Eileen Collins ride to the stars

February 3, 1995 –Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 is launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. STS-63 was the second mission of the US/Russian Shuttle-Mir Program, which carried out the first rendezvous of the American Space Shuttle with Russia’s space station Mir. In July 1999,Continue reading “Eileen Collins ride to the stars”

Did you write the book of love?

February 3, 1959 –The Day the Music Died: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were on a tour called “Winter Dance Party” tour. The musicians were traveling from venue to venue on tour buses. A small plane carrying The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Buddy Holly and Richie Valens crashed near Mason City, Iowa,Continue reading “Did you write the book of love?”

Maybe he should have stayed at the Zoo

February 3, 1882 – P.T. Barnum purchased the elephant Jumbo on this date. He kept him for three years until the animal’s skull was crushed by a train. After his death, Jumbo’s skeleton was donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The elephant’s heart was sold to Cornell University. Jumbo’sContinue reading “Maybe he should have stayed at the Zoo”

The third iteration of GCT opened

February 2, 1913 –The new Beaux-Arts style Grand Central Terminal in New York City opened on this date. The cost to construct Grand Central Terminal was a staggering $43 million. The price was offset by the sale of “air rights” over the enclosed facility. Many majestic buildings were constructed including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. ForContinue reading “The third iteration of GCT opened”