ON THIS DAY

The ancient Roman poet Horace was born on this date in 65 BC. Besides poetry, he wrote many of the popular books of the day, including "See You Later, Gladiator" and the complete line of Dr. Zeus books.

In 1790, U.S. Congress moved from New York to Philadelphia.

• I don't remember the faces of any of the congress people, but Independence Hall rang a bell.
• Even New York had their standards.
• Truth be told, New York told them to leave. Don't think they didn't count the silverware on their way out.
• If the Liberty Bell is listening to this, "Hey, no cracks!"
• They eventually had a House Warming party, but not a Senate Warming party.
• Gee, if we only hadn't given the forwarding address.

On this day in 1799, the feudal system was abolished in Denmark. There had been a few that enjoyed it, but the majority of the people found it feudal.

It was in 1825, President John Adams suggested establishment of a U.S. observatory. He might have had his telescope plan approved if he also hadn't requested that it be pointed at the widow Hawkins' house.

In 1877, that Thomas Edison made the very first sound recording. It was him, uttering those immortal words, "Why in the heck doesn't this thing work. Oh, there it is!"

On this date in 1884, construction was completed on the Washington monument. Frankly, I still don't think it looks anything like him.

In 1923, Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. President to speak on the radio. His first words: "Am I the 9th caller?' (or, "I'd like to request some Al Jolson and dedicate it to my wife")

On this date in 1957, a Vanguard rocket blew up on the launching pad at Cape Canaveral during America's first attempt to launch a satellite. The Soviet Union ended up being the first ones to get a satellite in space, even though they were Russian.

In 1973, House minority leader Gerald R. Ford became the first unelected vice-president of the United States, after the resignation of Spiro T. Agnew. He eventually became president, after the resignation of Richard Nixon. So, he became Vice-president and President without ever running for the offices. Nice work if you can get it.