Your Daily Reference

[msmoon]

Beware, for I am: Not so good...

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On This Day: Thursday July 13, 2006

This is the 194th day of the year, with 171 days remaining in 2006.

Fact of the Day: Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail is approximately 2,000 miles long and goes from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon. It took at least four months to travel the 2,000-mile trail the first time. The Oregon Trail was in regular use from 1841 through 1869, during which time it was traveled by an estimated 500,000 pioneers. In 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed, displacing use of the Trail for long distance travel.

Holidays

• Feast day of Saints Bridget and Maura, St. Henry the Emperor, St. Silas or Silvanus, St. Francis Solano, and St. Eugenius of Carthage.
• France: Night Watch or La Retraite Aux Flambeaux.
• Japan: Bon Festival / Feast of Lanterns.

Events

• 1787 - The U.S. Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, enacted the Northwest Ordinance, establishing rules for governing the Northwest Territory, for admitting new states to the Union and limiting the expansion of slavery.
• 1837 - Queen Victoria became the first sovereign to move into Buckingham Palace, London.
• 1863 - Deadly rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City.
• 1939 - Frank Sinatra made his recording debut with the Harry James band, singing "Melancholy Mood" and "From The Bottom of My Heart."
• 1977 - A blackout lasting 25 hours hit the New York City area after lightning struck upstate power lines.

Births

• 1729 - John Parker, leader of the volunteer Minutemen in the American Revolution.
• 1913 - Dave Garroway, American newscaster and television host.
• 1921 - Charles Scribner, Jr., American book publisher.
• 1942 - Harrison Ford, American actor.
• 1944 - Erno Rubik, Hungarian inventor.

Deaths

• 1712 - Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector of England and son of Oliver Cromwell.
• 1793 - Jean-Paul Marat, French politician, physician, journalist and revolutionary leader.

 

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MM