Gilbert M. Stack's Blog, page 147
February 20, 2018
Today in History: Friendship 7
On this day (February 20) in 1962, John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth. In fact he orbited it four times in fifty-five minutes aboard Friendship 7. This is the flight depicted at the end of the movie, Hidden Figures.
February 19, 2018
Today in History: Iwo Jima
On this day (February 19) in 1945 the Battle of Iwo Jima began when 30,000 marines landed on the island. It would eventually cost more than 6800 U.S. lives and 20,000 Japanese lives.
February 18, 2018
Today in History: Operation Teapot
On this day (February Eighteen) in 1955, Wasp, the first of the fourteen nuclear tests composing Operation Teapot, was conducted. Operation Teapot was designed to help the military plan ground tactics on a nuclear battlefield.
February 17, 2018
Today in History: A Submarine Sinks a Warship for the First Time
On this day (February 17) in 1864 the H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink a warship. The Confederate vessel was as dangerous to its crew as it was to other ships. It sank twice in 1863 while being tested killing 5 and 8 crewmembers respectively. Then it successfully sank the U.S.S. Housatonic (killing 5) which was blockading Charleston Harbor but sank because it was only twenty feet away from the exploding torpedo. All eight crewmembers died. The wreck of the Hunley was found in1995 and raised 5 years later and can be seen today in North Charleston.
February 16, 2018
Today in History: Studebaker
On this day (February 16) in 1852 the Studebaker Brothers Wagon Company was founded. Studebaker is especially fascinating because it successfully transitioned from building horse powered wagons to automobiles. (They even experimented with electric cars.) The company got its start building wagons for westward migration, then expanded mightily by providing the Union with wagons during the Civil War. In 1902 they began to sell electric cars but switched to gasoline powered cars in 1904. They remained a family company throughout their existence and that sometimes led to problems finding proper leadership. Financial problems resulted in the closing of the company in 1967.
February 15, 2018
New Review: Fatemarked by David Estes
Check out my review of David Estes' novel, Fatemarked.
Today in History: Sled Dogs Save Nome
On this day (February 15) in 1925 the residents in and around Nome, Alaska were saved from a diphtheria epidemic by the heroic efforts of 20 mushers and 150 sled dogs who transported the serum 674 miles in 5 1/2 days in temperatures ranging from negative-twenty to negative-seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Several mushers suffered severe frostbite and several of the sled dogs died, but the serum arrived in time to prevent the diphtheria from spreading. As it is, it is estimated that more than 100 people died.
