Tag Archives: history

First Streetcar Goes into Operation

by on 14. Nov, 2012 in History

On this day in 1832, the first streetcar went into operation in New York City. John Stephenson, president of the John Stephenson Company, invented and patented the streetcar for the New York and Harlem Railroad, founded by John Mason. The horse-drawn streetcar was named after Mason.

Celebrate by learning about the history of the streetcar! And if you live in a city with a streetcar system or a similar but modern light rail system, hop on for a ride or use that as your sole means of transportation for the day.

 

Sources: Wikipedia, About.com, The History Box

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United Nations Day

by on 24. Oct, 2012 in History

United Nations Day (UN Day) marks the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, the date that the United Nations Charter had been ratified by representatives from all of the original 51 Member States, including China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. UN Day was established in 1948 not only to celebrate this anniversary but to celebrate and reflect on the continuous work and accomplishments of the UN.

Find a UN Day event near you to join the celebration!

You can also celebrate by learning more about this history of the UN and the history of the UN Charter.

 

Sources: UN.org, Timeanddate.com

 

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Margaret Chase Smith Elected Senator

by on 13. Sep, 2012 in History

On September 13, 1948, Margaret Chase Smith was not only the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate (without having been appointed to the office first) but the first woman to represent the state of Maine and the first woman to serve in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Smith is also known for her June 1, 1950 “Declaration of Conscience” speech, in which she condemned the tactics used in Senator Joesph McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunt – the first member of Congress to do so.

Learn more about Margaret Chase Smith over at the Margaret Chase Smith Library.

Sources: Wikipedia, Margaret Chase Smith Library, Senate.gov

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Happy International Women’s Day!

by on 08. Mar, 2012 in Unofficial Holidays

March 8 is a day to celebrate all of the women in your life. Different than Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, this is a day to celebrate women and their achievements in their own rights, not just as a mother or lover.

More information on International Women’s Day here.

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Leap Day Luck and Lore

by on 28. Feb, 2012 in Unofficial Holidays

A person born on Leap Day is called a leaping or leaper. While some may find it unfair they only have a true birthday every four years, others relish in the fact that they can celebrate a full day early if they wish. In Scotland it is considered unlucky to be born on Leap Day, and in other cultures the entire year is believed to bring bad luck. For example, in Greece it is unlucky to marry during a leap year.

While marrying on a leap year may be avoided, getting engaged is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on Leap Day women are allowed to propose to their man if they choose. Centuries ago a man even had to pay a fine or give a gift if he declined the proposal!

Sources: about.com

 

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There WAS a February 30th!

by on 27. Feb, 2012 in History

The most days February ever has is 29, right? While that may be true now, February 30th did exist in the Soviet Union and Sweden for a short period of time.

The Soviet Union introduced a new revolutionary calendar in 1929 with the intention of improving industrial efficiency. This new calendar featured only 5-day weeks making every month 30 days long with five or six monthless holidays scattered throughout the year. It was hoped that doing away with weekends and instead working a full month through would increase productivity. This calendar failed to catch on as it was difficult to end the day of rest tradition, and the Gregorian calendar was restored in 1940.

Sweden introduced February 30th out of necessity when trying to convert from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The decision was made to follow the Gregorian calendar starting in 1700 by skipping leap years until the calendars were synchronized. This was forgotten in 1704 and 1708 however, leaving Sweden off track for both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Sweden decided to restore the Julian calendar in 1712 by adding two leap days, creating February 30, 1712.

Sources: timeanddate.com

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Neither Rain Nor Snow Day – September 7

by on 07. Sep, 2011 in History, Weird Holidays

September 7 is Neither Rain Nor Snow Day!

No, Neither Rain Nor Snow Day is not a day to celebrate good weather. On September 7, 1914, the New York Post Office building, known today as the James A.  Farley Post Office Building, officially opened for business.

So where did “neither rain nor snow” come from, and what does it have to do with the opening of this post office? The James Farley Post Office is famous for bearing the following inscription:

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

- United States Postal Service

Did You Know…that the U.S. Postal Service has no official motto? Many people mistake the “Neither snow nor rain…” quote as the official creed or motto of the U.S. Postal Service, but the James Farley Post Office is the only post office building bearing this inscription. Click here to find out from where the quote was derived.

 

Sources: holidayinsights.com, wikipedia.org, usps.com
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Emma M. Nutt Day

by on 01. Sep, 2011 in History, Weird Holidays

September 1 is Emma M. Nutt Day!

On September 1, 1878, Emma M. Nutt became the world’s first female telephone operator, a career that lasted 33 years! Before September 1, 1878, the Boston Telephone Dispatch Company, which hired Nutt, only hired boys as telephone operators. However, their impatience and immature behavior led the company to start hiring women. After hearing positive feedback about Nutt’s patience, friendly attitude and soothing, cultured voice while on the phone, the company completely replaced male operators with female operators.

To honor Nutt and her successful career, maintain a pleasant attitude and friendly voice whenever you’re on the phone today…no matter what!

 

Sources: holidayinsights.com, wikipedia.com
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Vesuvius Day

by on 24. Aug, 2011 in History

August 24 is Vesuvius Day!

On August 24, 79 A.D.,  Mount Vesuvius erupted, killing over 3,000 people and burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under 14 to 17 feet and 60 feet, respectively, of ash, mud and volcanic material. The cities were not rebuilt but forgotten until they were accidentally rediscovered in the 18th century and excavated. Excavation  revealed the cities as if frozen in time and provided a detailed look into city life during the Roman Empire. Even the bodies of those who died were preserved by the ash and volcanic matter, revealing in detail the death poses of discovered victims.

Learn more about Vesuvius’ most devastating eruption at history.com.

 

Sources: holidayinsights.com, history.com, wikipedia.org

 

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