Paul’s Blog Archives

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 1892 The Pledge of Allegiance was first published, in The Youth’s Companion. Francis Bellamy wrote the original 1892 version: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 1921 The “Inner-City Beauty” pageant was won by 16-year-old Margaret Gorman (Miss Washington, D.C.). A newspaperman coined the term “Miss America” for the winner and the following

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, September 5, 2023 September 5, 1774 – The first assembly of the Continental Congress. 1906 St. Louis University’s Bradbury Robinson threw footballs’ first ‘legal’ forward pass against Carroll College. It was incomplete.

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, September 1, 2023 1651 According to the book, the fictional character Robinson Crusoe embarked on his first sea voyage. Daniel Defoe’s story was based on the real-life adventures of Alexander Selkirk. 1873 Andrew

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, August 31, 2023  1798 The first ever bank robbery as $162,821 was taken from vaults of the Bank of Pennsylvania at Carpenters’ Hall during the night. One of the bank

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds., August 30, 2023 1963 The famous “Red Phone hotline” a direct communications line between Washington D.C. and Moscow opened. It provided emergency communication in the event of a crisis. 1983

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 1896 Li Zhongzheng, a diplomat from China, was visiting the city and hosting American guests for dinner. Rather than risk preparing authentic Chinese food for them, Zhongzheng

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, August 28, 2023 1907, two Seattle teenagers started up a local delivery service called American Messenger Company.  Today, Jim Casey and Claude Ryan’s little company is known as UPS. United

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, August 25, 2023  1609 Galileo Galilei demonstrated one of his early telescopes to Venetian lawmakers. It had a magnification of about 8 or 9. 1939 The film adaptation of L.

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, August 24, 2023  1814 The Capitol and White House were burned during the War of 1812. While senior officials fled to Virginia, First Lady Dolley Madison stayed behind to save

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Wednesday, August 23, 2023 1859 Installation of the first hotel elevator was completed in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York. 1913 The mermaid statue in the harbor of Denmark, Copenhagen was

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, August 22, 2021  1864 – The International Red Cross was founded in Geneva Switzerland. 1865 – Inventor William Sheppard of New York City patented Liquid Soap. 1902 – Theodore Roosevelt

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, August 21, 2023 1878 – the American Bar Association was founded in Saratoga, New York by 75 lawyers from 20 states. 1887 – Dan Casey struck out in the 9th inning of

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, August 18, 2023  1872 Montgomery Ward issued his first catalog. It consisted of 163 items for sale and included a money-back guarantee. 1920 The 19th Amendment to the U.S. constitution granting

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Wednesday, August 16, 2023  1858 U.S. President James Buchanan sent the first transatlantic telegraph message to Queen Victoria in England. It was a Christmas wish. 1954 First issue of Sports Illustrated hit magazine

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Tuesday, August 15, 2023  1914 The Panama Canal was declared open to world commerce. The first ship to cross after the official opening was the cargo ship SS Ancon. 1946 Allen Dumont’s

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, August 11, 2023  1972 Priscilla Presley filed for divorce after five years, two months and 10 days of marriage to Elvis. 1984 President Reagan joked during a voice test for a paid political

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thurs., August 10, 2023  1927 The Mount Rushmore memorial was dedicated. It was completed in 1941. The sculpture features U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. They

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds., August 9, 2023  1936 Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics. 1974 “Michigan’s favorite son,” Vice President Gerald R. Ford of Michigan was sworn in as the 38th

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Tuesday, August 7, 2022 1876, Thomas Edison received a patent for his mimeograph. (We knew them as ‘dittos.’ The ones with the purple ink that you usually couldn’t read but smelled great!) 1963

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Monday, August 7, 2023 241 years ago – In 1782, George Washington created the Order of the Purple Heart, which is given exclusively to servicemen wounded in combat. It’s the oldest military decoration still

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, August 4, 2023 1821 The first Issue of The Saturday Evening Post was published. 1916 The U.S. signed the treaty to purchase the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 in gold. The

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, August 3, 2023 1821 The first Issue of The Saturday Evening Post was published. 1916 The U.S. signed the treaty to purchase the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 in gold. The

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds, August 2, 2023  1492 Christopher Columbus set sail for the Indies. He reached the New World of the Americas instead, landing in the Bahamas in October. 1949 The National Basketball Association

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Tuesday, August 2, 2023 1776, members of the Continental Congress began signing the official Declaration of Independence.  The July 4th printings that were first sent out only had the names of John Hancock (President of

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