Today is August 27th. • On this date in 1883, the Krakatoa erupted in what was the most powerful volcanic blast in recorded history. The blast was heard up to 3,000 miles away, blew five cubic miles of debris over 50 miles high into the atmosphere, and was generally considered to be a very rude thing for an island to do. The veil of dust | Read More »
Today is August 23rd. • On this date in 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama announced his selection of Joe Biden for running mate in the presidential election. “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.” Said everyone everywhere. • On this date in 1305, William Wallace | Read More »
Today is August 22nd. • On this date in 1902, Teddy Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to ride in an automobile. The car was a Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton. After the ride, Roosevelt famously told the manufacturer “you didn’t build that.” • On this date in 1906, the first Victrola, manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company, was sold. The company’s motto was “I’m | Read More »
Today is August 21st. • On this date in 1911, the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris, France was discovered when an artist set up his easel near the painting, only to find it wasn’t there. It was later learned that the day before, a former employee of the museum had stolen it by walking in, taking it off the wall, | Read More »
Today is August 20th. • On this date in 1741, Vitus Bering first arrived in Alaska. He promptly visited the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru to assure them that he was totally a Strait. • On this date in 1882, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” debuted in Moscow. It was written to commemorate the successful defense of Russia against Napoleon’s invading forces, and to provide cool music for | Read More »
Today is August 15th. • On this date in 1057, King Macbeth of Scotland was slain by Malcolm Canmore. Canmore’s father, King Duncan, had been murdered by Macbeth 17 years earlier. What a drama. Someone should write a play or something about those dudes! • Also on this date, in 1947, British rule of India ended, with the subcontinent being divided into the two independent | Read More »
Today is August 14th. Today the Daily Links returns after a prolonged hiatus due to preparation for the RedState Gathering. • On this date in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act. Also on this date, in 2025, the whole thing went bankrupt and fell apart, probably. • On this date in 1945, President Harry Truman revealed Japan’s unconditional surrender and the | Read More »
Today is June 21st. • On this date in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Today, our constitution is the oldest written constitution to remain the governing document of any nation in the world. Plus it has a wicked cool beat and you can dance to it. • On this date in 1905, French existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre was born. He was a leading figure | Read More »
Today is June 20th. • On this date in 1782, Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States. It took six years of discussion and debate to finalize the seal, during which one congressman said they would have to pass the seal in order to see what was on it. • On this date in 1863, West Virginia was admitted to the Union as | Read More »
Today is June 18th. • On this date in 1812, the War of 1812 began. (The guy that names the wars was out sick that day.) The war officially ended on December 24, 1814, though additional battles took place before the word got out. Awkward. • Also on this date, in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated near the town of Waterloo at the famous Battle | Read More »
Today is June 15th. On this date in 1215, King John put his royal seal on the first part of the Magna Carta, an early example of limitations on the authority of a monarch and codification of the rights of citizens under the law. Plus it would make a great band name, so there’s that. Also on this date, in 1300, Dante, of “‘s Inferno” | Read More »
Today is June 14th. Today is Flag Day, a day commemorating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Today is also the Army’s birthday. It wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese again this year, but I told it it was getting too old for that. In all seriousness, though, happy birthday soldiers, and God Bless. Also on | Read More »
Today is June 13th. On this date in 1922, Charles Osborne got the hiccups. The attack lasted continuously for 68 years, putting him in the Guiness world record book. It is estimated that he hiccuped over 430 million times. It is also estimated that he said the words “yes, I’ve tried that” over 200 million times. Also on this date, in 1983, Pioneer 10 crossed | Read More »
Today is June 12, 2012. On this date in 1979, cyclist Bryan Allen became the first person to cross the English Channel in a human-powered aircraft, piloting the Gossamer Albatross. The plane weighed only 70 pounds when empty, and was powered by pedaling. His only complaints about the journey were being groped by the TSA before takeoff, and that his luggage ended up in Belgium. | Read More »
Today is June 7th. With apologies, this will be an abbreviated Daily Links, for various reasons. But still, consider this an Open Thread. L.A. Council Sided With Celebrities Over Local Business To Ban Plastic Bags | The Blaze “Now a new ad by the American Progressive Bag Alliance criticizes L.A. councilmen for being “star struck” over the celebrities and ignoring local business people” Florida Gov. | Read More »
Today is June 6th. On this date in 1833, Andrew Jackson became the first U.S. President to ride on a train, when he took a trip on B&O Railroad. The ticket was expensive, but he got his money back when he passed GO. The trip was almost a disaster, though, when his tiny dog, top hat, and race car didn’t fit in the overhead compartment. | Read More »
Today is June 1st. On this date in 1792, Kentucky became the 57th U.S. state. I’m sorry, 15th. Also on this date, in 1869, Thomas Edison received a patent for his first electronic voting machine. It was a lever-based system, and he spent the rest of his life fighting allegations that he was the reason George W. Bush won Florida. On this date in 1980, | Read More »
Today is May 30th. On this date in 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Her final words were “do you smell something burning?” Also on this date, in 1997, Neil Young cancelled his entire European tour after having cut his finger while making a ham sandwich. Young makes some very complicated sandwiches. On this date in 1908, the man behind the bunny, | Read More »
Today is May 29th. On this date in 1453, the Siege of Constantinople ended, and the city was conquered by the Ottomans. An artist’s rendering of the battle can be found here. Also on this date, in 1864, Union troops reached Totopotomoy Creek, only to find that the Confederates had anticipated their move and beat them to it. All fighting ceased as everyone tried to | Read More »
Today is May 28th. Today is Memorial Day. Our front page today has several excellent posts honoring the holiday. In today’s header, I included the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, the emblem of the Marine Corps, my branch of service. But I truly honor and am grateful for the service of every single member of the United States Armed Forces, the world’s greatest fighting force. The | Read More »
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