Archive for July 31, 2010

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 31st

July 31, 2010 / Summer / No comments

1498

Columbus arrived at the island of Trinidad.

1777

The Marquis de Lafayette became a major-general in the American Continental Army.

1790

The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins of Vermont for a process of making fertilizer.

1875

Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, died in Tennessee.

1954

Mount Godwin-Austen (K2), the world’s second-highest peak, was climbed for the first time, by an Italian team led by Ardito Desio.

1964

The U.S. space probe Ranger 7 transmitted pictures of the Moon’s surface.

Category: This Day In History /

Flag of the Week: SAN JACINTO

July 30, 2010 / Summer / No comments

This week’s flag of the week was:

THE SAN JACINTO FLAG

This was the banner the Texans carried at one of the greatest turning points in American history. Santa Anna’s army of over 6,000 men swept across Texas to Lynch’s Ferry, a gathering point for retreating Texas settlers. Santa Anna led on column onto a narrow peninsula surrounded by San Jacinto Bay and Buffalo Bayou and set up camp. The Texas army rushed to the opportunity, marching nearly all night and at dawn of the next day were on the edge of the grassy plains of San Jacinto. After brief skirmishes, the Texans advanced at 4 o’clock on the afternoon of April 21st, 1836, With cries of “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad,” they charged into the Mexican camp. The attack was so sudden that the battle was over in less than 20 minutes. Of the original Mexican force of over 1500 men, 630 were killed on the spot, 208 were wounded, and 730 were captured. Only 743 Texans were in battle: 6 were killed and another 25 wounded, including Sam Houston. Santa Anna was captured, and the war was over. By early June the entire Mexican army had crossed the Rio Grande, and Texas was free!

Category: Flag of the Week /

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 30th

July 30, 2010 / Summer / No comments

1619

The first legislative assembly in English North America convened in Jamestown, Va.

1729

The U.S. city of Baltimore was founded.

1945

The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sank within 15 minutes. It was one of the greatest naval losses of World War II, resulting in the deaths of nearly 900 men.

1956

The phrase “In God We Trust” was adopted as the U.S. national motto.

1965

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Bill into law.

1975

Former Teamsters union president James Hoffa was reported missing. Many suspect he was murdered, though his remains have never been found.

2002

Lisa Leslie became the first woman to dunk in a professional basketball game.

Category: This Day In History /

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 29th

July 29, 2010 / Summer / No comments

1890

Artist Vincent van Gogh died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Auvers, France.

1958

President Eisenhower signed the congressional act that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was authorized by Congress.

1968

In Humanae Vitae (of Human Life), Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s prohibition on artificial methods of birth control.

1981

Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, married Lady Diana Spencer.

2003

Red sox switch hitter Bill Mueller became the first baseball player to hit grand slam home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game.

Category: This Day In History /

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: July 28th

July 28, 2010 / Summer / No comments

1821

Peru declared its independence from Spain.

1868

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which established the citizenship of African Americans and guaranteed due process of law, was ratified.

1914

Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, precipitating the start of World War I.

Category: This Day In History /
« Older Entries