Month: July 2022

Blackout Engulfs New York City (1977)

The New York City blackout of 1977 came at a low point in New York history, when the city was facing a financial crisis and being terrorized by the “Son of Sam” murderer. The blackout lasted only one night, but when it was over, a record 3,776 people had been arrested, and looting, vandalism, and arson had caused an estimated $300 million worth of damage. The chain of events that sparked the blackout began when the power failed in Westchester County. What caused this initial power failure? Discuss

Apollonian Games

Apollo was an ancient Greek god, but his fame had spread to Rome where he was adopted as a healing god during a plague in the fifth century BCE. The Romans first held the Ludi Apollinares, or Apollonian Games, in 212 BCE. Originally the Games took place on July 13; they turned into an eight-day event due to the event’s success. An ox with gilded horns was sacrificed to Apollo, and everyone feasted. Of the eight days, two were devoted to games and races in the Circus Maximus, a huge outdoor arena, and the other six were devoted to plays in the theaters and market fairs. Discuss

John Jacob Astor (1864)

Astor was a financier and inventor. A man of many talents, he made a fortune in real estate, built the Astoria Hotel, invented a bicycle brake and a turbine engine, and wrote the science-fiction novel A Journey in Other Worlds about life on the planets Saturn and Jupiter. His second marriage to the much younger Madeleine Talmage Force caused a scandal, and the two took an extended honeymoon abroad to wait out the controversy. On their return trip, Astor was killed in what disaster? Discuss

University of Oxford

Oxford is one of the oldest English-language universities in the world. A leading center of learning throughout the Middle Ages, it has maintained an outstanding reputation, especially in the classics, theology, and political science. John Locke, Adam Smith, Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen Hawking are among the luminaries who have studied at Oxford. What founder of modern chemistry never formally studied at Oxford but was active in its academic community and awarded an honorary degree? Discuss

Medal of Honor Authorized by US Congress (1862)

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the US. It is presented by the president for “gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of…life above and beyond the call of duty” while engaged in an action against an enemy. Members of all branches of the US military are eligible to receive the medal, but each branch has its own special design. The Philadelphia Mint designed the medal, which was first awarded during the Civil War. How many soldiers have received the medal twice? Discuss

George Eastman (1854)

In the late 1800s, Eastman invented roll film, devised the Kodak camera, and founded the Eastman Kodak Company. His affordable cameras were an essential part of the development of photography as a popular hobby, and his experiments with Thomas Edison made motion pictures possible. Known for his philanthropy, Eastman donated $100 million to various institutions. In his later years, he suffered from a debilitating spinal disorder and committed suicide in 1932. What were his last words? Discuss