The Wright brothers are widely believed to have invented the aeroplane. However, there are several competing claims that make it difficult to determine whether or not they were actually the first to accomplish heavier-than-air powered flight. Regardless of those competing claims, the Wright Flyer was the first patented aircraft. Orville and Wilbur Wright made further experiments during the first decade of the 20th century, which would prove indispensable to the development of the airplane. Quite simply, while we may never know if anyone flew before the Wrights, there is no doubt that they contributed significantly to the history of aviation.
On September 24, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared the anniversary of the Wright Flyer’s maiden flight in 1903 to be a codified holiday (it is a commemorative day on government calendars, but is not technically a government holiday). It has been observed annually ever since then, both in honor of the pioneering experiments of the Wrights as well as to focus on the history of aviation technologies.
thanks for some Christmas funnies, Shelley
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (noun) A light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards. | ||
| Synonyms: | leaping, bounce, bound, spring | ||
| Usage: | The kangaroo's effortless saltation was balletic and graceful. | ||
Idiom of the Day
History
Romanos Is Crowned Co-Emperor of the Byzantine Empire (920 CE)
Romanos advanced through the ranks of the Byzantine military to become an influential figure in the royal court. In May 919, he arranged for the marriage of his daughter to the teenage Emperor Constantine VII and was declared "Father of the Emperor." The next year, he was crowned co-emperor, and he then made his own sons co-emperors. However, in 944, Romanos's sons arrested him and made him become a monk to prevent him from naming Constantine VII his successor.
William Safire (1929)
Safire was an American journalist and a speechwriter for US President Richard Nixon, who once ordered Safire's phone be tapped. In 1973, Safire became a syndicated political columnist for The New York Times, a post he held until 2005. A master of wordplay, he also wrote regularly on language-related topics
Saturnalia
| This Ancient Roman Winter Solstice festival began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held in honor of Saturn, the father of the gods, and was characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten; businesses, courts, and schools closed down; and masquerading or change of dress between the sexes often occurred. The festivities were characterized by various kinds of excesses—giving rise to the modern use of the term saturnalian, which is used to describe "unrestrained license and revelry." |
Research on Clay Formation Could Have Implications for How to Search for Life on Mars
Clay minerals cannot form unless there is water available—it is an essential ingredient in their microscopic crystalline structure. Clays are found virtually nowhere on the red planet except in Mars's most ancient terrains, dating back to an epoch about 3.7 - 4.1 billion years ago ...
READ MORE:
1791 - A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go "One Way."
1936 - The "The Rudy Vallee Show" debuted on NBC.
1959 - The film "On the Beach" premiered in New York City and in 17 other cities. It was the first motion picture to debut simultaneously in major cities around the world.
1965 - Judy Garland and The Supremes became first artists to perform at the Astrodome in Houston, TX.
1969 - Television history was made when Tiny Tim and Miss Vicki Budinger were married on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.
If You Were Born Today, December 17
You are a leader at heart–whether you choose to lead or not, others naturally follow, turning to you for insightful and unique advice as well. You are articulate and sociable, and while a breezy manner might suggest otherwise, you have a strong business sense, possess keen organizational skills, and you are rather ambitious. You also admire others with a strong work ethic and may easily go into business with a romantic partner. Intuitive and compassionate, you have a philosophical or religious side to you that is not always apparent. Famous people born today: Bill Pullman, Penelope Houston, William Saffire, Milla Jovovich.
READERS INFO
1.
thanks, Shelley
built in 1954 -
Fans of the "The Dick Van Dyke Show" have an avid fan base on Bonnie Meadow Road in New Rochelle. That's because the fictional character's home was based on the actual street. Now, their "neighbors," want to honor the show's history by giving it a new name, according to lohud.com. Though Dick Van Dyke and his TV wife Mary Tyler Moore (aka Rob and Laura Petrie) never actually resided in Westchester, Carl Reiner, the show's creator did.
He lived at 48 Bonnie Meadow -- the Petries lived at 148 -- and is said to have based the series on his experiences. According to lohud, a petition was submitted to the city to attach an honorary name to the residential street.
CREATED THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER
Henry Judah Heimlich (February 3, 1920 – December 17, 2016)
The surgeon who created the life-saving Heimlich maneuver
for choking victims died on this date.
Heimlich was director of surgery at Jewish Hospital in
Cincinnati in 1974 when he devised the treatment for
choking victims that made his name a household word.
Heimlich (right) demonstrates the maneuver on Johnny Carson
on the NBC television Tonight Show in 1979.
MAGAZINE:
Fremantle Prison is a former Australian prison and World Heritage Site in Fremantle, Western Australia. The six-hectare (15-acre) site includes the prison cellblocks, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, and tunnels. Constructed between 1851 and 1859 using convict labor, the prison was initially used for convicts transported from Britain, but was transferred to the colonial government in 1886 for use for locally-sentenced prisoners. Decades of prisoner discontent, culminating in a 1988 riot that saw guards taken hostage and a fire cause $1.8 million worth of damage, led to the prison being closed in 1991. Since then, Fremantle Prison has been conserved as a heritage and tourism site, and various restoration works have been undertaken.
Snow Globe
Since the 1960s, North American populations of snow geese (Chen caerulescens) have exploded an estimated thirteen-fold, in part because of the sprawling fields of grain that have cropped up along their migration route over the past 60 years. In Canada, the species has been officially declared overabundant, largely due to its impact on sensitive Arctic habitats. Descending in vast flocks, the geese leave a wake of mowed-down plants and exposed ground that can take decades to recover. The results can be devastating for other species, such as the endangered rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), that rely on this vegetation for foraging and nesting habitat.
thanks, Sheri
knit
thanks, Judith
knit, Christmas ornament
thanks, Helen
crochet
thanks, Fern
crochet
Layering Shrug
crochet, Christmas
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Christmas Tree pattern by Helen Free
The small one is made with Dmc Petra and a 2.00mm hook. The decorations are brads which are added after. My tree measures 10cm standing. Hanging it ...
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crochet, Christmas ornament
thanks, Lesley
thanks, Kathy
thanks, Sonja
urbancomfort
Finger puppets were made from felt covered coin wrapper rolls and 1 1/4-inch wooden doll heads (found at Michaels) that were glued onto the wrapper. Bits and pieces of felt and pipe cleaners bring these guys to life. (If you twist in a small screw eye at the top of the head, I bet these would make cute ornaments as well.)
Gnome Right Jigsaw Puzzle
WORD SEARCH
| adore arena bliss came cheat cherish college crisis | dance diagram energy essence free giant grand | hotel innovation lose nerve | odorous other outline place resolve rogue rune | scene serve small smell spate spoor stout tangerine tile trays | unite university vision visit wallet white yield |
solution:
CLEVER
DIY DRY DOG SHAMPOO
carolcassara
Tiny chihuahua says “I’d rather have a dry bath!”
Dry dog shampoo is ridiculously easy to make. Just drop by your local grocer and get corn starch and baking soda. That’s it.
Recipe: 1 part corn starch and 1 part baking soda.
Easy. The size of the part depends on the size of your dog. But easy to store the extra in an airtight lidded container.
So here’s how to dry shampoo your dog:
- Brush your dog.
- Sprinkle the mixture on his fur.
- Rub in.
- Towel excess off with an old towel.
- Brush your dog again.
So simple. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture if you like. Riley doesn’t like perfume so we don’t do this. But you can. Just make sure it’s safe for dogs.
thanks, Shelley
Salmon connect us all. They are in our waters, on the beach, in our forests, in our freezers. Salmon are a part of who we are.
UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER,
TERRY MORRIS
Knitwear Designer, Mentor/Teacher, Co-writer: The Corner
Sweater $1 at thrift store. Decor all from Dollar Tree.
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