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 This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on July 20th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On July 20, 1304, the forces of King Edward I of England successfully took Stirling Castle during the First War of Scottish Independence. On July 20, 1304, the forces of King Edward I of England successfully took Stirling Castle during the First War of Scottish Independence.  (NOTE: The link in the date for this entry leads to a different article than the…

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 This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on July 19th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On July 19, 64 AD, the Roman night was interrupted by the beginning of what became known as The Great Fire of Rome. On July 19, 1588, during the Anglo-Spanish War’s Battle of Gravelines, the ultimately doomed Spanish Armada was sighted in the English Channel. On July 19, 1814, Samuel Colt was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and although he lived only to…

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…