Paul’s Blog Archives

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, August 1, 2023 1936, the Olympic Torch appeared for the first time, at the opening ceremonies in Berlin.  The ceremony was presided over by Adolph Hitler. 1971, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour”

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, July 31, 2023 1961 The Baseball All Star game ended in a tie for the first time ever when it rained out in the ninth inning. 1971 The lunar rover

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, July 28, 2023  1868 Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, July 27, 2023  1869 Amos Tyler received the first patent for chewing gum. Tyler’s gum consisted of white rosin and olive oil. 1953 The three-year Korean War officially ended with

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds., July 26, 2023 1775 the U.S. Postal system was established by the second Continental Congress. 1908 the FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation was founded. 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Tuesday, July 25, 2023 1946 The legendary comedy duo Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis made their official debut together. Their act at the Atlantic City’s 500 Club consisted or Dean Martin trying

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, July 24, 2023  1956 The legendary comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis performed at the Copacabana together for the last time as a team. 1973 U.S. Supreme Court

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, July 21, 2023 1861 The Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the Civil War. More than 50,000 fought costing some 3,000 Union casualties, 1,750 for the

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, July 20, 2023  1903 The soon to be auto giant Ford Motor Company shipped its first car, The Model A. 1940 Billboard Magazine released their first music popularity chart: Frank Sinatra was at

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, July 17, 2023  1790 English cabinetmaker Thomas Saint patented a machine with features that are basic to most modern sewing machines. It is not known if he ever built one.

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, July 14, 2023  1865 British explorer Edward Whymper scaled the third highest peak in the Alps. 1881 The notorious 21-year-old outlaw Billy the Kid was reportedly killed in New Mexico by

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, July 13, 2023 1832 The source of the Mississippi river was discovered by American explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft. (Yes, the same Schoolcraft that Schoolcraft, Michigan is named after) 1913 A

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, July 10, 2023 1925: John T. Scopes, a science teacher in Tennessee, was charged with violating the state’s Butler Act, which made it illegal to teach evolution in Tennessee schools.

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, July 7, 2023  1898 A joint congressional resolution was passed providing for the annexation of the island territory of Hawaii. 1947 Officials from the Roswell Army Counterintelligence Corps visited William

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, July 6, 2023  1942 Anne Frank and her family went into hiding from the Nazis in a friend’s attic. They were later joined by others and remained hidden for two

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds., July 5, 2023  1865 William and Catherine Booth founded the East London Christian Mission. It was renamed the Salvation Army in 1878. 1946 A new swimsuit design was introduced at a

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, July 3, 2023 1863 The end of the battle of Gettysburg. The Confederate Army led by General George Pickett sounded the retreat, marking the beginning of the end for the

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, June 30, 2022 1953 The first Chevrolet Corvette rolled off the Assembly line. 1966 N.O.W. National Organization for Women was founded. 1985 The Ralston Purina introduced the first version of Chex Mix.

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, June 29, 2023 1956 The Highway Act is signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, authorized $25 billion dollars for the construction of 41,000 miles of the Interstate Highway System over a 10-year

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, June 28, 2023 1894 Labor Day was declared a federal holiday, to be the first Monday in September. It was signed into law by U.S. President Grover Cleveland. (Thanks Grover!) 1939 Pan

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, June 27, 2023 1829, British scientist James Smithson died and left his entire fortune to the United States in order to establish the Smithsonian Institute. 1979, Muhammad Ali announced that he was retiring as champion, and

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, June 26, 2023   1958 The Mackinac Bridge over the Straits was dedicated. 1968 The raising of the flag on Iwo Jima as Iwo Jima and Bonin Islands were returned to Japan

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, June 23, 2023 1846 Adolphe Sax patented his ‘saxophone.’ 1860 The U.S. Secret Service was established by Congress. That same year, the government printing office was opened. 1868, Wisconsin journalist and Senator

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, June 22, 2023 1944 then President Franklin Roosevelt signed the “G-I Bill of Rights” to provide broad benefits for veterans of war. 1969 Judy Garland died of a drug overdose at age

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, June 21, 2023 1879, Frank Woolworth opened the First Five & Dime Store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He sold items for no more than 10 cents . . . and went broke.  He then opened another store

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, June 19, 2023 1865 News of the end of the Civil War reached Galveston, Texas with Union army general Gordon Granger’s reading of federal orders. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered two

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, June 16, 2023 1858, Senate candidate Abe Lincoln told a Springfield, Illinois, crowd that slavery was an issue that had to be resolved, declaring, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” 1903, in one

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, June 15, 2023 On this day in 1992 VP Dan Quayle infamously misspelled “potato” with an “e” during a spelling bee. What word do you have a problem spelling? On this day