Today in History...

[Menehune Man]

Post some interesting facts from each corresponding date in history.

Oct. 18, 1851 - Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" is first published as "The Whale".

[lavagal]

October 18, 1912
The first Balkan War broke out.

And the whole planet has been a mess every day, ever since.

[Lalalinder]

October 18, 1926:

Chuck Berry is born.

[Stephen]

Off topic, sort of. Sadly, I lived in St. Louis (home of Chuck Berry) for the last 25 years minus about 5 I spent away. He plays about twice a month at Blueberry Hill (if you ever visit the STL, go there - watch a band - it's worth it) on Wednesdays. I never went to see him. How sad is that? I think I'll try to catch him when I go back for Christmas. Rollover Beethoven.
Stephen

[Menehune Man]

Oct. 19, 1985
The first "Blockbuster Video" stores opens in Dallas, Texas.

[sinjin]

On October 20, 1803, the Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase Treaty by a vote of twenty-four to seven. The agreement, which provided for the purchase of the western half of the Mississippi River basin from France at a price of less than three cents per acre, doubled the size of the country and paved the way for westward expansion beyond the Mississippi.

[Lalalinder]

Off topic, sort of. Sadly, I lived in St. Louis (home of Chuck Berry) for the last 25 years minus about 5 I spent away. He plays about twice a month at Blueberry Hill (if you ever visit the STL, go there - watch a band - it's worth it) on Wednesdays. I never went to see him. How sad is that? I think I'll try to catch him when I go back for Christmas. Rollover Beethoven.
Stephen
We were lucky enough to see him at the Puyallup Fair a some years ago. There he was, in his seventies and the crowd went wild. He had everyone dancing, kids onstage, it was fabulous.

[SouthKona]

On October 20, 1568, the expedition of Álvaro de Mendaña de Neyra discovered "a low barren island, judged to be eight leagues in circumference," to which he gave the name of "San Francisco.” The British visited it in 1796 and named it after Captain William Wake (now known as "Wake Island").

[Menehune Man]

Oct. 20, 1977

A plane carrying the southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd" crashes in Mississippi, killing several band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. My favorite Skynyrd song is "Simple Man".

[Menehune Man]

Oct. 21, 1492

Christopher Columbus makes landfall at the San Salvador Islands.

[sinjin]

October 21, 1797
U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, Old Ironsides, launched in Boston.

October 21, 1945
Women in France allowed to vote for 1st time

October 21, 1957
Jailhouse Rock starring Elvis Presley opens

[Menehune Man]

Oct.22, 1844

The Millerites and members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church were greatly disappointed that Jesus didn't return as predicted by Preacher William Miller. I'm glad He didn't come back then and besides don't they know it's next week Tuesday? Only joking!

[Menehune Man]

Nov. 24th, 1859

"The Origin of Species" by British naturalist Charles Darwin was first published, and immediately sold out it's initial print run.

Gotta love those (fiction) novels. HaHa!

[Pedro]

I'm suffering from a mild hang over my back hurts from playing golf and I am here at work maybe that won't be in history books but that's how I feel. Happy Thanks Giving Buddy!

[na alii]

Oct. 20, 1977

A plane carrying the southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd" crashes in Mississippi, killing several band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. My favorite Skynyrd song is "Simple Man".
Mine is "Sweet Home Alabama".

[Pedro]

Oct. 20, 1977

A plane carrying the southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd" crashes in Mississippi, killing several band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. My favorite Skynyrd song is "Simple Man".

I love that song Simple Man

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
(Wow I had too much to drink yesterday now I'm hanging)

[Menehune Man]

Nov. 26th, 1778

The expedition led by Capt. James Cook reached Maui.
"Maui No Ka Oi" :D

[Menehune Man]

Nov. 27th, 2001

The Hubble Space Telescope detected sodium in the atmosphere of the extrasolar planet HD209458b , the first planetary atmosphere outside our solar system to be measured. Here's a LINK (www2.iap.fr/exoplanetes/images_hd209458_en.html) .

[Menehune Man]

Nov. 29th, 1890

In the first Army-Navy football game, Navy sinks Army 24 to 0. Go Navy!

[Menehune Man]

Nov. 30th, 1979

"The Wall" , a rock opera and concept album by Pink Floyd, was first released. :cool:

Don't remember the date or much else but I went to the 23rd Step in Kailua for a night of "The Wall", way back when. ;)

[Pedro]

Da Eagles come to Honolulu for a four day sold out concert at the Blasedell Arena. I went for the first showing and they were GOOD! I know it never go down in da history books yet but eventually it will..

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 1st, 1955

In Montgomery, Alabama, Ms. Rosa Parks refuses to give her seat to a white man and is arrested for violating the city's racial segregation laws.

You go girl !

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 2nd, 1942

"Manhattan Project" A team led by Enrico Fermi initiate the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. :eek:

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 3rd, 1999

The "Mars Polar Lander" reached Mars and then promptly disappeared! Another :eek:

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 5th, 1945

Flight 19 - A squadron of five Avenger TBM Torpedo Bombers of the U.S. Navy, disappeared in the "Bermuda Triangle". :eek: for a third time in a row.

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 8th, 1980

The day the music died. John Lennon that is.

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 9th (Observance Day)

Anti-corruption Day

We need more of those!

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 10th, 1965

The Greatful Dead play thier first cocert, at The Fillmore in San Francisco!

And the world has never been the same....

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 12th, 2000

The United States Supreme Court releases it's decision in Bush v. Gore , deciding the presidential election of 2000.

I still think the coin toss was rigged. ;)

[Miulang]

Dec. 12th, 2000

The United States Supreme Court releases it's decision in Bush v. Gore , deciding the presidential election of 2000.

I still think the coin toss was rigged. ;)

I can simulate the decision anytime I want because I have a commemorative 2-headed silver coin from the Washington Mint with Bush on one side and Gore on the other!

Miulang

[Menehune Man]

They had a double-headed Bush coin though. Geez!

[Menehune Man]

Dec,13th, 1577

Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage.

What an adventure that was!

[Menehune Man]

Dec.15th, 1791

The United States Bill of Rights becomes law when ratified by the Virginia Legislature.

And to think... We're still trying to decide on whether or not they got it right?

[Menehune Man]

Dec.16th, 1773

The Boston Tea Party: a crowd of colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumps 342 crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the British Tea Act.

[alohabear]

Dec.16th, 1773

The Boston Tea Party: a crowd of colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumps 342 crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the British Tea Act.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time in 1901. :)

[jdub]

December 16, 1653 Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Also, Beethoven was born in 1770 and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons was born in 1949. Coincidence? I think not.

[Menehune Man]

Dec.18th, 1966

Epimetheus , one of Saturn's natural satellites, was discovered, but was mistaken as "Janus". It took 12 years to determine that they are two distinct objects sharing virtually the same orbit.

I hope this Link (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimetheus_%28moon%29) works. Read about their interchangeable orbits. It's really fascinating!

[Menehune Man]

Dec.18th, 1966

Epimetheus , one of Saturn's natural satellites, was discovered, but was mistaken as "Janus". It took 12 years to determine that they are two distinct objects sharing virtually the same orbit.

I hope this Link (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimetheus_%28moon%29) works. Read about their interchangeable orbits. It's really fascinating!

They're due to switch orbits again in Jan.,2006!

[Menehune Man]

Dec.19th, 1974

An early personal computer, the Altair 8800 , went on sale.

And look how far we've gone in the past 32 years. Wow!

[Menehune Man]

Dec.21st, 1913

Arthur Wynne published the first crossword puzzle in the "New York World".

Also December 21st is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

[Kalalau]

Today marks the 126th anniversary of the birth of Josef Stalin, one of the very few tyrants to die a natural death at an advanced age. He stood only 5'4", always had himself photographed from below to create the illusion of size, and wore elevator shoes secretly bought in Berlin. He studied for the priesthood as a youth. He suffered small pox as a child and had terribly pock marked skin, but had photographs of himself doctored to eliminate the ugly marks. He may have been the only person in the world who expected Hitler not to attack Russia after the Non-Aggression Pact, and had his intelligence agents who reported German buildups, and indeed the first German incursions across the Russian border, shot! When he at last accepted the reality of the German invasion he retreated to his dacha east of Moscow and stayed stone drunk for a week, until the Politburo arrived en masse and commanded him to take command. During WW2 he was successfully able to control his paranoia, his ego, his drunkenness enough to out-play the methedrine befuddled Hitler. The country Stalin commanded, the USSR, broke apart peacefully with the signing of a simple piece of paper on Dec. 25, 1991. The tyrant and his creation have vanished from the face of the Earth.

[alohabear]

1937 Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Too bad they don't make them like that anymore. :p

[Menehune Man]

Dec.24th, 1777

Christmas Island, the oldest atoll in the world, was discovered by Captain James Cook.

Dec.24th, 1914

British and German soldiers interupted World War 1 to celebrate Christmas, beginning the "Christmas Truce". AWESOME!

[Menehune Man]

Dec. 25th, 1223

Saint Francis of Assisi assembles the first Nativity scene.
That's a pretty neat fact, I had wondered where and when they first started.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Kauaibound]

Wow that is a neat fact! Thanks for sharing and Mele Kalikimaka!

http://bestsmileys.com/christmas5/19.gif

[Menehune Man]

Jan.1st, 45BC

The Julian Calendar first takes effect.

Here's a Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar).

[Creative-1]

Today is Queen Emma's birthday. She was born on January 2, 1836.

Emma was offered to her mother's sister, Grace Kamaikui Rooke and her husband, Dr. T.C.B. Rooke who were unable to have children of their own. They lived downtown, on the corner of Nuuanu and Beretania streets, where the Liberty Theatre once stood. Today, it's a parking lot.

She attended the Chief's Children's School, which is now Royal School.

She married Alexander Liholiho, Kamehameha IV, and together they personally raised $13,000 to build the Queen's Hospital, originally on Fort Street downtown in 1859.

Emma also went to England and asked Queen Victoria's help in educating the children of Hawaii. They sent people to start a school for boys in 1863 - originally Luaehu School on Maui, which is now Iolani School.

The other was St. Andrew's Priory School, which opened in 1867. It was so named because Kamehameha IV died on the feast day of St. Andrew at age 29, a year after their 4 year old son, Albert, died, possibly of a brain tumor.

Albert Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha was the last child born to a Hawaiian monarch on May 20, 1858.

Emma died on April 25, 1885 at age 49. She left the bulk of her estate, some 13,000 acres of land on the Big Island and in Waikiki, in trust for the hospital that honors her.

[kimo55]

Hauoli na Hanau, Ali'i Nui Emma!

[stumphurple]

jan 5 2000 was the first day of the 2000 al qaeda summit at which intelligence officials believe the finalization plans for 9/11 were made. 6 yrs later we are fighting the enemy. let us pray that our brave men and women in uniform persevere in that fight.

never forget.

[Menehune Man]

Jan.5th, 2002

Charles Bishop, a 15-year old student pilot, crashes a light aircraft into a Tampa, Florida building, evoking fear of a copycat 9/11 terrorist attack.

[Menehune Man]

Jan. 7th, 1953

President Harry Truman announces that the United States has developed a hydrogen bomb.

The only country (so far) to use such "Weapons of mass destruction". :eek: Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Atomic bombs, those were. We just keep on perfecting the unspeakable.

[backwoodlessons2]

Thanks for the info. :D

[Menehune Man]

Jan.29th, 1929

The 'Seeing Eye' is established with the mission to train dogs to assist the blind. (Nashville, Tennessee)

Alot of good has come from that organization.
Mahalo Nui Loa!

[Menehune Man]

Jan.29th, 1929

The 'Seeing Eye' is established with the mission to train dogs to assist the blind. (Nashville, Tennessee)

Alot of good has come from that organization.
Mahalo Nui Loa!

Sorry! Just noticed it. Was Jan. 9th, 1929. :o

[Menehune Man]

Jan. 10th, 2000

America Online announces an agreement to buy Time Warner for $162 Billion, the largest corporate merger in history.

And that's the way the bread is baked. Or so my Mom says.

[Menehune Man]

Jan. 17th, 1893

The Citizen's Committee of Public Safety , led by Lorrin A. Thurston overthrew the government of Queen Lili'uokalani of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

[zztype]

Jan. 18 1778: English navigator Captain James Cook reached the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the "Sandwich Islands."

[Miulang]

Jan. 18 1778: English navigator Captain James Cook reached the Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the "Sandwich Islands."
So that means Hawai'i is a "Capricorn" land, in the eyes of the astrologers...interesting...maybe the kanaka maoli, being of the land, might have a chance to persevere and succeed after all! :)

Miulang

[Menehune Man]

Jan.20th, 1887

The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base.

They always get the best,yeah? Sure could've been a yachtman's paradise with marinas and resorts and... :D

[Miulang]

Jan.20th, 1887

The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base.

They always get the best,yeah? Sure could've been a yachtman's paradise with marinas and resorts and... :D
Hmmm...What right did the US Senate have to allow the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base in January, 1887 when Hawai'i was still a Monarchy? This surely was paving the way for the debacle known as the Bayonnet Constitution on July 6, 1887 that Kalakaua was forced to ratify.

Miulang

[Menehune Man]

Hmmm...What right did the US Senate have to allow the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base in January, 1887 when Hawai'i was still a Monarchy? This surely was paving the way for the debacle known as the Bayonnet Constitution on July 6, 1887 that Kalakaua was forced to ratify.

Yep, it sure was. The U.S. Military was all set, hmmm.

[Menehune Man]

Jan.21st, 304

Thirteen year old Saint Agnes, the patron saint of young girls, was executed for refusing a marriage proposal.

Guess she felt that was the better option,eh?

My wife ran away from the village in Fiji when she was young because a man brought a Tabua (sperm whale tooth) and presented it to her father requesting to marry her. She went back a few months later and although they were upset, they let it slide. Whew!

[Creative-1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Miulang
Hmmm...What right did the US Senate have to allow the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base in January, 1887 when Hawai'i was still a Monarchy? This surely was paving the way for the debacle known as the Bayonnet Constitution on July 6, 1887 that Kalakaua was forced to ratify.


My understanding is that Hawaii offered the United States the use of Pearl Harbor in exchange for eliminating duties in both directions. This allowed our sugar industry to get off the ground.

The US sent General John Schofield to take a look at Pearl Harbor in 1872. He brought along the British ambassador and both felt the US and British navies could both comfortably fit in the harbor, if the entrance was dredged.

King Kalaukaua in his speech before the opening session of the 1887 Hawaiian Legislature commented on an extension of the original treaty:

"I take great pleasure in informing you that the Treaty of Reciprocity with the United States of America has been definitely extended for seven years upon the same terms as those in the original treaty, with the addition of a clause granting to national vessels of the United States the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor and establishing there a coaling and repair station.

This has been done after mature deliberation and the interchange between my Government and that of the United States of an interpretation of the said clause whereby it is agreed and understood that it does not cede any territory or part with or impair any right of sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part of the Hawaiian Kingdom and that such privilege is coterminous with the treaty.

I regard this as one of the most important events of my reign, and I sincerely believe that it will re-establish the commercial progress and prosperity which began with the Reciprocity Treaty."

[Creative-1]

Today in history: January 20, 1900

The great Chinatown fire happened 106 years ago today.

The Honolulu Fire Department started the fire on the mauka side of Beretania Street between Nuuanu Avenue and Smith Street.

Some suspect the intention was to burn down Chinatown, although they say they intended to only burn down a few homes where people had contracted the bubonic plague.

A shift in the tradewinds swept the fire across the street
and 38 acres were burned and 4,000 left homeless.

[Miulang]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Miulang
Hmmm...What right did the US Senate have to allow the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base in January, 1887 when Hawai'i was still a Monarchy? This surely was paving the way for the debacle known as the Bayonnet Constitution on July 6, 1887 that Kalakaua was forced to ratify.


My understanding is that Hawaii offered the United States the use of Pearl Harbor in exchange for eliminating duties in both directions. This allowed our sugar industry to get off the ground.

The US sent General John Schofield to take a look at Pearl Harbor in 1872. He brought along the British ambassador and both felt the US and British navies could both comfortably fit in the harbor, if the entrance was dredged.

King Kalaukaua in his speech before the opening session of the 1887 Hawaiian Legislature commented on an extension of the original treaty:

"I take great pleasure in informing you that the Treaty of Reciprocity with the United States of America has been definitely extended for seven years upon the same terms as those in the original treaty, with the addition of a clause granting to national vessels of the United States the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor and establishing there a coaling and repair station.

This has been done after mature deliberation and the interchange between my Government and that of the United States of an interpretation of the said clause whereby it is agreed and understood that it does not cede any territory or part with or impair any right of sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part of the Hawaiian Kingdom and that such privilege is coterminous with the treaty.

I regard this as one of the most important events of my reign, and I sincerely believe that it will re-establish the commercial progress and prosperity which began with the Reciprocity Treaty."
Oh good. That means we can blame Kalakaua for starting the whole mess in the 'aina:p

Miulang

[Menehune Man]

Jan. 22nd, 1973

Roe v. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark legal decision on abortion.

Since then many babies haven't been delivered . :(

[Menehune Man]

Jan. 25th, 1995

The Norwegian Rocket Incident:

Russia almost launches a nuclear attack after "Black Brant XII", a Norwegian research rocket, is mistaken for a U.S. Trident missle by the Olenegorsk early-warning radar station.

Whoa da close ah! :eek:

[Creative-1]

January 25, 1822
Charles Reed Bishop was born in New York. Bishop came to Hawaii by accident.

A four month voyage to Oregon took 8 months just to get to Hawaii. Bishop was so happy to make landfall, he ended his trip here. If the voyage had been pleasant, Hawaii would not have had First Hawaiian Bank (then called the Bank of Bishop and Company) and possibly Kamehameha Schools.

Princess Bernice Pauahi Paki had been pledged to marry Prince Lot, who became Kamehameha V. She met Bishop when she was just 16 and attending the Chiefs' Children's School (now Royal School), and he was 26.

One of the major dramas at the school was their romance. Pauahi’s mother and father (Konia and Abner Paki), and her Hawaiian friends wanted her to marry Prince Lot. She met with Lot and told him that she would marry him but would be unhappy for she did not love him, nor did he love her. Lot then released her from their childhood promise. Lot never married.

Bishop was the Collector General of Customs and called on Bernice nearly every evening. He was “in every way worthy of her heart and hand,” said Juliette Cooke.

Despite her parent’s opposition, Bernice Pauahi married Charles Bishop on June 4, 1850 in the parlor at Royal School. Paki and Konia refused to attend. The ceremony was small. Only six people attended.

The royal students of the Chiefs’ Children’s School were taught to serve the community. The last of the royal Kamehameha line, Pauahi owned or inherited more than 300,000 acres, one-ninth of the land in Hawaii, mostly from her older cousin Princess Ruth. The two of them were very close and planned to leave their estates for the betterment of the children of Hawaii.

Pauahi's estate was valued at only $474,000 at the time of her death in 1884. Bishop got Kamehameha Schools off to a good start. Much of the initial funding was his. He picked the first trustees and served as one himself.

Charles Reed Bishop lived another 30 years, until 1915.

[Creative-1]

The Coco Palms Resort opened on January 25, 1953. It had 24 rooms, two guests, and four employees when it opened. Under the visionary promotional eye of Grace Buscher Guslander, the resort grew to include 416 rooms by 1970.

Within the resort is a famous 2,000-tree coconut grove, which is the largest of only three similar groves in the entire state of Hawaii. The grove was originally planted with coconut tree nuts imported from Samoa by Mr. William Lindeman in 1896.

Grace was well known for her ability to embellish and create myths, stories, and facts surrounding her resort. Under Grace Guslander’s expanded interpretation of the Hawaiian practice of akua or “replenishment,” many noteworthy people took part in the planting of new coconut trees. Some of these included Hawaiian Olympic swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, The Von Trapp Family Singers, Bing Crosby, and a Japanese prince and princess. These and many other trees were marked throughout the property with name plaques.

The Coco Palms Resort achieved early exposure and fame in the 1961 Elvis Presley movie, Blue Hawaii. Virtually the last 20 minutes of the movie was shot on the grounds of the Coco Palms.

[Ein Skorpion]

Hey,
Today - the 27.1.2006 - for 250 Years Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg ;)...

[Menehune Man]

Feb.5th, 1958

A hydrogen bomb known as the TYBEE BOMB was lost by the U.S. Air Force off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, never to be recovered. WHAT! :eek:

Question? I wonder if that bomb could just go off someday? Sheesh.

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 8th, 1692

A doctor in Salem Village, Massachusettes Bay Colony declares three teenage girls are under domination of Satan, leading to the Salem Witch Trials.

Also Feb. 8th, 1855

The Devil's Footprints mysteriously appear in Southern Devon.

The Devil must take his vacation from work(Hell) in February. :D

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 9th, 1885

The first Japanese arrive in Hawaii. :cool:

[Glen Miyashiro]

Feb. 9th, 1885

The first Japanese arrive in Hawaii. :cool:Bzzzt. The first Japanese arrived earlier than that, something like 1868, in small numbers. 1885 is when the big waves of Japanese immigration started in earnest.

[Menehune Man]

Bzzzt. The first Japanese arrived earlier than that, something like 1868, in small numbers. 1885 is when the big waves of Japanese immigration started in earnest.

Thanks for the correction. Just goes to prove that you can't believe everything you read... I got the info from Wikipedia.

[Creative-1]

I spent some time researching the earliest person from Japan to come to Hawaii. It was in 1841 and is a fascinating story.

Manjiro Nakahama was the first Japanese to come to Hawaii and the US. In 1841, at age 14, he and several of his fellow fishermen were caught in a storm at sea and shipwrecked on a small deserted island far off the coast of Japan.

Nearly six months later, a whaleship, the John Howland, sailing out of the port of New Bedford, happened upon the island and rescued the stranded fishermen. Four of the five Japanese were put ashore in Hawaii, and stayed for a time at the Honolulu Fort (where the Amfac bldg. is today).

Manjiro had become friends with the commander of the ship, Captain William Whitfield of Fairhaven and sailed back to New Bedford with him. Thus he unwittingly became the first Japanese to come to the United States to live.

Manjiro (now known as John Manjiro or John Mung), lived with the Whitfield family and attended school in their hometown of Fairhaven. He was the top student in his class.

Eventually he finally found his way back to Japan after many adventures, including a stint as a Forty-Niner in the California Gold Rush. He was first jailed, as it was illegal to leave and re-enter Japan.

Comodore Perry was sailing to Japan, and Manjiro was soon called upon to consult and and interpret during the initiation of relations between Japan and the United States.

President Coolidge later said “When John returned to Japan, it was as if America had sent its first ambassador. Our envoy Perry could enjoy so cordial a reception because John had made Japan's central authority understand the true face of America.”

He was elevated to samurai, and served in the Kochi Castle, which is the model for Makiki Christian Church's building.

He became a professor at Kaisei College, the predecessor of today's Tokyo University and wrote the first Japanese-English dictionary. He died in 1898 at age 71.

Bob Sigall
(from an article by Prof. Tetsuo Kawasumi of Keio University.)

[Menehune Man]

Thanks Creative1 for checking that out and sharing. What a cool story. He sure made good of his life especially after what could have been... an early end.

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 11th, 1963

The Beatles began recording for their first album,
"Please Please Me" .
And the music world has never been the same!

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 14th, 1989

The first satellite in the 'satellite constellation' of the Global Positioning System was placed into orbit.

So does that mean we now know where we're going, are, and have been?
Can anyone say... Geocaching?! :rolleyes:

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 15th, 2003

Millions around the world took part in the largest mass protest movement in history against the impending invasion of Iraq.

[Creative-1]

52 years ago today, February 15, 1954, Central Pacific Bank opened.

A group of young nisei World War II veterans of the 442nd, 100th and Military Intelligence Service, including Daniel K. Inouye, Sakae Takahashi, Elton Sakamoto and others, refused to accept the social inequities and economic status quo of the post-WW II period.

They started meeting regularly at Ala Moana Beach Park with their 50-cent plate lunches to plan the materialization of their new dream – creating a bank that would serve all of the people of Hawaii. The name “Central Pacific Bank” was an extension of Pacific Bank, a Japanese-managed bank that was shut down when the war started.

Owning not much more than their dream and the “Go For Broke” spirit that earned them the distinction of true heroes during WW II, this group of young nisei veterans turned to the community for support. To their surprise, the grassroots campaign to raise capital was met with such overwhelming support throughout the state, that $1 million was raised in the first effort.

The three Japanese-managed banks that operated before the war were all shut down by the Office of the Alien Property Custodian after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The Bank opened for business on February 15, 1954 on the corner of King and Smith Streets, and was the first bank to open in Hawaii since 1935.

The first year of business generated over $5 million in deposits, $6.4 million in assets, and a very small profit.

From it’s humble beginnings, conceived under the trees at Ala Moana Beach Park nearly 50 years ago, the “people’s bank” has grown to be the third largest commercial bank in Hawaii.

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 19th, 1942

U.S. Executive Order 9066 was signed, authorising the relocation and confinement of over 112,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps.

Widely affecting Hawaii's citizens.

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 24th, 1831

The "Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek", the first removal treaty in accordance with the Indian Removal Act , is proclaimed. The Choctaws in Mississippi cede land east of the river in exchange for payment and land in the west.

Your thoughts?

[Menehune Man]

Feb. 28th, 1983

The final episode of the television series M*A*S*H was broadcast in the U.S., and became the most-watched T.V. program in history.

I wonder if that distinction still stands? Or is another show now occupying that honor?

[Menehune Man]

March 4th, 1966

John Lennon says The Beatles are more popular than Jesus , which sparks controversy in the United States. Here's a LINK (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JohnLennon#.22More_popular_than_Jesus.22_controver sy)

[Menehune Man]

March 5th, 1915
World War 1: LZ33 , a zeppelin, is damaged by enemy fire and stranded south of Ostend, Belgium.

Also...

March 5th, 1971
The first live performance of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven"

[Menehune Man]

March 8th, 1948

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that religious instruction in public schools violated the Constitution.

:rolleyes:

[Menehune Man]

March 10th, 1982

Astronomical Syzygy: All 9 planets of our solar system align on the same side of the sun. Here's a LINK (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syzygy)

[Creative-1]

The Moana Hotel opened on this date, March 11, 1901, 105 years ago.

The Moana was the first luxury hotel in Waikiki. Each room had a bath and telephone, and the room rate was $1.50 a day (about $25 in today's dollars).

Walter C. Peacock built the Moana for $150,000 (more than $2.5 million in today’s dollars). Unfortunately, the hotel did not do well in its first few years, due to circumstances beyond Peacock's control. A bubonic plague swept the islands in 1899 and devastated what little tourism there was.

In 1918, the two wings and two additional floors were added.
Architect Oliver G. Traphagen designed the hotel in the Beaux Arts style. The Louvre in Paris and the Vienna Opera House were also built in this style.

“Meet You Beneath the Banyan Tree” has been the hotel’s slogan as well as a place to rendezvous. Peacock planted the Indian banyan in 1895. Today it is 75 feet tall and 150 feet wide. Unfortunately, arboreal experts say the tree is now dying.

Webley Edwards launched a Hawaiian music program called Hawaii Calls from beneath the banyan tree of the Moana Hotel in 1935. Hawaii Calls highlighted Hawaii’s musical entertainers to 600 radio stations and millions of listeners on the mainland and made a number of songs world famous including Sweet Leilani, Beyond the Reef, The Hawaiian Wedding Song, and Lovely Hula Hands.

Moana means the “broad expanse of the sea.” At one time, it was owned by the Territorial Hotel Company, which owned the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, making the two the first family of hotels in the islands.

[Menehune Man]

March 11th, 1959

The U.S. Senate votes 76 - 15 in favor of Statehood for Hawai'i.

[Menehune Man]

March 12th, 1930

Mahatma Gandhi began the "Dandi March", a 24 day, 320-km walk to defy the British tax on salt in colonial India.

So friends, what are we to do about our U.S. tax problem?

Peaceful resistance worked for them, can it for us?

[Menehune Man]

A Fictional Event!

March 15th, 3019 Third Age

The Battle of Pelennor Fields from "The Lord of the Rings".

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields was a battle for the city of Minas Tirith.

Here's a LINK (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Pelennor_Fields)

Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore" is based on this story!
Here's a LINK (www.geocities.com/Athens/2406/battle.html)

[Menehune Man]

Possible Future Event!

March 16th, 2880

Date of potential Earth impact for asteroid (29075) 1950 DA
Here's a LINK (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2829075%29_1950_DA)

[Menehune Man]

March 17th, 1756

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in New York City for the first time at the "Crown and Thistle Tavern".

And we've had alot of fun ever since. :D

[pzarquon]

Twenty-eight years ago today, Eddie Aikau (http://www.surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=740) was lost at sea after attempting to summon help for the Hokulea.

[Menehune Man]

Eddie Aikau

We all think of you Eddie. Thanks Brah!

[Menehune Man]

March 18th, 1922

Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience.

:mad: What a bummer!

[Menehune Man]

March 19th, 1904

The Honolulu Aquarium is formally opened. It is the third oldest aquarium in the U.S. and was made possible by the generousity of Mr. & Mrs. C.M. Cooke and James Castle and the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Co.

[Menehune Man]

March 22nd, 1972

The Hawai'i Legislature ratifies the "Equal Rights Amendment" within 45 minutes of the time it was passed in Congress. Hawai'i was the first state to ratify.

[Menehune Man]

March 23rd, 1968

Both houses of the Hawaii Legislature vote to retain at least 20 acres of Magic Island for public park use under state control. That brought to an end, a long dispute over development. The state had previously planned to auction the parcel to private interests as a commercial park.

So glad they chose that option, eh?! Many a day over all these years, I've enjoyed at Magic Island.

[Menehune Man]

March 24th, 1898

Robert Allison of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania became the first person to buy an American-built automobile when he bought a Winton automobile (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winton_automobile) .

[Menehune Man]

March 25th, 1907

The Territorial Legislature passes an Act establishing the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. It eventually became the College of Hawai'i and then the University of Hawai'i.

Now that's the way fo' Act!

[Menehune Man]

Mount Tambora is a stratovolcano on the Indonesian island of Sambawa and in 1855 it suffered the most violent eruption in modern times . Here's a LINK (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tambora) :eek:

[Menehune Man]

April 16th, 1943

Dr. Albert Hofman discovers the psychedelic effects of LSD.
But it took Timothy Leary to make it popular. :eek:

[Menehune Man]

May 1st, 1978

The first email spam was sent by a DEC marketing representative to every ARPANET address on the west coast of the United States.

The Bastards!

[Pedro]

May 1st, 1978

The first email spam was sent by a DEC marketing representative to every ARPANET address on the west coast of the United States.

The Bastards!

Damn them to Hell, for polluting our emails and now our internet. There's always some one inventing something bad to destroy something good.