Friday, May 7, 2010

Cell phones

The first working cell phones began in 1947 when researchers developed two-way over the air radio transmission using cell towers. The Federal Communications Commission was reluctant to open the necessary cellular phone frequencies for commercial use. The first commercial cell phone service in the U.S. was offered in Chicago in 1983, thirty-seven years after its development.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010

The four-minute mile

English runner Roger Bannister broke the widely-held assumption that it was impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes. He became the first to do this when he ran a mile in 3.594 minutes in Oxford on the May 6, 1954. In addition to being a skilled runner, Bannister used his knowledge as a physician to research the mechanical aspects of running and to develop scientific training methods.
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Carnegie Hall

Andrew Carnegie laid the first ceremonial cornerstone in 1890 on what would become the most famous concert hall in the world. The "Music Hall" officially opened on May 5, 1891 with a concert conducted by Walter Damrosch and composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The building was renamed Carnegie Hall in 1893. Carnegie Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Oldsmobile

The first factory specifically set up to manufacture automobiles in the United States was built by the Olds Motor Works in 1899 on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. By 1901, the Oldsmobile became the first American car to be manufactured in quantity. The Olds Motor Vehicle Company was established in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds.
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Monday, May 3, 2010

The White House

The construction of The White House took place over a period of eight years, from October 13, 1792 to November 1, 1800. President John Adams was the first U.S. President to reside in the White House. The newly constructed building was referred to as the "President's Palace," "Presidential Mansion," and "President's House," until 1811 when the term "White House" was first used.
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Sunday, May 2, 2010

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is considered by many to have been the greatest writer the English language has ever known. Between 1586 and 1612 Shakespeare wrote nearly 40 plays, 154 sonnets, and a variety of poems. He authored his first play at the age of twenty-five titled "Henry VI, Part One," the first in series four plays often referred to as "The Wars of the Roses."
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Saturday, May 1, 2010

The North Pole

Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura was the first person to reach the North Pole alone. Naomi reached the North Pole on May 1, 1978, after a harrowing 57 day trip. Naomi almost gave up twice during the quest. Once, after he and his dog team survived an attack by a polar bear. The second when they became stranded on a floating island of ice. Naomi is world famous for his solo adventures.
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