Gilbert M. Stack's Blog, page 133
June 16, 2018
Today in History: The First Roller Coaster
On this day (June 16) in 1884 the Switchback Railway (the first roller coaster) was opened to the public in Coney Island. It would transform amusement parks as each park began a quest to have the biggest, best and most exciting roller coaster. It would, unfortunately, also open up new ways for people to be hurt in amusement parks as we saw in the recent derailment of a ride at Daytona Beach, Florida.
June 15, 2018
Today in History: Ben Franklin Flies a Kite
On this day (June 15) in 1752, tradition has it that Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is composed of electricity. Standing upon an insulator with a roof over his head to keep dry, Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm Apparently he did not wait for the kite to be struck by lightning, but used it to attract electrical charge which was demonstrated when sparks “stream out plentifully from the key [tied to the wet kite string] at the approach of your knuckle.”
June 14, 2018
Today in History: Auschwitz
On this day (June 14) in 1940, the first 728 prisoners were brought to the Auschwitz concentration camp. They were taken from the Polish town of Tarnów. At least 1.1 million people would be murdered at Auschwitz by the end of World War II.
June 13, 2018
Today in History: Miranda v. Arizona
On this day (June 13) in 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the police must inform a suspect of his or her right to a lawyer before and during questioning and the right to stay silent so that they do not incriminate themselves. The case was Miranda v. Arizona.
Ernesto Miranda’s case is fascinating. He was arrested in 1963 for the kidnapping and rape of an 18 year old girl. After a two hour interrogation, he signed a confession. His lawyer tried to have the confession excluded from evidence arguing it wasn’t truly voluntary. After the Supreme Court agreed with him, Miranda was retried and convicted without his confession. (His girlfriend testified that he had told her he had committed the crime, plus there was circumstantial evidence.) In 1967 he was sentenced to 20-30 years in prison, but he was paroled in 1972 after which he made his living autographing the cards which hold the printed statement that police use to read the “Miranda rights” to subjects. He was killed in a barroom brawl in 1976.
June 12, 2018
Today in History: Medgar Evers Assassinated
On this day (June 12) in 1963, Medgar Evers was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan. Evers was the Field Secretary for the NAACP and his life was under such constant threat that the FBI and the police routinely escorted him home for his protection. For reasons that have never been adequately explained, there was no escort on June 12 and he was shot in the back by Byron De La Beckwith wielding an Enfield Rifle. His family brought him to a local hospital which initially refused to admit him because he was black. They were convinced to change their mind when they learned who he was but were unable to save his life. Evers death sparked civil rights protests across the country. A World War II veteran, he was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
June 11, 2018
Today in History: The Battle of Machias
On this day (June 11) in 1775, the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War commenced. The British had hired crown loyalist, Ichabod Jones to supply their troops in Boston. Jones brought two ships, protected by a small British sloop (the Margaretta) under the command of Midshipman James Moore, into Machias Harbor in modern day, Maine. When the townspeople found out that they intended to supply the British, they attempted to arrest Jones and Moore, but Moore escaped with his sloop. The townspeople then armed one of the captured vessels plus another ship that was in harbor and went off in pursuit. In the ensuing battle, Moore was killed and his sloop captured.
June 10, 2018
Today in History: Alcoholics Anonymous
On this day (June 10) in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous was started by Dr. Robert Smith and Bill Watson. Smith, a surgeon, had struggled with his alcoholism for years. Bill Watson had found that trying to help other alcoholics deal with their problem helped him to stay sober. With the help of some of their early members, Smith and Watson developed the famous Twelve Step Program of spiritual and character development.
June 9, 2018
The Big 500!
I'm very excited to announce that The Fire Islands, the first book in my Legionnaire series, has now sold more than 500 copies. And it's all thanks to you--my wonderful readers! Thank you!
Today in History: Donald Duck
On this day (June 9) in 1934 Donald Duck appeared for the first time. It was in a seven minute piece called The Wise Little Hen in which Donald and Peter Pig fake being ill to get out of work, but Mrs. Hen teaches them the error of their ways. Donald looked a lot different in this skit, but he still wears his famous sailor suit. You can see an image of the early Donald on my Facebook author page here.
June 8, 2018
Today in History: Edward the Confessor becomes King of England
On this day (June 8) in 1042, Edward the Confessor became King of England. He took an unusual route to the throne. The son of Aethelred the Unready who lost England to Cnut, Edward was brought back to take the crown after Cnut’s sons died. He had no power base in England and was unable to take real power from the Earl Godwin and his sons. Godwin had been responsible for the murder of Edward’s brother and he never forgave the man. There is a theory that his “Confessor” nickname developed in part from his unwillingness to have sexual relations with his wife, who was the daughter of Godwin (thus preventing Godwin from having a grandson become King of England).
