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TODAY'S BIRTHDAY: 

Linus Carl Pauling (1901)
An American chemist, Pauling was the first person to win two unshared Nobel Prizes: one for chemistry in 1954 and one for peace in 1962. He was one of the first to study molecular structure using quantum mechanics, and he made discoveries in biochemistry and medicine. In the 1950s, he became concerned about nuclear weapons testing and radioactive fallout and wrote an appeal—signed by thousands of scientists—to halt such tests.

I remember all of those very well

guess that makes me a historian
or just old

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 
Yellowstone National Park Established (1872)
Before Ferdinand Hayden's extensive geological exploration of the Yellowstone area in 1871, many doubted the stories of prior European explorers describing a remarkable landscape dotted with geysers and boiling springs. Paintings and photographs from Hayden's expedition helped convince Congress to make Yellowstone the US's first national park, and it now draws millions of visitors each year.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY: 

Samuel Houston (1793)
Houston was an American statesman whose political future was seemingly derailed after his wife left him in 1829. He resigned the governorship of Tennessee, began drinking heavily, and went to live with the Cherokee. Later, he joined the Texas Revolution and became commander of the revolutionary forces. He led them to victory and was elected president of the new Republic of Texas. After Texas joined the US, he served the state first as a senator and then as governor.

that's a good sized tiny village in these parts
silly europeans

Today, 2nd April 748 saw the birth of one of the most successful leaders in European history, CHARLEMAGNE. Son of Pepin the Short, and grandson of Charles Martel, he came from a line of pedigree warrior leaders who between them carved out modern day France. He initially co-ruled with his brother Carloman, as was the Franks custom of inheritance,  but after his brother's death he became sole ruler of the Franks.  

His full range of titles kept extending as he used his political and military skills to increase his Empire, which at its peak stretched across all of France, down to northern Spain, east into Saxony and Bavaria, and south into large parts of Italy. It was the largest European empire since the height of Roman rule. Starting as King Charles I of the Franks (768-814), King of the Lombards (774-814), and Holy Roman Emperor (800-814). The latter title being created and bestowed upon him (without any legal authority) by the Pope, some say as a thank you for previous military protection, others suggest in recognition of Charlemagne's crusader like passion to protect and expand Christianity throughout his Empire, although sometimes by horrific methods such as his famous massacre of 3,500 Saxons overs a 24 hour period after they refused to convert to the cross.
 
It would be his insistence in continuing the tradition of sharing rule amongst sons that would bring the Empire to its end. His numerous sons would fight amongst themselves and the Empire break up into France, Italy and German states and the title of Holy Roman Emperor disappear for several generations until Otto I of Saxony would once again prove worthy of the rank.

At one point in World War II, nearly 40% of the U.S. Navy’s ordnance was produced in Hastings.

In July 1942, construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot (NAD) in Hastings began at a cost of $45 million. The 2,000 building, 48,753-acre facility was commissioned just eight months later in February 1943. The first ammunition shipment was made on an auspicious date: July 4, 1943—Independence Day.
Being served by three major railroads enabled shipment to either coast in just two days. Add an abundant supply of underground water, cheap utilities and a stable workforce, and it’s easy to see why the NAD in Hastings was the U.S. Navy’s largest munitions plant from 1942-46.

https://www.visithastingsnebraska.com/assets/site/web/documents/Final%20NAD%20Brochure.pdf

A tremendous explosion on September 15, 1944, killed nine and injured 53. Caused by human error during train loading, the blast was felt 100 miles away in Lincoln, shattered windows in Hastings, and collapsed a school room in Harvard. There were three other loss-of-life explosions during 1944 as well, claiming an additional 12 lives.

Following the end of World War II, the Navy began to deactivate the facility. But the outbreak of the Korean War reactivated the depot in 1950, though not to the extent of its role in WWII. Still, 200 buildings were added. The facility was used for ordnance manufacturing storage until June 1966, when the facility was officially decommissioned.