How Colorado Got The Colorado River To Run Through Colorado
Today is known in some parts of the American West as Colorado River Day, because of a measure passed in 1921 that redefined what and where the Colorado River was.
Rockford, Illinois Is The Birthplace Of The Sock Monkey
Today in 1992, it's said the first picture book featuring a sock monkey was published. But where did the sock monkey itself show up? That was decades earlier, in the Illinois city of Rockford - or, as it's sometimes called, Sockford.
A Game Of Twister On “The Tonight Show” Helped Make The Game A Hit
Today in 1966, NBC’s “The Tonight Show” turned Twister, a board game that might have fallen through the cracks, into a big hit.
There Were Storm Chasers Even In The 19th Century
Today in 1884, A.A. Adams of Kansas took what is the earliest-known photo of a tornado. Early storm photos are pretty remarkable, for a lot of reasons.
Susanna Madora Salter Became The First American Woman Mayor Kind Of By Surprise
Today was the birthday in 1860 of the first woman to serve as a mayor in the United States, Susanna Madora Salter, of Argonia, Kansas. She wasn’t looking to make history and didn’t even run for the job, but then sometimes you choose the moment, and other times the moment chooses you.
The First Time Astronauts Walked In Space Without A Tether
Today in 1984, two US astronauts walked in space. And, for the first time, they weren’t connected to anything.
The New York Mets Once Made A Mule Their Mascot
It's National Mule Day, so it's a great day to celebrate a mule who singlehandedly… showed up at some Major League Baseball games. Here's the story of the official mule mascot of the New York Mets.
Abel Gonzales Is The Fried Food King Of The Texas State Fair
The Texas State Fair is getting underway, and if it's fried food you're after, you have Abel Gonzales Jr., aka "Fried Jesus," to thank.
The “Lunch Atop A Skyscraper” Photo Was Originally A Publicity Stunt
Today in 1932, an unknown photographer took one of the most famous, most astonishing photographs of all time, the one known as “Lunch Atop A Skyscraper.” Here's more about how it happened.
Harrison Dyar, Who Made Digging Tunnels In Washington, DC His Hobby
In September 1924, a truck accidentally discovered a series of tunnels underneath Washington DC. There were lots of rumors, but it turned out a local guy had just dug them himself, for "exercise." Here's his story.