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Topic: OT - Weird History
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FearlessF · « **Reply #4480 on:** March 03, 2025, 09:39:49 AM »

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

George Bizet's Carmen Premieres in Paris (1875)
Though it is today one of the most popular operas ever written, Carmen was initially met with such scathing reviews that the opera house had to give away tickets to get people to see it. Shortly after its disastrous premiere, its author, Bizet, died of a heart attack and the director of the struggling opera house resigned. Later that year, however, Carmen opened in Vienna to wide acclaim.

medinabuckeye1 · « **Reply #4481 on:** March 03, 2025, 11:47:11 AM »

Quote from: FearlessF on March 03, 2025, 09:10:58 AM

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.

My dad had a friend who lived in Hastings and when we visited for the game we saw some of those buildings.

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4482 on:** March 03, 2025, 11:55:56 AM »

On February 26, 1832, Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) gave his first public concert in Paris in the Salons of Camille Pleyel, rue Cadet in the 9th arrondissement. This recital marked a decisive turning point in the career of the Polish composer, who was seeking to establish himself in the French capital after his arrival in 1831.
Chopin was not yet 22 years old, this concert was his real entry onto the musical scene of the capital. The audience was prestigious: composers such as Franz Liszt and Felix Mendelssohn were there, as well as influential writers and critics. From the first notes, the audience was won over. Chopin impressed with his subtle playing, his fluid virtuosity and his incomparable touch. Unlike other pianists of his time, who relied on power and technical demonstration, Chopin charmed with an intimate and poetic approach to the piano.
This first concert was a real success and launched Chopin's career in Paris. He quickly became one of the most sought-after pianists and composers, frequenting the city's artistic and intellectual elite. However, he gave few public concerts thereafter, preferring private salons such as that of Ary Scheffer at 16 rue Chaptal.

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4483 on:** March 04, 2025, 02:18:19 PM »

You can probably guess for which aircraft these are throttle controls:

847badgerfan · « **Reply #4484 on:** March 04, 2025, 02:19:31 PM »

FearlessF · « **Reply #4485 on:** March 04, 2025, 02:54:24 PM »

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

Charlie Chaplin Is Knighted (1975)
Though he spent most of his career in the US, British-born silent-film legend Charlie Chaplin never applied for citizenship. The US took advantage of this fact in 1952, while Chaplin was overseas, revoking his re-entry permit over his alleged Communist ties. His political leanings, as well as his many affairs with young women, nearly cost him a knighthood, but after decades of debate, he was finally knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

FearlessF · « **Reply #4486 on:** March 05, 2025, 10:13:48 AM »

Homecoming parade downtown, 1946.

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4487 on:** March 06, 2025, 07:11:33 AM »

"The Epic of Gilgamesh" is one of the oldest known pieces of literature, originating from ancient Mesopotamia, specifically from the Sumerian civilization. This epic poem, dating back to around 2100 BCE, follows the adventures of Gilgamesh, the historical king of Uruk, and explores themes such as friendship, the quest for immortality, and the human condition.
The narrative begins with Gilgamesh, who is portrayed as a powerful but tyrannical ruler. The gods create Enkidu, a wild man, to equal Gilgamesh and curb his excesses. The two become close friends after a fierce battle, embarking on various heroic quests together, including the slaying of the monster Humbaba and the killing of the Bull of Heaven sent by the goddess Ishtar.
After Enkidu's death, which results from divine punishment due to their actions, Gilgamesh is devastated. His grief drives him to seek out Utnapishtim, the immortal flood survivor, in search of answers about life and the secret to eternal life. Through his journey, Gilgamesh learns profound lessons about mortality, the importance of friendship, and the legacy one leaves behind.
The epic concludes with Gilgamesh returning to Uruk, where he comes to accept his mortality and the value of being a good king, ultimately realizing that his achievements and contributions to his city will endure beyond his earthly existence.
"The Epic of Gilgamesh" is celebrated not only for its rich storytelling but also for its exploration of timeless themes that resonate with readers across cultures and eras, making it a foundational text in the study of literature and human experience.

FearlessF · « **Reply #4488 on:** March 06, 2025, 09:58:30 AM »

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

Walter Cronkite Signs off CBS Evening News (1981)
During his career as a broadcast journalist, "Uncle Walter," as Cronkite was affectionately known, was identified in public opinion polls as the most trusted man in America. He was managing editor and anchorman of The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite for almost 20 years and covered the first televised US presidential election, the 1969 moon landing, and the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy. In 1981, he signed off for the last time

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4489 on:** March 06, 2025, 11:27:52 AM »

Opened Cincinnati 1929, White Castle. The Krystal emulated it down south.

FearlessF · « **Reply #4490 on:** March 07, 2025, 09:15:21 AM »

THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

Alexander Graham Bell Awarded US Patent for Telephone (1876)
Originally an audiologist, professor, and teacher of the deaf, Bell became interested in the idea of transmitting sound waves by wire when he misread a thesis by a German physicist. He mistakenly believed that the thesis implied such a transmission was possible. It did not, but Bell's idea was sound. Later, he described his mistranslation as a "valuable blunder." Three days after receiving a patent for his device, he spoke the first sentence ever transmitted by telephone.

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4491 on:** March 07, 2025, 09:20:38 AM »

It seems strange to me he'd wait until AFTER the patent was issued to run the experiment. Surely he had tried it in private.

Cincydawg · « **Reply #4492 on:** March 07, 2025, 10:27:59 AM »

On January 1, 1954, during the Cotton Bowl Classic, Rice University's halfback Dicky Maegle (who later changed the spelling of his surname from Moegle) executed a remarkable performance against the University of Alabama. Early in the second quarter, with Rice leading 7–6, Maegle embarked on a 95-yard touchdown run, starting from Rice's own five-yard line. As he sprinted down the sideline adjacent to the Alabama bench, Alabama's fullback and co-captain, Tommy Lewis, unexpectedly left the bench without his helmet and tackled Maegle at the Alabama 42-yard line.
Recognizing the unfairness of this act, referee Cliff Shaw awarded Maegle a 95-yard touchdown. This incident, often referred to as the "12th man tackle," became one of college football's most legendary plays. Maegle concluded the game with three touchdowns, including runs of 79 and 34 yards, amassing a then-record 265 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging 24.1 yards per attempt—a record that still stands in Cotton Bowl history. Rice secured a 28–6 victory.
After the game, both players appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," where Lewis explained his spontaneous action by saying he was "just too full of Alabama."

FearlessF · « **Reply #4493 on:** March 07, 2025, 10:30:33 AM »

there's a weird one for Brutus

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Topic: OT - Weird History

FearlessF

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medinabuckeye1

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847badgerfan

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FearlessF

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FearlessF

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