Hello. Welcome to your weekend and we are glad you’re here! As July slips forward the social calendars continue to heat up.
How about we take a minute to intentionally slow things down with our weekly “scroll down memory lane?” It’s a simple look back at event that happened on these days in history before we head out to make new history today. So, grab your favorite sippin’ drink and let’s scroll!
Tomorrow is Sunday, July 13th, the 194th day of the year.
On this day:
In 1832, explorer Henry Schoolcraft discovered the source of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
In 1836, John Ruggles received patent number one from the U.S. Patent Office. Ruggles patented his traction wheel for use in locomotive steam engines.
In 1923, The Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, Los Angeles. It originally read “Hollywoodland,” but the last four letters are dropped after renovation in 1949.
In 1934, Babe Ruth hit his 700th career home run against Detroit.
In 1938, the first television theater opened in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1939, Frank Sinatra made his recording debut with the Harry James Orchestra.
In 1954, famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo died from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 47.
In 1960, Senator John F-Kennedy won the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party.
In 1972, football team owners Carroll Rosenbloom and Robert Irsay announced they would trade teams. Once the deal was complete, Rosenbloom became the new owner of the Los Angeles Rams and Irsay became the new owner of the Baltimore Colts.
In 1977, New York City was hit with a blackout that lasted 25 hours.
In 1985, President Reagan had surgery to remove a cancerous polyp. Vice President Bush served as president for eight hours.
In 1985, the Live-Aid concert took place in London’s Wembley Stadium. The goal of the day-long concert was to provide relief for famine-stricken Africans. The event raised more than 70-million dollars.
In 1994, Tonya Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly was sentenced to two years in prison for his part in the attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan — he only served six months behind bars.
In 2003, Cuban musician Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club died at the age of 95.
In 2004, De Beers, the world’s top diamond producer, pleaded guilty in federal court to a price-fixing charge. The move cleared De Beers of a decade-old charge and freed the company to compete directly in the U.S. luxury good market.
In 2006, the House overwhelmingly renewed the landmark Voting Rights Act. The 1965 legislation was inspired by the civil rights movement. Key parts of the legislation are permanent, but some elements require periodic renewal. Quick renewal was held up by several Southern conservatives who tried to amend the legislation.
In 2007, international soccer superstar David Beckham was introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Beckham’s five-year, 250-million-dollar contract drew worldwide attention when he signed with the Galaxy.
In 2009, confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor began in the Senate Judiciary Committee on this date. The 55-year-old New York native was selected by President Barack Obama to replace retired Justice David Souter.
In 2010, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died on this date at the age of 80.
In 2013, a Florida jury delivered a not guilty verdict in the closely watched trial of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. The controversial verdict sparked protests around the country and a call for federal authorities to review the case. The first instance of “#BlackLivesMatter” is used by a California resident in response.
In 2013, actor Cory Monteith was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver, British Columbia from a drug and alcohol overdose. Monteith played Finn Hudson on the popular Fox TV series “Glee.” He was 31.
In 2016, Theresa May became Britain’s Prime Minister.
In 2018, New federal indictments were handed down in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. A dozen Russian intelligence officers were charged with hacking the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
In 2024, a gunman attempted an assassination on the then former President Donald Trump at an outdoor campaign rally. The shooter hit Trump in his ear, killed one spectator, and injured two others.
That brings us here to this day.
Whatever plans you have for your 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!
