Wondering about wild grapes

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Things That Happened On This Day

If one looks back in time, a lot of history can be seen and you don't have to look very far.  What happened yesterday is history today and all that came before it.  I always find it interesting to see what all happened back in history on every day of the year, and today is no exception.  So here are some things that happened on this day in the past.

Back in 1782, about 4 years before America declared its independence, then a general, George Washington authorizes the award of the Purple Heart for soldiers wounded in combat.  So, the American Purple Heart out dates the United States.  I didn't know that and just figured it got started during the 1st World War.  Guess I was wrong, and no matter what I say to the opposite, it wasn't the first time I was wrong.  If my memory serves me, I believe I was wrong once before back in the 1950's but then later found out I was right all along (grin).  So, I was wrong thinking I was wrong. . .

How many of you have used revolving doors?  When I was a boy, I loved going in circles inside one of those revolving doors, but of course I was nice enough to stop when someone wanted through.  They were a great invention, letting people in and keeping either hot or cold air outside and room temperature inside.  A patent for one was issued in 1888.

In 1942, Gen. A.A. Vandegrift and his 1st Marine Division landed on the islands of Guadalcanal and Tulagi.  I have heard of Guadalcanal but not Tulagi.  But not when it happened, you know, I wasn't born until 1943.

President John F. Kennedy and his wife had a son and today in history would have been the middle day of his life.  The baby's name was Patrick and he only lived for 39 hours, back in 1963.  That is oh so sad.  I really hate to hear things like that.  A mother carries the baby inside her for nine months and then he only lives for three days.

I sure hate to leave you on a sad note, but my lunch is ready.  You know you can call me anything you want but never ever call me late for dinner. . . Now, have a great day, you hear?  

4 comments:

  1. I enjoy hearing what happened on this day in history. I think some newspapers carry such a little column in their pages, but newspapers are almost becoming a thing of the past.

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    1. It seems that newspapers have also gone on line, cheaper that way. BTW, there are a lot of internet sites that tell you what all happened on a certain day in history and who was born and who died.

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  2. I wonder if the revolving door and the turnstile were invented by the same person. (I guess I could google that, couldn't I?) There is a turnstile at the guard shack entrance to the old secure area of the weapon storage area here... it can only be turned one way. It's not solid... just about 6' high metal bars. Maybe revolving doors were the inspiration for those dratted round-abouts that are becoming so popular.

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    1. Theophilus Van Kannel was the inventor of the revolving door.

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