1898 Scientists Pierre & Marie Curie discover radium

December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 10 days remaining until the end of the year. In 1898 Marie and Pierre Curie discover radium which will eventually revolutionize medical science via the x-ray machine, radiation treatments and much more. Marie pioneered radium research and helped countless people through these less invasive diagnostic treatments.
Mme. Curie throughout her life actively promoted the use of radium to alleviate suffering and during World War I, assisted by her daughter, Irene, she personally devoted herself to this remedial work. She retained her enthusiasm for science throughout her life and did much to establish a radioactivity laboratory in her native city - in 1929 President Hoover of the United States presented her with a gift of $ 50,000, donated by American friends of science, to purchase radium for use in the laboratory in Warsaw. Sadly, on July 4, 1934, Marie Curie died in Paris, of radiation poisoning and may have been the first person to do so. Her hard work resulted in two Nobel Prizes - the first woman to win even one.
Great knowledge, however, is often a double-edged sword. Without the work she did we might not have many modern cancer treatments, or atomic clocks, or even the computer you're viewing this on. Regrettably, the atomic bomb was the result of such scientific work as well. She had noble ideals and wished only to help the suffering through her tireless work, which she did admirably.

Today we pay tribute

Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56.
From 1972 to 2003, his albums provided a melodic songs and hauntingly beautiful instrumentals. There are so many songs which touch the soul in a way few songwriters have been able to do. Listen to his music again in tribute to the man who composed from the heart. Dan Fogelberg will be greatly missed by his fans and those in the music industry. Today as in all days, history is being written. Here's to you Mr. Fogelberg. Check out his site and listen to his music.

Charles Dicken's does it again.

1843 "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens published, 6,000 copies sold
Read it here.

Charles Dickens, the timeless spinner of tales, publishes his Christmas themed book on this day. A Christmas Carol has been read by countless readers ever since. It has been made into movies many time over. The moral behind the story stands the test of time. It really does matter how you treat others. Do not wait until you are in your death bed to realize it. The book is the best way to discover this wonderful, heartfelt novel. Once read, go and watch the movie. Scrooge epitomizes the stereotypical grumpy old man. Everyone, it seems, has known one at some time in their life. Rarely do we see this character repent. This is one of the reasons why this story has been so close to our hearts. Here's to Charles Dickens, shall we always remember his name.

1933 the 18th amendment is repealed.

Just because its part of the Constitution doesn't mean it can't be changed. What's harder to do, add an amendment to the Constitution or remove one? If history teaches us anything it teaches us that removing something is infinitely more difficult than it is to add something. The Europeans had no problem inhabiting North America. They sure had a problem removing the inhabitants that were already there. Wars have been fought over removing things. Adding things have been done behind closed doors without anyone being the wiser.
On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified, repealing Prohibition. The 1919 ratification of the 18th Amendment, which created a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale and transportation of “intoxicating liquors,” capped years of effort by temperance reformers, who deemed alcohol a national curse responsible for a wide range of social ills. But by the time the Roaring ’20s gave way to the Great Depression, Prohibition came to represent the very ills and excesses it sought to address. The rise of organized crime syndicates, spurred by a flourishing bootlegging industry, gave momentum to calls in the early 1930s for a 21st Amendment repealing the “noble experiment.” Mindful that local legislators would be reluctant to alienate powerful temperance groups, advocates of repeal endorsed state conventions to which delegates were elected to support or reject repeal. The strategy worked, and when—on this date—Utah became the 36th state to approve the 21st Amendment, Prohibition came to an end.
Celebrate Repeal Day this December 5 by drinking — well, whatever you like, if for no other reason, just because you can.

Writing just became easier

In 1894, (12/04) George Parker was issued a U.S. patent for a fountain pen design that became the Parker Pen Company's first major success. The Lucky Curve was designed to solve the problem that previous pens had. They retained ink in the feed tube. Warmed by body temperature, the ink expanded forcing ink from the pen point into the cap and onto the barrel, causing soiled fingers on next use. The Lucky Curve design used capillary attraction to completely drain ink from the feed tube. Parker held several earlier fountain pen patents since his first on 10 Dec 1889. In Feb 1892, with partner W.E Palmer, he incorporated the Parker Pen Company to market his pens, and he continued to focus on making design improvements.
The history of writing devices since
1888-1916
The principle of the ball point pen actually dates from the late 19th Century when patents were taken out by John Loud in 1888 for a product to mark leather and in 1916 by Van Vechten Riesberg. However neither of these Patents were exploited commercially.
1940s
The modern version of ball point pen was invented by Josef (Lazlo) and Georg Biro.

The Summer of 1943 the first commercial models were made. The rights to Lazlo's patent were bought by the British Government. The ball point pen is more rugged than the fountain pen which may be why sales rocketed during World War II when the Military needed robust writing implements to survive the battlefield environment.

October 1945
The ball point pen was introduced to the U.S. market. The pen was sold as "The first pen to write underwater" this must have been an unsatisfied demand as some 10,000 were sold at the launch at Gimbel's department store in New York on October 29th 1945.
1953
First inexpensive ball point pens were available when the French Baron, Bich, developed the industrial process for manufacturing ball point pens that lowered the unit cost dramatically (BIC, Co.)

Today we have a plethora of pens to choose from. There are gel pens, rubber pens, no-grip ring pens, etc.
With the advent of the computer, writing with pens has declined. For a quick note, signatures or tests, pens will always be needed. However, when future historians study today's civilization they will rarely find the treasured diary or love letter which gives people a glimpse into their ancestor's lives. A rare hard drive could uncover some information but not the personal, day to day historic life we love to read about. The digital age makes things easier but we lose a part of our past and present as a result.

The Free Speech Movement

1964 (Dec. 03) Police arrests 800 sit-in students at University of California at Berkeley
The Free Speech Movement was a student protest which took place at the University of California, Berkeley under the unofficial leadership of students Mario Savio, Brian Turner, Steve Weissman, Art Goldberg, Bettina Aptheker, Jackie Goldberg, and others. The students insisted, in ground breaking protests, that the university administration lift a ban on on-campus political activities and acknowledge the students' right to free speech and academic freedom.
You see, student activists had set up information tables on campus and were soliciting donations for civil rights causes. According to existing rules at the time, fundraising for political parties was limited exclusively for the Democratic and Republican school clubs. There was also a mandatory "loyalty oath" required of faculty, which had led to dismissals of highly qualified faculty members. The loyalty oath came during the McCarthy years where finger pointing was at an all time high. Real or imagined communists or traitors to the flag were singled out and ostracized. Freedom of speech, which America has touted since the days of the American Revolution, was now being suppressed siting patriotism as its foundation. First Amendment rights, including "freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble" was crumbling under this type of suppression.

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…" -Declaration of Independence

On September 14, 1964, Dean Katherine Towle announced that existing University regulations prohibiting advocacy of political causes or candidates, outside political speakers, recruitment of members, and fundraising by student organizations at the intersection of Bancroft and Telegraph Avenues would be "strictly enforced." This strip was until then thought to be city property, not campus property. She, like other leaders during her time, had bypassed the first amendment rights in favor of mandated loyalty.
On October 1, former graduate student Jack Weinberg, who was at a table there, refused to show his identification to the campus police and was arrested. There was a spontaneous movement of students to surround the police car in which he was to be transported. Weinberg did not leave the police car, nor did the car move for 32 hours. At one point, there may have been 3,000 students around the car.

During this period, the car was used as a speaker's podium and a continuous public discussion was held which continued until the charges against Weinberg were dropped. Protesters took over in a massive sit-in. The sit-in ended on December 3, when police arrested close to 800 students. About a month later, the university brought charges against the students who organized the sit-in, resulting in an even larger student protest that all but shut down the university.
After much disturbance, the University officials slowly backed down. By January 3, 1965, the new acting chancellor, Martin Meyerson, established provisional rules for political activity on the Berkeley campus, designating the Sproul Hall steps an open discussion area during certain hours of the day and permitting tables.

History has a way of repeating itself. The "witch hunts" by Senator McCarthy during the 50s paralleled the socialistic countries which suppressed political opposition and free speech. The same communistic constraints in which McCarthy was supposedly fighting against.
Now, in the wake of the 2001 Terrorist attacks, President Bush has strongly supported phone monitoring of any American, regardless of suspicion. He also admonished those who leaked out the information about this practice. Although the act allows for overseas calls and emails, it also has a provision for any communication using a court warrant. With Bush making the call, it would be rather easy include any communication deemed suspect. The Constitution states:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

-"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

November 30th

November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 31 days remaining until the end of the year.
On this day, 1940 - Lucille Ball marries Desi Arnaz in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The picture (right) of their 10th anniversary is both poignant and nostalgic. Lucy would say, years later, that Desi was the love of her life. They both stated that they never stopped loving each other. Desi's attitude towards marriage came from a strong Cuban background where the men led an "active" life outside the bonds of matrimony. Lucy being a traditional American woman, could not accept such a lax attitude towards monogamy. Love, however, could not be easily extinguished. Apart, they could finally find peace. Sharing their two children, Lucy and Desi, kept them emotionally close for the rest of their lives. They will be remembered for the joy they brought into countless lives through music and comedy. The world will never forget them.

November 29th

2001 - Following a battle with cancer that began in 1998, Beatles' lead guitarist George Harrison dies from his ailment at the age of 58. He was surrounded by his family. His contribution to the music world will long be remembered.
With the Beatles and as a solo artist, George wrote many classic songs like "Taxman", "Within You Without You", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Here Comes the Sun", "All Things Must Pass", "My Sweet Lord", "All Those Years Ago", "This is Love" and "Any Road".
Frank Sinatra once said of George's song "Something", "it's the greatest love song of the past fifty years". "Something" also became the second most covered Beatles song ever, after "Yesterday".
Six years later we still remember this remarkable musician. Martin Scorsese has committed to direct an untitled documentary about the life of George Harrison. Scorsese will produce with Harrison's widow Olivia and Nigel Sinclair in a co-production between Scorsese's Sikelia Prods., Harrison's Grove Street Prods., and Sinclair's Spitfire Pictures. The film is being constructed as a theatrical release, and the Harrison family will supply materials from its extensive archive. Interviews and early production will begin later this year, and the film will take several years to complete.
Olivia, George's widow stated, "It would have given George great joy to know that Martin Scorsese has agreed to tell his story."

Friction Match

November 27: On this Day in Science History.
In 1826, John Walker (1781-1859), an English pharmacist from Stockton-on-Tees, invented the first practical, strike-anywhere, friction match, but refused to patent his creation. He used three-inch splints of wood, tipped with potassium chlorate, antimony sulphide, and gum arabic. The match head was ignited by drawing it through a fold of fine glasspaper. By 1829, similar matches called "Lucifers" were sold throughout London. Their difference was added sulphur to aid combustion, and white phosphorus. Matchmaking workers quickly developed a bone disease called "phossy jaw" from the phosphorus. Phosphorus sesquisulphide replaced the deadly white phosphorus in the strike-anywhere match during the early twentieth century.

On this day: November 19 in 1863

At the end of the Battle of Gettysburg, more than 51,000 Confederate and Union soldiers were wounded, missing, or dead. Many of those who died were laid in makeshift graves along the battlefield. Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin commissioned David Wills, an attorney, to purchase land for a proper burial site for the deceased Union soldiers. Wills acquired 17 acres for the cemetery, which was planned and designed by landscape architect William Saunders.
The cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863 . The main speaker for the event was Edward Everett, one of the nations foremost orators. President Lincoln was also invited to speak as Chief Executive of the nation, formally to set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks. At the ceremony, Everett spoke for more than 2 hours; Lincoln spoke for 2 minutes. President Lincoln had thought his speech to be too short and less than notable. We now call Lincoln's speech The Gettysburg Address as if it were the only speech delivered that day. The official program listed Everett as the Oration speaker and Lincoln as the giver of Dedicatory Remarks.
Everett's speech, which took two hours, was expected to run long, although it caused the crowd to grow restless. A New York Times reporter noticed that during its delivery, "there were as many people wandering about the fields, made memorable by the fierce struggles of July, as stood around the stand listening to his eloquent speech."
Despite popular stories, historians agree that Lincoln did not whip up his "remarks" on the back of an envelope enroute from Washington. His effort was the product of a lifetime from a man known for study and deep reflection. He wrote at least half or more of it on White House stationery before his trip, and apparently applied finishing touches in his room at the Wills house in which he stayed. Lincoln, ever a painstaking writer, also knew that words from his presidential pen would be highly scrutinized.

Word for today: Anachronisms

Something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
An artifact that belongs to another time
A person who seems to be displaced in time; who belongs to another age

The First Thanksgiving: What really happened.

THE WAY AMERICA envisions that first Thanksgiving, goes something like this: Civilized European pilgrims set out across the Atlantic Ocean, and were rewarded with an entire continent of untold wealth. Oh sure there were a few unclothed savages already there, but they were not a problem that couldn't be dealt with. Journals and letters written by those first settlers contain accounts of plundering native stores of food, tools and furs. If the Pilgrims found it, they took it. After working, praying and surviving a bitter winter, the Pilgrim Fathers brought in a bountiful harvest produced by careful tending of seeds that they had brought from home. Inviting their heathen neighbors to join them, the Pilgrims gave thanks for their New World and its riches at a meal consisting of turkey, squash, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Afterwards, the men sat around smoking and telling stories while the women cleaned up. Now for the Native American side of the story:

What really happened was more like this: After two months and two deaths on the Mayflower crossing in 1620, the Pilgrims landed on the coast of Massachusetts, where an Algonquin-speaking group, the Wampanoags, lived. Clad in leather garments (adding furs during the winter) these native peoples skillfully cultivated corn, beans, squashes and pumpkins; hunted the woods for deer, elk and bear; and fished for salmon and herring. Like other members of what anthropologists now call the Woodland Culture, the Wampanoags looked upon deer, fish and turtle as totemic siblings, and had deep respect for every natural creature. When they hunted, they left offerings for other forest inhabitants, and they would never think of planting or harvesting without giving thanks for the fertility of Mother Earth. From where the natives sat--especially one named Squanto, who'd learned English after having been sold into slavery a few years earlier, these Pilgrims were in deep buffalo chips. The wheat brought from Europe was completely unsuited to the New England soil and failed to germinate. Half the settlers died during the first winter. Squanto and his friends took pity on this sorry situation and brought venison and furs to these unfortunate white men. He taught them how to plant corn using fish as fertilizer, how to dig clams, how to tap maple trees for syrup. The Algonquin tribes already had the custom of celebrating six different thanksgiving festivals during the year, and one of those happened to coincide with a dinner party thrown by Miles Standish and company. Standish invited Squanto and a few of his friends and their families to come on down and share a meal. More than 90 Indians showed up. The Pilgrim menu wasn't going to cover that many guests. So a few of the Algonquin men went out and came back with five deer, enough for three solid days of cross-cultural feasting. Here's what was actually on that menu: venison, wild duck, wild geese, eels, clams, squash, corn bread, berries and nuts. That meal was one of the last untroubled moments the whites and natives spent together. Within 50 years, most of the Woodland peoples had been killed, claimed by European diseases or--if lucky--disappeared into the woods. Today, there are still 500 Wampanoags living in New England. They do not celebrate the American Thanksgiving.

Historical Perspectives

What is history? It is anything that has already happened. It is one hundred years ago or one second ago. Now is but a fleeting concept. We are all living history. I am here to explore the past as well as history in the making. Today is history. The Iraq war is now and yesterday. We can learn from history. We can savor its memories and relive the good times. We can learn from its mistakes and repeat its victories. Who knows what tomorrow brings? We certainly know what yesterday brought us and can use it to our advantage. Here's to actively making history, yesterday, today and tomorrow!