagecoach Robbery, 1883He was always polite, he never fired a gun, and he wrote poetry. But Charles Bowles, aka Black Bart the Bandit, had a grudge against the Wells Fargo Company.
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Lady Chatterley's Lover Found Not Obscene, 1960On this day in 1960, a British jury ruled that the book "Lady Chatterley's Lover" was not obscene. It had not been a foregone conclusion.
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Sistine Chapel Paintings Revealed, 1512Michelangelo didn't really want to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. He thought his enemies had nominated him because they thought he would fail.
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Death of Harry Houdini, 1926A combination of a bout of appendicitis and an unlucky punch killed the greatest escape artist of all time. But for 10 years afterward, his wife attempted to contact the dead.
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Charles Atlas Born, 1892In just 15 minutes a day, he could make a man out of you. Charles Atlas really had been the 97 pound weakling he told us about.
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Boswell's Best: Top 10 Quotes by Samuel JohnsonJames Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson" is a good book, but a long one. Here are a few quotes by Johnson to whet your appetite.
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James Boswell Born, 1740He may have written one of the greatest biographies in the English language, but James Boswell was a man with more than a few quirks.
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Auguste Escoffier Born, 1846Escoffier changed the way the whole world thinks about French cuisine.
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NIccolo Paganini Born, 1782People said Paganini had sold his soul to the devil. More likely, his talent depended on a genetic disorder.
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Detroit Area Museums Are a Halloween TreatIf you're wondering what to do this Halloween weekend, why not check out some of the great programs at our local Detroit-area museums?
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Holiday Craft Shows in Southeast MichiganThe Holiday Craft Show Season is starting! Don't miss these terrific shows.
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Washington's Donkeys Arrive in America, 1785Did you know George Washington was the first American to breed mules?
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Edgar Allan Poe: 10 Things You May Not KnowThing you know all there is to know about the Master of the Macabre? Guess again!
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The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854An ambiguous message, and a failure to question orders, led to a military catastrophe. The story of the Charge of the Light Brigade continues to haunt our memories.
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Annie Taylor Jumps the Falls, 1901The first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel was a 63 year old retired schoolteacher. She didn't get exactly what she expected afterwards.
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Nicolas Appert Born, 1752Nicolas Appert is called the Father of Modern Canning. He might have invented the process anyway, but the prize money certainly didn't hurt.
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First Modern Parachute Jump, 1797Garnerin went up 3,000 feet in a hot air balloon and then parachuted to earth. It was a bumpy ride, but it was the first time it had ever been done.
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John Paul Getty III Loses an Ear, 1973When they first heard, his family thought that John Paul Getty III was faking the kidnapping. After all, he'd joked about it so often...
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Pirate Calico Jack Captured, 1720Calico Jack was a moderately successful pirate at best. He is probably best known for having two women pirates on his crew.
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9 Great Films to Get You into the Halloween SpiritI have to admit -- I'm not crazy about modern slash-and-gore flicks. And the old horror standards sometimes bore me. If you feel the same way, don't despair! There are still some great scary movies out there!!!
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Macabre Masterpieces at the Detroit Institute of ArtsIt's nearly Halloween and time to appreciate all things eerie. Here are a few of my favorite creepy paintings at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
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First Antibiotic Remedy for Tuberculosis Discovered, 1943Tuberculosis has been around nearly as long as mankind itself. It took a long time to find a remedy.
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Salomon Andree Born, 1854The Andree polar balloon expedition was a source of great national pride to the Swedish people, but the project was doomed, almost from the beginning.
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London Beer Flood, 1814When the largest vat at the Meux and Company Brewer burst in 1814, beer swept through the streets with all the force of a tidal wave. Eight people -- or perhaps nine -- were killed.
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The Captain of Koepenick Caper, 1906Wilhelm Voigt had trouble holding onto a job. But it wasn't a lack of ingenuity that held him back...
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Death of Mata Hari, 1917She was a world-famous exotic dancer, a courtesan, and a woman with a dramatic flair. Was she also a spy? History isn't so clear on that score.
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Eugene Fodor Born, 1905Eugene Fodor revolutionized the world of travel guides with his light-hearted approach to travel. Along the way, he also spied for the CIA.
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Molly Pitcher Born, 1754Yes, there really was a Molly Pitcher. She performed heroically during the American Revolution, and was even awarded a pension.
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The Pledge of Allegiance First Recited in Public Schools, 1892The Pledge of Allegiance has changed a lot since 1892
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Parson Weems Born, 1759His name may not be familiar, but you've surely heard his stories. Parson Weems was the author who immortalized the story of George Washington and the cherry tree.
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Tuxedo Introduced to America, 1886The tuxedo was admired almost as soon as it was invented. It was just what men needed for those less formal dinner occasions.
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Leif Ericson Discovers America, C. 1000October 9th has been celebrated as Leif Ericson Day in the United States since 1964. The date commemorates both the discovery of North America, and the beginning of Norwegian immigration to the United States.
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Pierogy DayWhether you call them pierogi, pierogies, pirohy, or just delicious, today is the day to celebrate this terrific dumpling!
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Thomas James Wise, Bibliophile and Forger, Born 1859Thomas Wise was a lover of books and a respected expert and collector. Sadly, he used his expertise to create some excellent forgeries.
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Moulin Rouge Opens, 1889The most famous nightclub in Montmartre opened on this day in 1889.
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First Bond Film Released, 1962"Dr. No," the first film of the James Bond movie series, was released on this date in 1962. Although critical reception was intitally tepid, the movie was a financial success, and would spawn 21 sequels.
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Work Begins on Mt. Rushmore, 1927Doane Robinson's plan was to bring tourists to South Dakota. The plan worked -- although not exactly in the way he had imagined.
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Edgar Allan Poe Discovered Delirious in Baltimore, 1849Edgar Allan Poe was discovered, disheveled and delirious, on the streets of Baltimore on October 3, 1949. Where had he been since September 27? And whose clothes did he have on?
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President Woodrow Wilson Suffers Stroke, 1919Woodrow Wilson suffered a serious stroke just 17 months before the end of his Presidency. Did he truly run the country after that -- or was the power in someone else's hands?
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Death of E. B. White, 1985E. B. White was the author of the children's classics "Stuart Little" and "Charlotte's Web." It took quite a little effort to get Stuart Little into the library, however.
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Little Women Published, 1868It's one of the best-loved books for young readers of all time, but Louisa May Alcott didn't want to write it.
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MichaelmasMichaelmas is celebrated as the Feast Day of the Archangel Michael. Of course, like so many other Christian holidays, the festival is rich in pagan traditions.
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William I Invades England, 1066King Harold wasn't really prepared to deal with two invasions at once. Especially not when one was led by the powerful William of Normandy, who had been surviving battles since his childhood.
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Last Balinese Tiger Killed, 1937The Balinese Tiger was the first of the tiger subspecies to become extinct. Unfortunately, it wasn't the last.
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August Mobius Died, 1868The Mobius strip has all kinds of mathematical applications, but it's also a nifty little toy to play with. If you like the Mobius strip, you'll love the Klein bottle!
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A Short History of the Chimney SweepToday begins National Chimney Safety Week. Unfortunately, the job of cleaning chimneys hasn't always been a safe one.
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Faneuil Hall Opens, 1742When Peter Faneuil offered to build the town of Boston a market place, they weren't quite sure they wanted one.
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"Typhoid Mary" Born, 1869Mary Mallon infected 33 people with typhoid and was responsible for three deaths. But there were many other "healthy carriers" of the disease. Why was Mary singled out?
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Hobbit Day, Since 1978Today we celebrate the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. We are also in the midst of Tolkien Week, and yesterday marked the 74th anniversary of the publication of "The Hobbit."
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Death of Chief Joseph, 1904Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce lived to see treaty after treaty broken by the white man.
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Arthur Tudor Born, 1486Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales, was meant to have been the hope of England, the dawn of a new Golden Age. What was the disease that took him, far too young, from his people?
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Giles Corey Pressed to Death in Salem Village, 1692During the Salem witchcraft trials, 19 people were hanged, and one man was crushed to death. His name was Giles Corey
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Charles Tiffany Opens an Emporium, 1837With a $1000 investment, Tiffany and his friend opened a stationery and gift store. Today the brand is synonymous with fine diamonds and jewelry.
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Joshua Norton Becomes Emperor of United States, 1859Joshua Abraham Norton was the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, by his own decree. The citizens of his capital city of San Francisco loved the man.
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Soviet Champion Saves 20 Lives, 1976Shavarsh Karapetyan had won 13 European Championships and 7 USSR Championships for finswimming. After the events of September 16, 1976, he would never swim competitively again.
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Serial Murderer Gilles De Rais Arrested, 1440Gilles de Rais was a compatriot of Joan of Arc, and renowned for his military prowess. He may also have murdered 80 to 600 children.
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McKinley Dies from Assassination Attempt, 1901The man that shot McKinley thought he was doing it for the public good.
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Phineas Gage Has Unusual Accident, 1848The explosion drove the iron rod right through Phineas Gage's head -- and provided a springboard for the study of brain function.
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Braxton County Monster Sighted, 1952There was a bright light, a strange smell, and a 10-foot-tall alien. Could it really have been only an owl?
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Santiago Defended by a Woman, 1541Ines de Suarez had come to the New World to join her husband, but he was already dead. Instead, she became the mistress of a Conquistador, and a great heroine of her people
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Elisabeth of Austria Assassinated, 1898She was one of the most beautiful women in the world -- and one of the most unhappy.
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Stono Slave Rebellion, 1739The Stono Rebellion was one of the earliest slave rebellions in the New World. An interesting mix of circumstances made the rebellion possible -- and perhaps inevitable.
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Galveston Hurricane of 1900It was the deadliest natural disaster to ever strike the United States. Even today it's still known as The Great Storm.
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Grandma Moses Born, 1860Grandma Moses became famous for her beautiful, folk-art style paintings. It was either that or raise chickens, according to Grandma Moses.
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Tsar Ivan V Born, 1666For most of his life, Ivan V couldn't walk without assistance. He would sit quietly and stare at the floor for hours. He was clearly not cut out to be a Tsar, but terrible things were done in his name.
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Beards Taxed by Peter the Great, 1698Peter the Great had been very impressed with the capitals of Western Europe, and wanted his capital to be as fine and modern. One of the first things he did was to prohibit (or at least discourage) the growth of beards.
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National Waffle Week: History of the WaffleWaffles were invented by the Ancient Greeks, but it wasn't until the Europeans got to North America that maple syrup entered the equation. Celebrate National Waffle Week with a tasty waffle -- and a small bite of food history.
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Diane De Poitiers Born, 1499She was one of the most beautiful women in the world, and she was intelligent and cultured as well. No wonder the King of France adored her.
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The Great Fire of London, 1666The Great Fire of London burned for three days and cost over a billion pounds worth of damage. Is it possible that it only killed four people?
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Last Passenger Pigeon Died, 1914Once huge flocks that stretched for miles covered the skies. In less than a hundred years they were all but eradicated from the earth. And then Martha, the last passenger pigeon died, and the birds were no more.
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First Victim of Jack the Ripper Killed, 1888123 years later, we're still fascinated by Jack the Ripper.
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Burgess Shale Fossils Discovered, 1909When Charles Doolittle Walcott discovered a major fossil deposit in the Canadian Rockies, he knew that he'd made quite a find. Little did he know how important his discovery was.
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Death of Edmond Hoyle, 1769On August 29, 1769, Edmond Hoyle died at 97 years of age. He was the world authority on Whist, and he got the credit for many other books of rules, too.
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George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, Born, 1592George Villiers was said to be the handsomest man in all Europe, and he could dance and duel as well. James I was certainly smitten with him, and his rise was mercurial.
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"Young" King and Queen of England Crowned, 1172They called him Henry the Young King to distinguish him from his father, King Henry II of England. Both held the title at the same time, but only the Senior Henry held the power.
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The Battle of Crecy, 1346The Battle of Crecy was the beginning of the end for the Age of Chivalry. It was also a triumph for better military strategy and technology over sheer numbers.
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James Lick Born, 1796This San Francisco entrepreneur left a wonderful gift to the people of San Francisco, and to astronomers all over the world. He certainly was a man to hold a grudge, however.
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Mount Vesuvius Erupts, 79 ADWhen Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the destruction was devastating. It wasn't the first time the volcano had erupted, and it wouldn't be the last.
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Original Stockholm Syndrome Case, 1973The term "Stockholm Syndrome" was coined in 1973, to apply to the hostages from an attempted bank robbery in Sweden. But was it really a case of the syndrome?
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Virginia Clemm Poe Born, 1822Virginia was the child bride of Edgar Allan Poe. She was only 13 when she married her cousin, but the couple was devoted to each other.
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The History of MarmaladeMarmalade has been around since at least the Ancient Romans. Surprisingly, it was originally made from quince.
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Rudolf of Austria Born, 1858Archduke Rudolf appeared destined to become an emperor, but he died tragically at the age of 30. Was it suicide? Or a political assassination?
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International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight VigilEvery year, over three and a half million homeless animals are put to death in animal shelters across the country. It doesn't have to be that way. See how you can help.
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American Masterpieces at the Detroit Institute of ArtsThe Detroit Institute of Arts is truly one of the gems of Detroit. The next time you visit the DIA, be sure to take a good look at some of these American masterpieces.
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Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, Born 1596She was born the daughter of James I, and became the grandmother of George I of England. In between she married the man she loved and produced 13 children.
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Virginia Dare Born at Roanoke Colony, 1587Virginia Dare was the first child born to English parents in the New World. But no one knows what happened to her.
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Mae West Born, 1893Mae West was not just a unique performer, she was an accomplished writer and had an uncanny knack for publicity. There'll never be another Mae!
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Death of Joe Miller, Jokesmith, 1738He was a pretty serious guy when he was hanging out with his friends, so they began attributing all the latest jokes to him. And then someone thought to publish a book...
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"Blind Jack" Metcalf Born, 1717John Metcalf was blind by the age of six, but he didn't let that stop him. He became a musician, a soldier, an entrepreneur, and built over 180 miles of roads in England
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Margaret Pole Born, 1473Margaret Pole was the niece of one English king, and a political threat to another one. But it was her son Reginald that really got her into trouble...
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Circus Acrobat Crowned King of Albania, 1913He was a circus acrobat, a magician, and a sword-swallower. Was it Otto Witte's fault that he also looked exactly like the nephew of the Ottoman Sultan?
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Dinosaur Special Exhibits in DetroitIf you love dinosaurs -- or your kids do -- check out one or all of these great dino exhibits in the Detroit area. But hurry! They're all going away after Labor Day.
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Death of Cleopatra, 30 BCCleopatra, so the story goes, committed suicide by deliberate provoking a fatal snakebite. But is that what really happened?
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Comstock Silver Mine Opened, 1860On August 11, 1860, the Comstock Silver Mine Opened. The Comstock Lode had only been discovered a short time earlier -- before that, prospectors had been washing the silver ore away.
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Madeleine of Valois Born, 1520Madeleine of Valois was a fragile and sickly child. Her father had her raised in the Loire Valley to protect her health. But at the age of 16, she was sent to the cold Scottish climate to be a bride for James V.
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Izaak Walton Born, 1593Izaak Walton is know for "The Compleat Angler," a book that has never been out of print in the past 350+ years. It is not so much a book on how to fish, as it is on how to live.
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Part IV of the Story of Margaret TudorMargaret finally got her divorce, but her third husband wasn't much better than her second.
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Part III of the Story of Margaret TudorThe Scottish nobles hate Margaret's new husband. Pretty soon, Margaret does too.
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Part II of the Story of Margaret TudorThe Perpetual Peace between England and Scotland only lasted nine years.
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Margaret Tudor Marries James IV of Scotland, August 8, 1503Margaret Tudor's marriage to James IV was supposed to ensure a lasting peace between England and Scotland. Quite a challenging job for a 13-year-old girl.
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Hatfield and McCoy Feud Gets Serious, 1882The famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys got started during the Civil War. Later on, it involved a pig, a woman, and an ever-increasing body count. Eventually, even the Supreme Court got involved.
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First Execution by Electrocution, 1890On August 6, 1890, William Kemmler was the first man to die by electric chair. The real drama, however, lay in the controversy over Alternating Current.
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National Underwear DayOn this day commemorating underwear, it's a good time to ponder the truly important questions in Life. Such as: What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?
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Hans Christian Andersen Died, 1875His fairy tales are among the most-beloved of all children's stories. But Hans Christian Andersen wanted to be respected as an author for adults.
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Joseph Paxton, "Prince of Gardeners", Born, 1803Joseph Paxton started out as a humble groundsman. Before his career was finished he developed some of the most astounding gardens in England, built the Crystal Palace, and was knighted.
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William II Slain in the New Forest, 1100William II, or William Rufus, was not a king popular with the clergy. When he died in a hunting accident, they blamed it on his wicked life.
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Calamity Jane Died, 1903Calamity Jane was a wild woman of the West, although perhaps not quite as wild as she claimed to be.
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Last Issue of Rum by British Navy, 1970Black Tot Day was the last day rum was issued by the British Navy. It was the end of a long and honorable tradition.
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Maria Anna Mozart Born, 1751Wolfgang Amadeus wasn't the only child prodigy in the Mozart household. His older sister, Maria Anna, was also a very talented individual.
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Mary Queen of Scots Marries Lord Darnley, 1565It was said to be a true love match, an unusual marriage for a monarch. But before it was over, the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, became truly ugly.
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Federal Troops Sent to Disperse the "Bonus Army", 1932In 1932, veterans from all over the country assembled in Washington D.C. They wanted the money they'd been promised, and they wanted it now.
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Macbeth Defeated by Siward, 1054There was a real Macbeth, and on this day in history he was defeated by the forces of Siward, the Earl of Northumbria. The truth isn't exactly the same story that you may have heard from the Bard, however.
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George Catlin, Painter of Indians, Born 1796George Catlin devoted most of his life to depicting the lives and character of the Native American. Eventually, his 500-plus collection became the property of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Death of Joaquin Murrieta, 1853Joaquin was thought by some to be a California Gold Rush version of Robin Hood. Others thought he was a bloodthirsty criminal. Either way, his head ended up in a jar of alcohol -- if that was really him.
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Disaster Onboard the S.S. Eastland, 1915In terms of loss of life, it was the worst disaster to ever hit Chicago. 844 people died, only 20 feet from shore.
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First Typing Machine Patented, 1829William Austin Burt was the inventor of the first typing machine. He also invented the solar compass, a device that made surveying possible in areas with high mineral deposits, and would change the history of Michigan.
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Pied Piper of Hamelin Steals Hamelin's Children, 1376On July 22, 1376, a man dressed in motley stole away 130 children from the German town of Hamelin. Or so the stories say. Did such an event really happen, or is it pure legend?
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Temple of Artemis Destroyed by Arson, 356 BCThe Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was destroyed by a man named Herostratus on July 21, 356 BC, and the authorities decreed that we should never know his name.
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Apollo 11's Alleged Moon Landing, 1969On July 20, 1969, man first set foot on the moon. Or did he?
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Lizzie Borden Born, 1860"Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her father forty whacks..." Or did she?
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Jews Expelled from England, 1290On July 18, 1290, Edward I ordered the Edict of Expulsion against the Jews.
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Wrong Way Corrigan Takes Off for "California", 1938Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan set off for California, from New York, on July 17, 1938. He ended up in Ireland. Was he really that confused?
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Anne Askew Burned at the Stake, 1546Anne Askew had been sentenced to die in one of the more horrible ways imaginable. But she had a friend who helped her to a speedy death.
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Thomas Bulfinch Born, 1796Bulfinch's Mythology is a wonderful introduction to the mythology of Ancient Greece and the legends of the Middle Ages. More than 150 years after its initial publication, the work is still an educational staple
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Quentin Roosevelt Killed in Action, 1918Quentin Roosevelt was the youngest son of Teddy Roosevelt. He was killed in action during World War I on July 14, 1918.
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The New York Draft Riots of 1863The New York Draft Riots lasted 4 days. Although they started out as a protest against the draft, they quickly turned into a pogrom.
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The Bisbee Deportation of 1917On July 12, 1917, nearly 1300 striking miners were forced from their homes in Bisbee, Arizona, and abandoned in Hermanas, New Mexico.
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Thomas Bowdler, the Man Who Censored ShakespeareThomas Bowdler was born on July 11, 1754. He is famous for his version of Shakespeare -- with all the naughty bits taken out.
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July 10: Lady Jane Grey Become Queen of England, 1553The Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England for only nine days. She was executed for a rebellion that she had no part in.
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July 9: Henry VIII Divorces Anne of Cleves, 1540On July 9, 1540 Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves was annulled. She not only escaped with her neck -- not something all of Henry's wives succeeded in doing -- but she went away with a nice settlement.
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July 8: Etienne De Silhouette Born, 1709Silhouette was a man made significant by his insignificance.
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July 7: Anton Karas Born, 1906Anton Karas may have been the real star of the 1949 classic movie, "The Third Man." His zither score certainly created a world-wide sensation.
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July 6: Sedan Nuclear Test, 1962The Sedan test was an attempt to find peaceful uses for nuclear power, but it created a lot of radioactive material. More than 40 years later, it nearly created an international incident
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July 5: Dolly the Sheep Born, 1996Dolly was the first mammal cloned from an adult somantic cell. Was her early demise a consequent of the cloning process?
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July 4: Lewis Carroll Tells Alice a Story, 1862On July 4, 1862 two young men and three little girls went on a picnic. One of those girls was Alice.
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July 3: The Dog Days of SummerThe Dog Days of Summer are the hottest part of the year. To the ancients, they were also a time when malevolent spirits walked the earth.
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July 2: Charles Guiteau Shoots President Garfield, 1881Charles Guiteau shot President James A. Garfield on July 2, 1881. He was a disturbing man with a disturbing life.
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July 1: Grover Cleveland's Secret Surgery, 1893On July 1, 1893, Grover Cleveland had an operation. It was imperative that the public didn't find out about it.
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June 30: The Tunguska Event, 1908The Tunguska Event took place on June 30, 1908. It was the largest meteoroid explosion in recorded history.
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June 28: Ned Kelly Captured, 1880Ned Kelly was a bushranger, an outlaw, and a folk hero to Australians. On this day in 1880, he was captured.
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June 27: Seven Sleepers DaySeven Sleepers Day is celebrated in Germany on June 27th. According to lore, the weather on this day will determine -- or predict -- the weather for the next seven weeks.
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June 26: Branwell Bronte Born, 1817Branwell Bronte, the brother of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily Bronte, was born on June 26, 1817. He had talent in his own right, but seemed incapable of doing anything productive with it.
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June 24: Outbreak of Dancing Sickness in Aachen, Germany, 1374The Dancing Plague hit Aachen, Germany on June 24th, 1374. Some of the victims danced until they died.
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June 23: Vincent Chin Killed in Highland Park, 1982On June 23, 1982, Vincent Chin was beaten to death in HIghland Park, Michigan. His attackers thought he was Japanese.
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June 21st Holidays and ObservancesMarie-Joseph Angelique was executed for the burning of Montreal on June 21, 1734. On June 21, 1759, Alexander J. Dallas was born, the first Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Court.
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June 20th Holidays and ObservancesOn June 20, 1756, a lot of British soldiers died in a very tiny place -- the Black Hole of Calcutta. In 1631, the Irish village of Baltimore was sacked by the Barbary Pirates.
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June 19th Holidays and ObservancesJune 19, 1586 was the date that the first colonists at Roanoke returned to England. June 19, 1978 is the day that the "Garfield" comic strip premiered.
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June 18th Holidays and ObservancesSusan B. Anthony was fined $100 for voting on June 18, 1873. She never paid the fine. June 18, 1877 is the birthday of James Montgomery Flagg, the artist responsible for the famous "Uncle Sam Wants YOU" poster.
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June 17th Holidays and ObservancesOn June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty entered New York Harbor. On June 17, 1462, Vlad the Impaler attacks the Turks in their camp, attempting to assassinate Sultan Mehmed II.
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June 16th Holidays and ObservancesJune 16, 1904, is the date that all the actions take place in James Joyce's "Ulysses." June 16, 1816 was the day that a friendly reading party led to a great work of literature, and a whole genre of fiction.
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June 15th Holidays and ObservancesJune 15, 1904 was the date the General Slocum died, the worst disaster in New York until the September 11th attack. The first fatal aviation accident took place on June 15, 1785
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June 14th Holidays and ObservancesIt's International Steampunk Day! June 14, 1822 was the day Babbage proposed his "Difference Engine." And June 14, 1623 is the date of the first Breach of Promise Suit in (what is now) the United States.
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June 13th Holidays and ObservancesJune 13, 1863 is the birthday of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon, who invented the modern fashion show. June 13, 1886 marks the death of Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria, who built the famous "Sleeping Beauty" castle.
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June 12th Holidays and ObservancesJune 12, 1899 was the date of the New Richmond tornado. June 12, 1997 saw the opening of the Globe Theater -- in its third incarnation.
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June 11th Holidays and ObservancesOn June 11, 1776, the Committee of Five was appointed. On June 11, 1962, the only successful (?) escape from Alcatraz took place.
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June 10th Holidays and ObservancesOn June 10, 1829, Amelia Dyer was executed. She may have killed as many as 400 babies. June 10, 1943 is the day Laszlo Biro patented his ball point pen.
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June 9th Holidays and ObservancesToday is the anniversary of Donald Duck's first screen appearance, and the birthday of actor Bob Cummings.
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June 8th Holidays and ObservancesThe vikings raided Lindisfarne in 793. John Everett Millais, Pre-Raphaelite painter, was born in 1829. In 1959, the Post Office gave rocket mail a shot.
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June 7th Holidays and ObservancesCarrie Nation attacked her first saloon on June 6, 1899. "The $64,000 Dollar Question" premiered in 1955. 1943 was the birth date of Ken Osmond ("Eddie Haskell"). And the discoverer of the anesthetic properties of chloroform was born in 1811.
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June 6th Holidays and ObservancesThe first drive-in was opened on June 6, 1933. And on June 6, 1939, a New York judge disappears under suspicious circumstances.
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June 5th Holidays and ObservancesOn June 5th, 1917, conscription for World War I began. In 1922 the man who started the Klondike Gold Rush died. And in 1895, William Boyd, better known as Hopalong Cassidy, was born.
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June 4th Holidays and ObservancesThe Cleveland Indian fans rioted on Cheap Beer Night in 1974. Emily Davison, a suffragette got run down by a horse in 1913. And in 1787, Mozart gave a funeral for his pet sparrow.