Birth of Maria Sibylla Merian
Naturalist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian was born on April 2, 1647, in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Merian spent her life studying insects and plants and capturing them in beautifully detailed paintings and drawings.
Science
Goddard’s First Liquid-Fueled Rocket
On March 16, 1926, Robert H. Goddard launched his first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. Though his work went largely unrecognized during his lifetime, today he’s known as the father modern rocketry.
Birth of Liberty Hyde Bailey
Horticulturalist Liberty Hyde Bailey was born on March 15, 1858, in South Haven, Michigan. The gardening and horticulture stamp issued for Bailey’s centennial birthday also marked a significant US postal first!
Happy Birthday, Alice Hamilton
Doctor and research scientist Alice Hamilton was born on February 27, 1869, in Manhattan, New York. Hamilton was a pioneer in the fields of occupational health and industrial toxicology. Her extensive research and thorough reports helped improve working conditions across America.
Happy Birthday Chester Carlson
By the time Carlson was eight years old, both of his parents were sick, which left him responsible with working to support the family. In his teens, he would work two or three hours before school, and then several more hours after classes finished for the day.
Happy Birthday to Margaret Mead
Anthropologist Margaret Mead was born on December 16, 1901, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Death of Enrico Fermi
On November 28, 1954, Nobel physicist Enrico Fermi died in Chicago, Illinois.
Happy Birthday Vilhjalmur Stefansson
Arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson was born on November 3, 1879, in Manitoba, Canada.
The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart during the launch of its 10th mission.