In Post-War Yugoslavia, Mariachi Music Was A Huge Hit
For Mexican Independence Day, the story of how Mexican music and movies found fans in a place you might not expect: post-war Yugoslavia.
Alexander Graham Bell Invented A “Photophone” That Sent Sound On Beams Of Light
Alexander Graham Bell is best known for the telephone, but he thought his light-based calling system, the photophone was way more important... so much so that he even tried to name his daughter Photophone Bell.
Police Squad! The TV Comedy That Got Canceled For Being Too Funny
Today in 1982, the premiere of the short-lived but critically acclaimed cop spoof Police Squad, a show TV executives said was essentially too funny to stay on the air.
If You’re Trying To Visit All 50 States, North Dakota Wants You To Save The “Best For Last”
Some of us plan our trips so we can visit all 50 states. If you’re one of these travelers, the state of North Dakota has a club just for you.
Before There Were Big Car Sales On Presidents Day, There Were Big Bicycle Sales
Today is the observance of President's Day, originally a holiday marking the February 22nd birthday of George Washington, but along the way it also became known as Bicycle Day.
Googly Eyes On Self-Driving Cars Could Help Keep Pedestrians Safe
If we’re ever going to get to a world of self-driving cars we’re going to need ways to make sure that world is safe - and one way to keep pedestrians safe near autonomous vehicles may be googly eyes. Seriously.
Gino Bartali Was A Champion And A Hero On A Bike
Today in 1914, the birthday of Gino Bartali. The Italian cycling star won the Tour de France in 1938, and won a second time a decade later. But what was even more impressive was what he did in between those two wins.
“The Fastest Cyclist In The World,” Major Taylor, Was A Black Sports Pioneer
There's a new exhibit at the Indiana State Museum about Marshall "Major" Taylor, a Black cycling star who became famous before Jack Johnson, Joe Louis or Jackie Robinson. Here's some of his story.
Two Families Escaped East Germany In A Homemade Hot Air Balloon
Today in 1979, a story that sounds like it came straight out of a movie: two families in Communist East Germany escaped to the West by making and flying a hot air balloon.
How Ethel Merman Helped Get America To Use ZIP Codes
Today in 1963, the US Postal Service officially started using ZIP codes as a way to quickly sort huge amounts of mail and get it to where it needed to go. How did they get Americans to adopt ZIP codes? A mascot named Mr. Zip and a jingle sung by Broadway legend Ethel Merman.