Today in History: Russia sells Alaska to the United States in 1867 On March 30, 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward signed the treaty finalizing the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire for $7.2 million. Despite the…
Today is #NationalPencilDay Most pencils made in the United States are painted yellow. This tradition supposedly began in 1890 when the L & C Hardtmuth Company of Austria-Hungary introduced their Koh-I-Noor brand, named after the famous diamond. This pencil was…
Today is Vietnam Veterans Day National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history. It was on March 29, 1973, when combat and combat…
Today in History: Ireland Bans Smoking in the Workplace In 2004, Ireland becomes the first country to ban smoking in all workplaces. Contrary to initial concerns, the ban had no adverse economic effects, and soon several other countries passed similar…
Today in History: Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen born in 1845 Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen is considered the father of diagnostic radiography. The German physicist was the first person to systematically produce and detect electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range, today known as…
Today in History: Art Nouveau conquers Vienna in 1918 122 years ago today, the first exhibition of the "Secession" art movement opened in Vienna. This Austrian artists' association wanted to set itself apart from the established art business and created…
Today in History: Aretha Franklin born in 1942 Aretha Louise Franklin was an American soul and R&B singer often referred to as "Queen of Soul." She was best known for her songs "Respect," "Think," and "You Make Me Feel Like…
Happy 90th Birthday, Günther Kieser ! Günther Kieser was born in 1930 in Kronberg, near Frankfurt. Trained at the Werkkunstschule in Offenbach, Kieser began his career as a free-lance artist in 1949 and founded a studio with Hans Michel in…
Today in History: Joseph Christian Leyendecker was born today in 1874 Leyendecker was born in Montabaur, Germany, and immigrated with his family to Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 8. Showing an early interest in painting, he got his first…
Today in History: 3.2% Beer & Wine Sales Made Legal On this day in 1933, President Roosevelt signed the bill which legalized the sale of 3.2% beer and wine. Nine months before Prohibition was completely repealed, the President signed…