ON THIS DAY

On this date in 395 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius the first died of "dropsy." That's right: a group of barbarians dropsy'd him off a cliffsy.

Benjamin Franklin was born on this date, back in 1706. Ben had actually suggested that the turkey be the symbol of our country, instead of the bald eagle. Was he ahead of his time or what?

On this date in 1733, Polar bears went on display for the very first time in Boston.
Momma bear was heard saying to Papa bear, "I told you we should have vacationed in Florida."
Even the bears were saying, "Damn, it's cold here!"
Talk about an usual site... but, in time, the bears got used to seeing people who live in Boston.
It surprised a lot of people. Most thought they would be Chicago Cubs fans.

In 1773, Captain James Cook became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle. It was then he uttered those immortal words, "Uh, I think we missed our turn."

The very first baby born in the White House arrived in the world on this date in 1806. It was Thomas Jefferson's grandchild and, of course, was delivered by the Secretary of Labor.

On this date in 1871 that the first cable car was patented by Andrew S. Hallidie.
The cable car remained popular until the satellite car came along.
Years before cable was invented.
It could drive a long way, but only as far as the cable.
Amazingly, 80 years before the invention of cable. It would be years before the first satellite car.

On this date in 1917, the U.S. paid $25 million for the Virgin Islands. And, I might add, completely taking their word for it.

In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that video-taping TV shows for private use in your home did NOT violate any copyright laws. It was covered in the constitutions "Right to fast-forward through commercials" section.

On this date in 1950, eleven masked men robbed a Brink's office in Boston of $2.7 million. I believe that was Ocean's 1.

In 1961, President Eisenhower gave his farewell address. He forgot to include the ZIP code, but it hadn't been invented yet. It was a Palm Springs address and he said, "Yeah, just forward everything there."

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