A Brief History On July 22, 1962, the US space agency, NASA, launched Mariner 1, the first in a series of probes designed to visit other planets in our solar system. After several delays in launching the spacecraft, the rocket lifted off and drifted off course, necessitating an “abort” procedure that resulted in blowing up the ill-fated spacecraft. Digging Deeper The Mariner program consisted of 10 un-manned spacecraft to be launched into space to visit other planets and gather information for NASA scientists. Venus, Mars, and Mercury were flown past by Mariner drones, the first man-made craft to fly by…
Author: Major Dan
Major Dan
Major Daniel Zar is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Prior to his military service, he graduated from Cleveland State University, having majored in sociology. Following his military service, he worked as a police officer eventually earning the rank of captain prior to his retirement.
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A Brief History On July 21, 1864, Frances Clara Folsom was born in Buffalo, New York. Twenty-two years later, in 1886, she married the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, becoming the youngest First Lady of the US ever. But wait! There is more! Digging Deeper After Cleveland had a “time out” by being out of office for 4 years, he became the only US President to be elected and serve twice in non-consecutive terms in 1893, thus making his wife, Frances, the only First Lady to serve two separate terms as First Lady of the US. Educated at…
A Brief History On July 20, 1997, the famous American warship, the USS Constitution, better known as “Old Ironsides,” celebrated 200 years of service by embarking on a cruise under her own sails for the first time in 116 years! Digging Deeper The now restored heavy frigate was launched in 1797 to serve the fledgling US Navy, enforcing freedom with her armament of 30 24 pounder cannons and 20 32 pounder cannons. With a crew of 450, the wooden sailing ship counted 30 “boys” among her crew. Highly successful in battle during the War of 1812, Old Ironsides earned her…
A Brief History On July 19, 1977, the first ever Global Positioning System, GPS, signal was received in Cedar Rapids, Iowa courtesy of Navigation Technology Satellite 2, ushering in an era that prevents fumbling around with intricately folded maps while trying to drive a car. Today, we look at some nominees for the greatest inventions of the 20th Century, and you are welcome to make your own nomination to the list. Digging Deeper The Airplane, 1903. Tetanus Vaccine, 1924. Television, 1927, though disputed. Electronic Computer, 1943 or 1937. Silly Putty, 1943. Microwave Oven, 1945. Oral Contraceptive Pill, 1950, came to…
A Brief History On July 18, 1967, little Mark Sinclair was born in Alameda County, California, a baby that would become one of the highest grossing film actors, Vin Diesel. Digging Deeper Of “ambiguous” ethnicity, Diesel has a mother of English, Scots, and German heritage, while he never met his biological father. He himself claims not to know his exact ethnicity, although his mother described him as “multi-cultural.” At the time of Diesel’s birth, several states had “anti-miscegenation” laws against mixed race marriages, and Diesel has speculated that this fact may have contributed to his hidden background. Diesel took to…