45 years ago, May 18, 1980: the big eruption of Mt St Helens. It started with the biggest landslide in recorded history as the northeast side of the mountain slid away. That uncorked the gas-pressurized magma inside the mountain that exploded without the weight holding it down. An 8 hour eruption killed 57, flattened forests and sent mudflows downstream. Volcanologists learned a lot from it. USGS article about the eruption: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mount-st.-helens/science/1980-cataclysmic-eruption #MSH45 #volcano #geology #PNW #history #TDIH

ICYMI: On this day in 1861: The American #CivilWar officially began when President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the southern rebellion.

️ The military laid more than 24,000 km (~15,000 mi) of telegraph wire across battlefields, creating a network that transmitted news almost instantly from the front lines to an office near the White House. Lincoln became America's first "wired president," regularly reading incoming "lightning messages" and sleeping at the telegraph office during pivotal battles.

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/how-did-the-telegraph-help-win-the-american-civil-war?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tdih&utm_content=civil_war_telegraph

On this day in 1861: The American #CivilWar officially began when President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the southern rebellion.

️ The military laid more than 24,000 km (~15,000 mi) of telegraph wire across battlefields, creating a network that transmitted news almost instantly from the front lines to an office near the White House. Lincoln became America's first "wired president," regularly reading incoming "lightning messages" and sleeping at the telegraph office during pivotal battles.

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/how-did-the-telegraph-help-win-the-american-civil-war?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tdih&utm_content=civil_war_telegraph

On this day in 1967: Tony Hawk was born, starting on a path that would transform #skateboarding from niche activity to global cultural phenomenon. After making history by landing the first 900º aerial spin in 1999, Hawk continued pushing boundaries throughout his career. This #video captures him attempting this physically demanding trick again at the young age of 48.

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/tony-hawk-goes-for-the-900-at-48-years-old?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tdih&utm_content=tony_hawk_900

On this day in 1899: Duke Ellington, the groundbreaking #jazz composer and bandleader who wrote over 1,000 compositions, was born in #Washington, D.C.

His 1931 composition "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" was revolutionary for introducing the term "swing" into everyday language, predating the actual Swing Era by three years. Don't miss his historical 1965 performance with Ella Fitzgerald on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/SMoEm

Happy Birthday, Ella Fitzgerald!

Born on this day in 1917, Ella Fitzgerald wasn't just a jazz singer—she was a musical innovator who inspired the creation of TKSST. In fact, our very first post back in 2011 celebrated her scatting performance at the Montreux #Jazz Festival!

Learn more: https://zurl.co/eoKMM

On this day in 1990: The Hubble Space Telescope launched, revolutionizing our view of the cosmos despite a famously flawed mirror. When first images came back blurry, #NASA discovered the primary mirror was too flat by just 25.4 nanometers. After a dramatic 1993 repair mission, Hubble began capturing the #space imagery that has changed our understanding of the #universe.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/25rMM

On this day in 1564: William #Shakespeare, whose works are still actively reinterpreted, was born. Even Sesame Street got in on the fun with a 1996 parody featuring Patrick Stewart intensely contemplating the letter B in the style of Hamlet's "to be or not to be" soliloquy.

Is it really the second letter? With dramatic flair, Stewart examines its shape to determine if B, or not a B.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/jUxqq

On this day in 1970: Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a nationwide teach-in that became #EarthDay, aiming to educate millions on #pollution and #conservation. The event marked a turning point in environmental awareness and reflects how collective action fosters long-term change.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/pVVDp

This Day in #History: John Muir, Father of National Parks

On this day in 1838, John Muir was born in #Scotland. This pioneering naturalist's camping trip with Pres. Theodore Roosevelt in #Yosemite in 1903 helped save the valley from development and strengthened the movement to protect America's natural treasures.

If you've ever visited Northern #California, you've encountered Muir's name on trails, forests, and landmarks—a testament to his enduring legacy in #conservation that continues to influence efforts balancing public access with ecological #preservation across America's 421 national park sites.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/6gdTt

On this day in 1906: The #SanFrancisco #earthquake struck with devastating force, changing our understanding of seismic activity and launching new scientific inquiries. Yet even with today's advanced #technology, accurately predicting earthquakes remains one of #science's most persistent challenges.

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/why-are-earthquakes-so-hard-to-predict

Happy Birthday, Charlie Chaplin! Born on April 16, 1889, he captivated audiences with his creativity and humor. In this memorable clip from his 1928 silent film The Circus, the iconic Little Tramp cleverly escapes the police in a hall of mirrors, showcasing Chaplin's innovative filmmaking. This classic marks his first Academy Award and his last silent film.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/tWriz

On this day in 1912: The RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic.

James Cameron and National Geographic created CGI #animation showing how they believe the Titanic sank and reached the #ocean floor, explaining the #physics of how it broke in half from stress and hit bottom.

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/titanic-cgi-animation-video

On this day in 1959: NASA's Mercury Seven astronauts were introduced to the world.

It not only marked the beginning of America's space exploration efforts but also inspired countless others to reach for the stars.

We've got dozens of astronaut videos: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/?s=astronauts

On this day in 1968: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and powerful oratory continue to inspire. Did you know his iconic "dream" section was improvised after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson called out during his speech?

Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/martin-luther-king-jr-remembered

A pulsar is a rotating neutron star that emits electromagnetic radiation in regular pulses. The radiation can be in the form of radio waves, x-rays, and gamma rays
#OTD #TDIH #Jan20

1969 – The first pulsar is discovered, in the Crab Nebula.

#Pulsar #Nebula #Science #History #DistractingStuff
https://www.snexplores.org/article/scientists-say-pulsar-definition-pronunciation

This Day In History #TDIH #OTD #Music #Jan20

1971 - Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” single was released.
#NowPlaying #NSR #MarvinGaye #DistractingStuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-kA3UtBj4M

Before January 17 is over in my time zone, I should point out today has two historic #earthquake anniversaries:
* Northridge M6.7 in California https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Northridge_earthquake
* Kobe M6.9 in Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hanshin_earthquake

Lessons in modern construction learned from both. Apartments above ground-level garages (soft 1st story) have extra bracing after Northridge. Bridges/viaducts held by pairs of columns learned from a single-column expressway viaduct that toppled in Kobe.
#quake #geology #history #TDIH