THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: I Love Lucy Premieres (1951)

I Love Lucy Premieres (1951)

In 1951, Lucille Ball became one of the first movie stars—and the first woman—to headline a television series. The prototypical situation comedy, I Love Lucy became a spectacular success, showcasing Ball’s comic energy, flair for slapstick, and chemistry with her co-star and real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, as they portrayed the zany middle-class couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. The program is still syndicated today. What word was once prohibited from being used on I Love Lucy? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Largest Art Theft in US History (1990)

Largest Art Theft in US History (1990)

On March 18, 1990, thieves disguised as police officers broke into Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and stole 13 works of art, including paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Manet, and Degas. The crime, considered the largest art theft in US history, remains unsolved. Due to the strict provisions of Gardner’s will, which stipulate that the collection remain unchanged, the paintings’ empty frames remain on display in their original locations. What group is suspected of carrying out the heist? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: The Truman Doctrine (1947)

The Truman Doctrine (1947)

In the early stages of the Cold War, US President Harry Truman sought to protect Turkey and Greece from falling under Soviet influence when the UK announced that it could no longer provide them with aid. The Truman Doctrine, which called for the US to “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures,” shifted US foreign policy to a strategy of Soviet containment. How much money did Congress appropriate in response to Truman’s message? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Courrières Mine Disaster (1906)

Courrières Mine Disaster (1906)

The Courrières mine disaster, the worst mining accident in European history, killed 1,099 miners in Northern France. It is generally agreed that the majority of the deaths and destruction were caused by an explosion of dust which swept through the mine, however, it has never been ascertained what caused the coal dust to ignite in the first place. A group of 13 trapped survivors, later known as the rescapés, was found by rescuers 20 days after the explosion. How had they survived? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Is Launched (1970)

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Is Launched (1970)

PBS is an American non-profit, private corporation that provides its members—public television stations—with educational, cultural, and news programs. The network is supported by public funds and private contributions rather than commercials. Its popular programs, produced by its member stations and other independent program producers, have included Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theatre, and Nova. How does PBS differ from its radio counterpart, National Public Radio? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Boris Yeltsin Orders Tanks to Storm Russian Parliament (1993)

Boris Yeltsin Orders Tanks to Storm Russian Parliament (1993)

As president of an independent Russia, Boris Yeltsin sought to end state control of the economy but clashed with parliament, which was controlled by former Communists. When Yeltsin suspended the parliament, it retaliated by naming Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi as acting president, and anti-Yeltsin forces barricaded themselves inside the parliament building. The military interceded on Yeltsin’s side and, after a bloody battle, troops recaptured the parliament building. What was the death toll? More… Discuss

This Day in the Yesteryear: EMPEROR TRAJAN INAUGURATES THE AQUA TRAIANA (109 CE)

Français : Plan de Rome avec l’aqua Traiana en rouge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Emperor Trajan Inaugurates the Aqua Traiana (109 CE)

The Aqua Traiana was an aqueduct built under Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century CE. The structure channeled water to Rome from sources around Lake Bracciano, about 25

Detail of Trajan’s Column (Photo credit: 5telios)

mi (40 km) northwest of the city. In 1605, Pope Paul V initiated the Aqua Traiana’s repair to augment the city’s water supply. Renamed the Acqua Paola in the pope’s honor, it was completed in 1612 and boasted a lavish fountain with columns of granite and marble. What is meant by the Roman saying “as good as the Acqua Paola”? More… Discuss

Related articles

• Islam – Prehistory, Myths & Present (III) (vamadevananda.wordpress.com)
• This Day in Ancient History: pridie nonas junias (rogueclassicism.com)
• Mercati di Traiano (Mono X Color) (lightslant.wordpress.com)
• Learning About Italian History: The Roman Colosseum (italy.answers.com)
• The Third Persecution, Under Trajan, A.D. 108 (altruistico.wordpress.com)
• I Hereby Adopt Marcus Ulpius Nerva Trajan… (delong.typepad.com)

This Day in the Yesteryear: THE SICILIAN VESPERS REBELLION (1282)

The Sicilian Vespers Rebellion (1282)

By 1282, the French Angevin dynasty had controlled of the island of Sicily for decades. However, at the start of the traditional vespers service on Easter Monday, an uprising spontaneously broke out following a seemingly isolated altercation in which local residents sparred with French soldiers. The revolt spread like wildfire, and soon the Sicilians had massacred almost every French person on the island. What reportedly started the confrontation between the Sicilians and the soldiers? More… Discuss