Birth of Martin Johnson Heade
Artist Martin Johnson Heade was born on August 11, 1819, in Lumberville, Pennsylvania. Heade had the longest career and possibly the most varied body of work of any American painter of the nineteenth century.
This Day in History
Birth of the Smithsonian Institution
After a decade of debates, the Smithsonian Institution was established on August 10, 1846. Nicknamed “the nation’s attic,” it houses more than 154 million items and is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.
Thoreau Publishes Walden
On August 9, 1854, transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau published his most famous work – Walden. It was based on the two years he spent contemplating Transcendentalist philosophy at Walden Pond, Massachusetts.
Graf Zeppelin Begins Round-The-World Journey From New Jersey
On August 8, 1929, the Graf Zeppelin departed the airfield in Lakehurst, New Jersey, to return 21 days later. The popularity of this trip created “Zeppelin Mania” and inspired several later flights.
Birth of Ralph Bunche
Ralph Johnson Bunche was born on August 7, 1904, in Detroit, Michigan.
American Victory at Oriskany
On August 6, 1777, American troops under General Nicholas Herkimer claimed victory at the Battle of Oriskany. The battle sparked a war between the British’s Native American allies and prevented them from reaching Albany.
First Electric Traffic Light
On August 5, 1914, the first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio. It was considered revolutionary at the time, and was soon followed by similar systems in cities around the country.
The Saturday Evening Post
On August 4, 1821, The Saturday Evening Post published its first issue. Once one of the most widely circulated magazines, it is still in publication today.
the American Dental Association
On August 3, 1859, twenty-six dentists met in Niagara Falls, New York at the first meeting of the American Dental Association (ADA).