History: Fountain Pen patented in 1884 On this day in 1884, New York insurance salesman Lewis Waterman patented a groundbreaking invention, the fountain pen. Waterman's instrument was a winner: it did not require constant dipping into the ink well and…
History: Nelson Mandela released from prison in 1990 Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the…
Today is National Umbrella Day The umbrella keeps us dry from the rain and can also protect us from the heat of the sun. The basic umbrella was invented some 4000+ years ago, evidenced in the ancient art of Egypt,…
History Today: Davis Cup established in 1900 On this day in 1900, the silver trophy known today as the Davis Cup is first put up for competition when American collegian Dwight Filley Davis challenges British tennis players to come across…
History: Last Edition of the Saturday Evening Post in 1969 The Saturday Evening Post is an American magazine was a weekly publication from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was…
History Today: The saxophone is patented in 1846 Belgian musician Adolphe Sax developed the woodwind instrument typically made of brass, which in recent decades has heavily influenced the sound of the jazz, military band, rock, and pop musical genres. Inquiries…
Today in History: Southern Pacific completes "Sunset Route" in 1883 On this day in 1883, Southern Pacific Railroad completed its transcontinental “Sunset Route” from New Orleans to California, consolidating its dominance over rail traffic to the Pacific. One of the…
On this day in 1936, Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" premiered in the United States. Chaplin himself wrote and directed the movie and starred as the main character. The film was banned in Germany and Italy for its alleged communist tendencies.…
Today in History: Winter Olympic Games open in Japan On this day in 1972, the 11th Winter Olympic Games open in Sapporo, Japan. It was the first Winter Olympic Games to take place outside Europe and North America. View at…
History Today: National League of Baseball founded in 1876 On this day in 1876, the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, commonly known as the National League (NL), was formed. The American League (AL) was established in 1901 and in…