On this day in 1896, an Austrian Jewish immigrant and son of an Austrian candy maker opened a shop in New York City. His name was Leo Hirschfield and, while the name may be unfamiliar, the candy he soon created probably isn't. And no, I'm not talking about Bromangelon Jelly Powder, a gelatin dessert powder … Continue reading “Whatever It Is I Think I see…”
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Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…
In 1963, a man named Jack Babb visited the UK at the behest of Peter Prichard. Prichard was a London talent agent whose close friend, Brian Epstein, had recently begun managing a new musical group that was rapidly growing in popularity across Europe. Babb, who was a talent scout himself, was searching for acts to … Continue reading Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…
“This Odious Column of Bolted Metal”
In the late 1880's, to honor the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the French government began planning the 1889 Paris International Exposition, a kind of "world's fair" that would bring thousands of people to the French capital to marvel at the architecture, sample its foods, and get a taste--not only for French culture--but for … Continue reading “This Odious Column of Bolted Metal”
Time of Death….
Dr. James Bedford died on January 12, 1967. Sort of. Unlike the millions of deaths that came before his, Bedford did not go to the grave with an intent to stay there. Therefore, his body is not buried underground, nor are his ashes contained to an urn or scattered somewhere he held dear. No, Dr. … Continue reading Time of Death….
“I’m an American; I have RIGHTS!”
In December 1941, President Roosevelt, praising "the great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity," designated the first 'Bill of Rights' day by declaring: “Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate December 15, 1941, as Bill of Rights Day. And I call upon the officials … Continue reading “I’m an American; I have RIGHTS!”
From the Back of the Bus to the U.S. Capitol
On Thursday, December 1, 1955, a 42-year-old woman named Rosa Parks boarded a bus to commute home from a long day of work at the Montgomery Fair department store. Per Alabama law, the front of a Montgomery bus was reserved for white citizens, and the seats behind them for black citizens. At some point during … Continue reading From the Back of the Bus to the U.S. Capitol
No Room At the Inn…Again
In the autumn of 1898, two traveling salesmen, John H. Nicholson of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Samuel E. Hill of Beloit, Wisconsin, both arrived at the Central House Hotel at Boscobel, Wisconsin, for the night. The hotel was crowded, harkening back to a story with which the two Christian men were well-aware: "there was no room … Continue reading No Room At the Inn…Again
Constantine and the Cross
By the third century, the Roman Empire--the most powerful and wealthy empire the world had ever seen--was in a state of chaos. Civil wars, invasions, and disease were rampant. Things were so bad, in fact, that historians would later refer to this period as "the Crisis of the Third Century." Emperor Diocletian tried to bring … Continue reading Constantine and the Cross
My Cursed Birthday
It's my birthday! That's right--I'm an October 13th baby and, naturally, I think it's the perfect date: the colorful leaves, the subtle crispness to the air, the scent of all things pumpkin. I consider myself pretty doggone lucky to have been born at such a perfect time of year. Except, of course, for those few … Continue reading My Cursed Birthday
The Tylenol Scare of 1982
On September 29, 1982, a twelve year-old girl by the name of Mary Kellerman of Elk Grove, Illinois woke up with a sore throat and runny nose. By 7 a.m., she was dead. Later that day, a twenty-seven year-old postal worker named Adam Janus from Arlington Heights, Illinois also died. His brother Stanley, 25, and … Continue reading The Tylenol Scare of 1982
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