Today in History

[digitS']

24 January 1848

– James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento.

The result is the California Gold Rush.

 

[flowerbug]

at current price nearing 5,000 USD/oz for gold it is making more people consider taking up the prospecting hobby. my Dad for many years wanted to go do it in Alaska. i don't even know if he ever picked up a pan... i've done a little bit many many years ago. i like playing in the water, but i really prefer to play in warm water. Alaska, nope, not gonna... brrr!

 

[Dahlia]

24 January 1848

– James W. Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento.

The result is the California Gold Rush.

I enjoy reading the "On this day" history facts! Thx for sharing

 

[digitS']

Sixty-seven years ago today: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper and the pilot of their small airplane died when their plane went down in an Iowa cornfield. Here is a poster of the event where they performed the night before. In the Crickets band at the time, Waylon Jennings lost the chance for the plane ride based on the flip of a coin, we are told.

Yesterday, I used Google street view to look at the area and the simple memorial where the crash occurred.

 

[Alasgun]

That would have been about a week before i turned 8 but i still came to appreciate the music of those early bands, and still do!

So much so that i named my 55gal compost tea brewer “the Big Bopper” due to the rhythmic beat it emits when brewing a batch. Powered by a large regenerative blower, pushing all that air up thru a barrel full of water makes a sound that would surprise you!

Mike

 

[digitS']

On 7 February 1800, a public referendum confirmed the new French constitution. It vested all of the real power in the hands of the First Consul, Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, Napoleon would declare himself emporer.

I didn't realize the extent of the connection between the Bonaparte and the US. Napoleon was important for the the decision to sell the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. But, the connection continued. With his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon intended to escape to N America, it is believed. The British fleet prevented that and sent him off to St Helena Island.

His brother Joseph Bonaparte escaped and, from 1815, lived out most of the remainder of his life in the US. He had a large mansion built in New Jersey — Point Breeze.