Today in History

Feburary 14

Thursday, 10:30 a.m.  It was a very chilly -8C (or 18F) in Chicago that sunny morning… The police wagon arrived at the warehouse intending to catch the bootleggers… After hearing shots, people’s attention was drawn to the warehouse.  After the violent shooting, three uniformed officers came out, their Tommy guns aimed at two men in topcoats who had their hands raised.  The two men in topcoats were herded into the police wagon.  Then the officers got in and the wagon took off.  Everyone assumed the raid went well, despite the racket, and that the police had matters well under control…  What really happened that day?  How did a routine police raid turn into the St. Valentine’s Day massacre?  To learn, go to this link: 

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December 29

In 1845, Texas was admitted into the United States as the 28th state.  Unlike every other state, Texas did not enter the union by a grant of statehood.  It entered by treaty.  Texas was, at the time, a nation.  The treaty was a good deal for both Texas and the US.  Both gained substantially because of the merger of the two nations.  There were several consequences of Texas entering the union as it did.

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November 29

The Admiral was on the bridge when a young officer came in.  The young officer said, “Sir, a message.”  He handed the Admiral the folded message that had just come from the radio room.  The Admiral accepted the message, simply said, “Thank you,” then dismissed the messenger.

He unfolded the message and read it.  He contemplated the three words in the message.  He re-read it, then folded the message and put it in his pocket.  He stared out the window on the bridge, deep in thought.  All eyes on the bridge stole glances at him, trying to read any reaction from his face.  They could detect none.  His face was expressionless, and his eyes told them nothing.

The ship had been at sea for only three days.  They were following a carefully planned course, awaiting a message.  No one knew for sure what the message would be; they only knew that one would be coming that it would determine the course of their voyage, the course of their lives, and even the course of their nation!

If the “go” message came, it would be the greatest undertaking of any of their lives.  They all knew it was the message for which they had been waiting, but only the Admiral knew what it meant.

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November 22

Dallas, Texas -- 12:30 p.m. People inside the Trade Mart milled about, waiting for the guest of honor at the luncheon. It isn’t every day that the President of the United States comes to speak, or that you get to have lunch with him. The room boiled with excitement. It should be soon now.

Someone outside the Trade Mart was watching for the motorcade. He saw the presidential motorcade coming. But it didn’t turn off. Not only did it not turn off, it was traveling at a high rate of speed as it flew by. Something had gone wrong! Those attending the luncheon would be disappointed because the president never made it.

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November 11

A lot of things have happened on this date in our nation’s history.

1831 -- Nat Turner, who led fellow slaves on a bloody uprising in Virginia, was hanged.  Turner, an educated minister, believed he was chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery.  Some 60 whites were killed in the two-day rampage.

Perhaps it is fitting that on this date in 1885, a man destined to become one of the greatest generals World War II, George Patton, was born.

1889 -- Washington was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state.

1938 -- Kate Smith first performed “God Bless America” on her weekly radio show.  Irving Berlin wrote the song for her.  Today, to honor US troops, Major League Baseball teams now perform “God Bless America” between the top and bottom half of the seventh inning in lieu of having the crowd sing the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

November 11 is most famous for the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  In 1918, World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice.  That event brought November 11 into the focus of the American public.  Americans commemorate Veteran’s Day.  It is the day we honor our veterans for their service to our country.  Thank a vet for their service today!

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