Back in the day, there were jobs to do just about everything. You could be paid to reset the pins at a bowling alley or knock on people’s windows to wake them up. But inventions, technology, efficiency and knowledge have contributed to the demise of such jobs that used to be commonplace in the economy, […]
THURSDAY THROWBACK: Nixon Resigns the U.S. Presidency
In an evening televised address on Aug. 10, 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announces his intention to become the first president in American history to resign. With impeachment proceedings underway against him for his involvement in the Watergate affair, Nixon was finally bowing to pressure from the public and Congress to leave the White House. […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: First Mickey Mouse Watch Sold
{excerpted from Mark “The Watch Doctor” Siriani’s blog} On August 3, 1933, the first Mickey Mouse watch went on sale, priced at $2.75. It was one of the first pieces of merchandise tied to a movie, and certainly one of the best known in history. While the Disney Company of today may be a merchandising […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: U.S. Post Office Established
{excerpted from an article at The History Channel online} On July 26 in 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system. In 1753, Franklin, who had been postmaster of […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: First Women’s Rights Convention Held
{excerpted from an article on History.com} At the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, N.Y., a woman’s rights convention the first ever held in the United States convened with almost 200 women in attendance. The convention was organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, two abolitionists who met at the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Unlucky Friday the 13th
This Friday some people will be so paralyzed with fear they simply won’t get out of bed. Others will refuse to fly on an airplane, buy a house, or act on a hot stock tip. It’s Friday the 13th, and triskaidekaphobes – those who fear the unlucky number – are freaked out. “It’s been […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Vintage Ads
Ever since the industrial revolution found its way to the United States of America, marketing and commercialization has risen along with it. With all the cool new THINGS we can purchase thanks to the incredible power of cheap labor and capitalism, why wouldn’t we want to be informed? So we have advertisements! Nowadays, they play […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Flag Day Established in 1777
History of Flag Day, June 14 During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating that the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white and that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation. The national flag, which became known […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: First Union Strike Benefit Authorized
On May 31, 1786, the first strike benefit in U.S. history was authorized. Protesting against a recent wage reduction, 26 members of the Typographical Society pledged that “we will support such of our brethren as shall be thrown out of employment on account of their refusing to work for less than $6 per week.” They […]
THROWBACK THURSDAY: History of Fax
(from Fax Authority) “Fax,” a short form of the word facsimile, has evolved through a number of versions to be a definition of an image (often an image of a document) sent over a phone network. While the technology peaked in use from the late 1980s to the mid 2000s, it might surprise you to […]