Twenty-three years ago today, seven astronauts never made it home when we lost space shuttle Columbia. It was a tragedy that changed space exploration and reminded us of its incredible risks. I think about their families every Feb. 1st. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
This Day in History, February 1:
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The Central Coast is wonderful. I went to UCSB and lived in Isla Vista and Goleta. Also lived in the Morro Bay area for 3 years. Glorious.
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords seems increasingly appealing as a basis for a system of government.
New Federal employment questionnaire:
QUESTION 1 – Have you seen the Melania movie?
YES – Proceed to question 2
NO – We're sorry, but you do not have the qualifications we're looking for at this time.
Circa 1898 view of Mt Lowe Observatory (1894-1928) and Echo Mountain House hotel (1894-1900) atop Echo Mountain above Altadena, CA. As we can see, the 360° vistas from up there must have been remarkable.
Times change. Now it's a tolerable and excusable vice.
On this day, January 29:
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On this day, January 29th:
1595 – Possible premiere of "Romeo and Juliet"
1845 – Poe's "The Raven" published
1861 – Kansas admitted as 34th state
1886 – Karl Benz patents first practical gasoline-powered automobile
1936 – Baseball Hall of Fame announces first 5 members
2002 – "Axis of Evil" speech
Bruce Springsteen has released an official video for "Streets of Minneapolis." #ICE www.chimesfreedom.com/2026/01/28/b...
The Doors' Jim Morrison was arrested in Las Vegas, NV on Jan 28, 1968, for public drunkenness, vagrancy, and failure to possess sufficient ID at the Pussycat a' Go Go at 11:50pm. t.co/7QTGWvC2Ph
His friend, author Robert Gover, was also arrested.
This marvelous view shows Mexico City in 1862 and the sketch was produced from a hot-air balloon. We see mountains on the horizon, individual buildings, parks and roads. Source features a zoomable high-res version: buff.ly/imrWsLW
Well, if you’re going to be delayed you might as well be delayed in Prosser and Peachey’s magnificent 1877 train shed
#York
@nevadacurrent.com I'm going to make a bold guess that you meant South Korea, not North Korea, in the first sentence of this morning's newsletter.
Ms. Buckley, on behalf of my co-worker, thank you so much to the Legal Aid Center for helping her. You enabled her to fight back and win at least a partial victory, which wouldn't have happened otherwise.
Harrison Ruffin Tyler was just three generations from the White House, since his father and grandfather both fathered children in their 70s. The chemical engineer helped preserve his family's legacy.
Robert “Ed” Smylie, the NASA official who saved the Apollo 13 crew in 1970, has died at 95. He cobbled together an apparatus made of cardboard, plastic bags and duct tape after an explosion crippled the spacecraft as it sped toward the moon.
@profgalloway.com You've inspired me. I'm re-watching "Planet of the Apes." Haven't seen it in many years.
Wealth and prosperity will have to wait. I'm only halfway through.
Ben Franklin died today in 1790. The only man to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris and the constitution.
During the debates on the Constitution he was asked if America was to be a republic or a monarchy.
He replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’
So touching! I worked on Bonnie & Clyde when I was 16 & Gene was so kind to “the kid” on the set. Gracious man & so funny! I also sat all day talking to a young actor who was very nervous about his 1 scene in the movie…Gene Wilder. Both so lovely & sadly both now gone. #RIPGeneHackman💔💔💔💔💔
Thomas Edison sitting in a chair in a library, holding a cigar, with shelves of books and recording equipment nearby.
#OnThisDay in 1878, Thomas Edison received a patent for the phonograph, the first device capable of recording and playing back sound.
📸 Getty
A painted portrait of Thomas Jefferson, wearing dark clothing with a white scarf around his neck. He he white hair, and looks straight ahead.
#OnThisDay in 1801, a tense deadlock in the US Electoral College was finally resolved when the House of Representatives elected Thomas Jefferson as President and Aaron Burr as Vice President.
Which led Churchill to later remark, "The Admiralty had demanded 6 ships; the economists offered 4; and we finally compromised on 8."
The following year, the Government wanted to build 4 dreadnoughts. The Navy wanted 6. So a decision was made to build 4, but to allocate provisionary funds to build another 4 depending on German outlays.
He began with a year (1906 or 1907) when Britain built four dreadnoughts and Germany built two. The following year, each nation built three. The following year, Britain built two and Germany built four.
I remember Alfred Gollin at UCSB, teaching us about British and German dreadnought construction in the years prior to the First World War. "These numbers WILL BE ON THE TEST," he assured us. "But don't worry, because none of them is larger than four."
Today in 1906 HMS Dreadnought was launched. The fastest, most well protected, heavily armed battleship the world had ever seen. Every other battleship in the world became obsolete.
Instantly.
@jonhumbert.bsky.social You taught him well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nHE...
A wedding photo of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She is wearing a white dress and veil and leaning on a small column, with her bouquet on top. Albert is wearing military dress and facing her.
#OnThisDay in 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. Unusually for brides of the time, Victoria wore a white dress, a symbol not so much of purity than of wealth, which proved immensely influential.
📸 Getty
@jhughjackson.bsky.social You may want to keep "unguarded ogler" in mind for a future morning newsletter. bsky.app/profile/theh...
