Hello and welcome to your weekend!
Before we even start to think about back to school or the falling of leaves we have plenty of time to soak up summer sun and fun. As you head out to do whatever defines “fun” in your own days we are glad you are here to spend some of it with us as we take our weekly “scroll down memory lane.”
This is just a simple way to look back at events that happened on these days in history before we head out into the world to make new history today. So, grab your favorite sippin’ drink and let’s scroll!
On This Day:
In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail aboard the “Santa Maria.”
In 1852, the first intercollegiate sporting event in the U.S. takes place between Harvard and Yale. Harvard’s rowing team defeats Yale.
In 1914, Germany declared war on France. The declaration started World War One. It became known as the “war to end all wars.”
In 1963, the Beatles made their last appearance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. The group soon became worldwide music superstars.
In 1966, comedian Lenny Bruce died of a morphine overdose. He was 40.
In 1970, the debut of “NBC Nightly News” was broadcast.
In 1971, former Beatles member Paul McCartney formed a new group called Wings.
In 1981, 13 thousand air traffic controllers in the U.S. went on strike, defying an order by President Reagan. The strike went on, causing cancellations of nearly 15 thousand flights. Reagan fired those who defied his order after 48 hours of striking.
In 1984, Olympic U.S. gymnast Mary Lou Retton scored a perfect 10.00, accomplishing what no American woman gymnast ever had. She captured the gold medal in all-around gymnastics. She had to score a perfect 10.00 because her Russian competitor had just landed a 9.9.
In 1990, the PGA said it would not hold any golf tournaments at clubs that have all-white memberships, or that show signs of discrimination.
In 2004, the Statue of Liberty Pedestal reopened for the first time after 9/11 attacks.
In 2008, multimillion-dollar photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s newborn twins were up on People Magazine’s website. People won the rights to the photos of Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon for 14-million dollars, the most money ever paid for baby pictures.
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in a car accident near Ruleville, Mississippi, when his car flipped over several times on the highway.
In 2015, Cecil the Lion became a Beanie Baby. Ty Incorporated’s founder and chairman says he hopes to raise awareness for animal conservation and comfort those saddened by the loss of Cecil the Lion.
In 2017, The man known to “Harry Potter” fans as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, died. Robert Hardy’s family said he died at a retirement home for actors near London at the age of 91.
In 2017, Massachusetts woman Michelle Carter sentenced to 2 and a half years for urging her boyfriend to commit suicide.
In 2019, a man shot entered an El Paso, Texas Walmart and killed 22 people and shot 24 others.
In 2022, former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was the first speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years.
In 2024, American swimmer Katie Ledecky won the 800 meters at the Paris Olympics. It was her ninth individual gold medal, which is tied for the most gold medals by a female.
In 2024, the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia claimed its first-ever Olympic medal when Julien Alfred won gold in the women’s 100 meters at the Paris Olympics.
That brings us here to this day.
Whatever plans you have for your own weekend, here’s hoping there are moments along the way to record on the pages of your own personal history books!
Thanks for stopping by!
