Paul’s Blog Archives

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, June 14, 2023  The United States Army was founded on this day in 1775. The Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the official flag just two years later. 1954 President Eisenhower signed an

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, June 13, 2023  1920, for some reason, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled that Children May NOT Be Sent by Parcel Post. 1966, police became Required to Tell Suspects Their Rights because of the Supreme Court’s

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, June 9, 2023  1790, the First Book Was Copyrighted in the U.S. John Barry’s “Philadelphia Spelling Book”. 1934, Donald Duck made his debut in Disney’s “The Wise Little Hen”. 1980, Richard Pryor suffered third degree burns over most of his body while “freebasing” the cocaine. 

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, June 8, 2023  1786 The first commercially produced Ice Cream was released. 1789 The Bill of Rights was proposed to the U.S. Congress by James Madison. The Bill of Rights comprises the

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Weds., June 07, 2023 1776 Richard Henry Lee proclaimed “These United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States.” 1993 The official groundbreaking ceremonies for The Rock

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, June 6, 2023  The YMCA was founded on this day in 1844 The first ‘drive in’ theatre opened in New Jersey in 1933 The D-Day invasion of Normandy took place today in

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, June 5, 2023  1968 Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded after claiming victory in California’s Democratic presidential primary. Sirhan Sirhan was arrested at the scene. 1977 The Apple II

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, June 2, 2023 1835, P.T. Barnum began the first circus tour of the United States. 1896, Guglielmo Marconi filed a patent for The Radio. 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second was held at Westminster Abbey.  It was the first one

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, June 1, 2023  1813 U.S. Captain James Lawrence ordered “Don’t give up the ship” after being mortally wounded in battle during the War of 1812. 1925 Baseball legend Lou Gehrig began his record

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 31, 2023  1678 The first Lady Godiva Procession to celebrate the legend Godiva’s famous nude ride through Coventry marketplace. Her husband, had promised to relieve Coventry of its heavy taxes if

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 30, 2023  1431 – 19-year-old Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in France, after being found guilty on charges of sorcery and heresy. 1868 – General John Logan was

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, May 25, 2023  1951 Baseball legend Willie Mays played his first major-league game. 1969 The controversial film ‘Midnight Cowboy’ was released. The first X-Rated film to win an Oscar; however, its rating was later

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, May 24, 2022 1883 The Brooklyn Bridge over the East River is opened. It connected the cities of New York and Brooklyn for the first time in history. Its construction took 14

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 23, 2023  1701 Scottish pirate, Capt. William ‘Billy the” Kidd was hanged. He had been commissioned by the King to hunt pirates, but instead became one, for which he was hanged

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, May 22, 2023  1891 Thomas Edison gives the first public demonstration of his motion picture camera, the Kinetoscope. 1956 The NBC Peacock airs its feathers, making its first on-air appearance. NBC used

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, May 20, 2022 1906 The Federated Boys’ Clubs was organized. It is now known as the Boys’ Clubs of America.  1910 The earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet. The comet’s

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, May 18, 2022 1860, Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the Republican candidate for U.S. president at a convention in Chicago. 1927, Grauman’s Chinese Theater opened in Hollywood, California, with the premiere of Cecil B. De Mille’s “The King of Kings”. 2001,

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, May 17, 2023  1792, The New York Stock Exchange was founded by brokers meeting under a tree located on what is now Wall Street. 1845, the Rubber Band was patented. 1875 The first Kentucky Derby was run.

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 16, 2023  1886 The nickel 5-cent piece was authorized by the U.S. Congress replacing the silver half-dime. 1920 The First Academy Awards were held. “Wings” won the Oscar for bets film.

WAY BACK WHEN for Friday, May 12, 2023 1861 Julia Ward Howe’s song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was performed for the first time at a flag-raising ceremony for Union recruits at a Fort near Boston.

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, May 11, 2023 1502 Explorer Christopher Columbus set sail on his fourth voyage to the “New World.” He was searching for a westward passage to the Indian Ocean mainland. 1659 The celebration of

WAY BACK WHEN for Wednesday, May 10, 2022 1508 Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo began his work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. He completed the masterpiece 5 years later. 1869, America’s First Transcontinental Railroad was finished.  The

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 1899 The first Lawn Mower was patented. 1914 Then President Woodrow Wilson established the first Mother’s Day. 1960 The F.D.A. approved use of the birth control pill. 1992 The

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, May 8, 2023  1886 The soft drink Coca-Cola was invented by John Pemberton. He called it “Esteemed Brain Tonic and Intellectual Beverage.” 1945 V.E. Day. British and Americans celebrate Germany’s unconditional surrender

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, May 5, 2023, Also known as Cinco de Mayo!    1862 a fledgling Mexican army defeated much larger and better equipped French forces. Also known as Cinco de Mayo. Two

WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, May 4, 2023 “Star Wars Day!” – “May the 4th be with you!”  1626, a Dutch colonist named Peter Minuit landed on the island of Manhattan.  He eventually bought the island from the Indians for beads

WAY BACK WHEN for Tuesday, May 2, 2023 1933, the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland was reported when a couple drove by and saw “an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface” of Loch Ness. Much of

WAY BACK WHEN for Monday, May 1, 2023 It’s May Day. Traditional springtime festival marking the first day of summer or as an international day honoring workers. Traditional activities include dancing around a maypole. the Haymarket Massacre

Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, April 28 2023 1789 “The Mutiny on the Bounty”’ as Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against his commanding officer William Bligh the HMS Bounty, placing Bligh and some of his crew