‘History’ Archives
January Star-Night at the LTO
Public Star Night at the Little Thompson Observatory Friday, January 18, 2013 - 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. 850 Spartan Ave at Berthoud High School Park east of the high school; directions are posted on the website, www.starkids.org The guest speaker is Bryan White, known from past years for his great 3-D comet slide show as well as an out of this world Aurora Borealis show. Bryan White will be selecting Aurora pictures from 2002, 2004, and 2006. He thought it would be interesting for people to see ... Full Story
Star Night at the LTO
Friday, September 21, 2012 7:30 – 11:00 PM Public Star Night at the Little Thompson Observatory, 850 Spartan Ave at Berthoud High School (park east of the high school; directions are posted on our website, www.starkids.org). Our speakers for this evening will be Drs. Irene and Steve Little of Estes Park. The title of their talk will be “2012 - Doomsday or Hoax?” According to the Long Count Mayan calendar, on Dec 21, 2012 the 13th Baktun ends (and a new one ... Full Story
On This Day, December 29, 1890
U.S. Army massacres Indians at Wounded Knee On this day in 1890, in the final chapter of America's long Indian wars, the U.S. Cavalry kills 146 Sioux at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. Throughout 1890, the U.S. government worried about the increasing influence at Pine Ridge of the Ghost Dance spiritual movement, which taught that Indians had been defeated and confined to reservations because they had angered the gods by abandoning their ... Full Story
On This Day: December 27, 1941
Office of Price Administration begins to ration automobile tires On this day in 1941, the federal Office of Price Administration initiates its first rationing program in support of the American effort in World War II: It mandates that from that day on, no driver will be permitted to own more than five automobile tires. President Roosevelt established the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply in April 1941 to "stabilize prices and rents and prevent unwarranted increases in ... Full Story
On This Day: December 26, 1610
Bathory's torturous escapades are exposed On this day in 1609 or 1610 (sources are not conclusive), Count Gyorgy Thurzo makes an investigative visit to Csejthe Castle in Hungary on orders from King Matthias and discovers Countess Elizabeth Bathory directing a torture session of young girls. Bathory was already infamous in the area for her torture and murder of servants and peasants, but her title and high-ranking relatives had, until this point, made her untouchable. Her bloodthirsty ... Full Story
On This Day, December 25, 1776
Washington crosses the Delaware During the American Revolution, Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington's army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region. At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington's army ... Full Story
On This Day: December 24, 1979
Soviet tanks roll into Afghanistan On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. As midnight approached, the Soviets organized a massive military airlift into Kabul, involving an estimated 280 transport aircraft and three divisions of almost 8,500 men each. Within a few days, the Soviets had secured Kabul, deploying a special assault unit against Tajberg Palace. Elements of the Afghan army loyal to ... Full Story
On This Day, December 23, 1982
Road contamination prompts evacuation of Times Beach On this day in 1982, the Missouri Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) inform residents of Times Beach, Missouri that their town was contaminated when the chemical dioxin was sprayed on its unpaved roads, and that the town will have to be evacuated and demolished. By February, the federal and state governments had spent $36 million to buy every house in town except one (its owners, lifelong residents ... Full Story
On This Day, December 22, 1775
Continental Congress creates a Continental Navy On Friday, December 22, 1775, the Continental Congress creates a Continental Navy, naming Esek Hopkins, Esq., as commander in chief of the fleet. Congress also named four captains to the new service: Dudley Saltonstall, Abraham Whipple, Nicholas Biddle and John Burrows Hopkins. Their respective vessels, the Alfred, Columbus, Andrew Doria and Cabot, became the first ships of the Navy's fleet. Five first lieutenants, including future ... Full Story
