Tidbits
August 10, 1846
President James Polk
signs the Smithsonian Act. The Smithsonian is named after James Smithson of Great Britain. Smithson was not well known but he had done yeoman work. As early as age 22 he had discovered zinc carbonate which was named Smithsonite in his honor. His research was in mineralogy, geology, and chemistry.
In his will, Smithson left his money, research papers and mineral collection to his nephew, but only if his nephew had a child or children. Neither Smithson nor his nephew had children. If the nephew had no children, he left the money to the United States of America for the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution for the increase in the diffusion of knowledge.
In 1836, it was determined that upon the death of Smithson’s nephew the money belonged to the United States. President Andrew Jackson sent Richard Rush to negotiate the transfer of funds. Rush brought back 11 boxes containing 104,960 gold sovereigns, 8 schillings and 7 pence, plus Smithson’s personal papers, mineral collection, and other personal effects. When the gold was melted down it was worth over $500,000, a handsome sum in
1836. The Smithsonian Institution is not only the original castle building but also includes the National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoological Park, National Portrait Gallery, and the National Air and Space Museum.
Smithson’s body was
transferred to the Smithsonian and is interred there. I am sure he is overseeing all the many aspects of the Institution that bears his name.
When Smithson left his money to the United States, it caused quite a stir both here and in Europe. James Smithson had never visited the United States.
August 11, 1973
The movie
“American Graffiti” opens in theaters across the nation. This is a nostalgic view of coming of age in 1960s America. I can relate to this film because I was there - so to speak.
August 12,1990
The skeleton of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex is discovered by fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson near Faith, South Dakota. The supposed landowner offered the fossil to the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research for $5000. The problem was that Maurice Williams, the supposed landowner gave the land where the fossil of the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex was found, to the Sioux River Cheyenne tribe, so he did not
have to pay the taxes on the land. After the lawsuits were settled, the ownership of the 65-million-year-old T-Rex was sold at auction to the Field Museum in Chicago, for 8.36 million dollars.
Nicknamed Sue, the T-Rex was something you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley even in Chicago. Sue’s
skull weighs 2000 pounds all by itself. The top of her hips are 13 feet high, and she is 42 feet long. To give you an idea, a highway overpass has to be at least 13 feet, six inches high. Sue was 90 percent intact when she was discovered. She and other dinosaurs had a wish bone, like modern day birds. So, it is theorized that birds are descendants of dinosaurs. The skulls of birds are also similar to dinosaurs. We often think of dinosaurs as being kind of greenish grey creatures, but that may not be true. Scales evolved into feathers. Birds are colorful. So too, might have been
dinosaurs.
The geological period known as the Cretaceous Period is when Sue lived. The climate changed and so did the living things at that time. Climate change happens every day and has for about the last 13.4 billion years.
August 13, 1948
The biggest day for the Berlin Airlift.
The Soviet Union had cut off
Berlin, Germany by rail and by road. Berlin had been divided into 4 sectors, controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin did not want the people in his sector to see how much better the people in other sectors were living. Joseph Stalin was trying to take all of Berlin. The people of Berlin were starving. The United States and
Great Britain decided to fly enough food and other supplies to Berlin to keep them going. On this day, the Berlin Airlift flew over 700 flights into Berlin carrying more than 5000 tons of supplies, including everything from flour to coal. Joseph Stalin gave up after 11 months.
One of the
local guys in the American Legion in Chatsworth, was a mechanic on C-47s and C-54s. They worked around the clock to keep those planes in the air.
August 14, 1784
The Russians establish the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska.
August 15, 1780
Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”, routs British loyalists in South Carolina. Mel Gibson’s role in the movie “The Patriot”, is loosely based on the exploits of Francis Marion.
August 16, 1896
George Carmack along with two Native Americans Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, find gold while fishing in Rabbit Creek in the Canadian Yukon. In the next two years 50,000 gold seekers from the United States, Canada and all parts of the world, descend on Alaska and the Yukon. The gold rush became known as Klondike Fever. One of those gold seekers was a 21-year-old by the name of Jack
London who became famous for writing short stories about the time.
August 18, 1940
The Battle of Britain’s toughest
day.
The outnumbered British defended against the German Luftwaffe. On this day, the Luftwaffe flew 850 sorties, using 2,200 air crews. The British fought back with 927 sorties, but only used 600 air crews. While it was a draw on this day, the Germans were bleeding to death because they were losing so many aircrews and aircraft. Herman Goring and Adolph Hitler decided to attack cities and punish the British people. The Germans were within a few days of wiping out the British Royal Air Force but stopped in time for the British to recover, with more
planes and pilots. By October, the German Luftwaffe stopped bombing British cities.
The ISRA will have a booth at
Conservation World Illinois State Fair
August 10-20 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily
Drop by and join up!
Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair
*****
Sporting Clay Fundraiser for the ISRA
Hosted by Jack Miller of the X-Line Shotgun Club
Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 2 – 6 pm.
Cost is $30 ($15 for targets; $15 for ISRA donation). Hamburger soup and homemade bread, provided by Big Jack! Prizes & split-the-pot raffles. The ISRA would like to thank Jack Miller and X-Line for this help!
X-Line Shotgun Club is located east of
Kankakee, Illinois. The address is 4800 East Exline Road, Kankakee, IL 60921.
At the Range
All classes and events are open to the public & all range members, unless otherwise noted.
*****
Massad Ayoob’s MAG 40 Class
October 5, 6, 7 and 8
Massad Ayoob will be back teaching.
A must-have class!
For every
person concerned about self-defense,
concealed carry license holders, and concealed carry instructors.
Please click here for details on how to sign up.
Don’t wait to sign up – it’ll fill up fast!
Hotels near the ISRA Range
*****
ISRA Smallbore & F-Class Rifle League - Range 5 - 2:00-Dusk August 10
Benchrest League - Range 4 - 8:00-Dusk – August 16
The ISRA Range offers great classes and leagues,
for shooting
enthusiasts!
Interested in joining a league? Just
show up 15 - 30 minutes early.
Range memberships are available.
A day at the ISRA Range is always a great day!
