On August 11, 3114 BC, time began. That is, at least if you were an ancient Mayan. The Mayan Long Count calendar, an intricate and sophisticated timekeeping system, has captivated scholars and historians for centuries. Its origins trace back to the ancient Maya civilization,…
Read MoreOn August 10, 1954, in the small upstate town of Massena, New York, political leaders, engineers, and dignitaries gathered for an event that had been more than half a century in the making: the groundbreaking of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Beneath a bright summer…
Read MoreOn Aug. 10, 1962, in Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #15, an American superhero came to life and changed comic books and, eventually, movies forever. Created by the collaborative team of writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man was an instant sensation with readers. “Spider-Man was a…
Read MoreOn August 10, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan embarked on one of the most ambitious and historic voyages in the annals of exploration: the first circumnavigation of the globe. This monumental journey, undertaken under the auspices of the Spanish crown, would forever alter the world’s understanding…
Read MoreIn one of the most brutal crimes in modern American history, followers of cult leader Charles Manson carried out a murderous rampage at a Benedict Canyon estate, leaving five people dead — among them the eight-months-pregnant actress Sharon Tate, wife of film director Roman…
Read MoreSmokey Bear, commonly known as Smokey the Bear, stands as an enduring symbol of wildfire prevention in the United States. With his iconic slogan, “Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires,” Smokey has become a cultural figure representing the nation’s efforts to protect forests from…
Read MoreAugust 9, 48 BC, saw a battle that shaped the course of history for a thousand years. Pitting Julius Caesar against Pompey, the Battle of Pharsalus was a pivotal conflict during the Roman Civil War. This decisive battle occurred near the town of Pharsalus…
Read MoreOn a quiet London morning in August 1969, a Scottish photographer named Iain Macmillan climbed a stepladder in the middle of the street while a police officer held up traffic. For just ten minutes, he had the full cooperation of four of the most…
Read MoreOn the evening of August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon addressed the nation from the Oval Office, announcing his resignation. This unprecedented event marked the first time a U.S. president resigned from office, a dramatic climax to the Watergate scandal dominating the White House.…
Read MoreOn August 8, 1945 the United States, England, France and the Soviet Union joined together and signed the London Agreement, a new treaty to impose justice against the Nazis for their crimes. For two months during the summer of 1945, Robert H. Jackson and…
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