August 29 Atahuallpa, the 13th and last emperor of the Incas, dies by strangulation at the hands of Francisco Pizarro’s Spanish conquistadors. The execution of Atahuallpa, the last free reigning emperor, marked the end of 300 years of Inca civilization. – 1533. At a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in
By Ricky Rieckert This week, I will finish up with North Lake Street in Aurora. On the northwest corner of North Lake Street and Indian Trail, on the corner, was Ed Fanning Chevrolet car dealership. Set back, in a strip mall, was Gaylord’s Department Store. It then became a Jewel
August 22 The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick of Armies in the Field is adopted by 12 nations meeting in Geneva. The agreement calls for non-partisan care to the sick and wounded in times of war and provided for the
By Ricky Rieckert This week, we start at Illinois Avenue and North Lake Street in Aurora. At the northeast corner was Golden Bear Restaurant. I remember going there at midnight, with a couple of friends on a Friday night. There was a waiting list, to be seated. One friend, gave
August 15 The American-built waterway across the Isthmus of Panama, to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is inaugurated with the passage of the U.S. vessel Ancon, a cargo and passenger ship. – 1914. Emperor Hirohito broadcasts the news of Japan’s surrender to the Japanese people. In Japan’s Shinto religious
By Ricky Rieckert Welcome readers; This week, we continue on South Lake Street in Aurora, where Arnold Avenue runs East and Jericho Road runs West. A block away, on the west side of the street, I believe originally was a Gas Station. It then became a hot dog and sandwich
August 8 President Harry S Truman signs the United Nations Charter and the United States becomes the first nation to complete the ratification process and join the new international organization. – 1945. August 9 A second atom bomb is dropped on Japan by the United States, at Nagasaki, resulting finally
By Al Benson Dolores Theodore of Aurora, a Burlington Railroad queen in 1959, was in the spotlight again Sunday, July 28. Theodore was among 70 guests at an Aurora Historical Society (AHS) banquet saluting the Burlington Railroad’s 175th anniversary at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. After John Jaros, AHS executive
August 1 Four days after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, two more great European powers, Russia and Germany, declare war on each other; the same day, France orders a general mobilization. The so-called Great War that ensued would be one of unprecedented destruction and loss of life, resulting in the
The Oswegoland Heritage Association, the Oswegoland Park District, and the Little White School Museum are partners to offer two entertaining local history programs in early August. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, those 21 and older are invited to the latest “History Happy Hour at Christina’s.” No
By Ricky Rieckert Last week we made it to Lake Street in Aurora in the recapture of businesses in Aurora in past years. Just one-half block from Lake Street, on West New York Street, on the south side, was another Prince Castle restaurant with burger and one-in-a million shakes. South
July 25 Workers stage a general strike, believed to be the Nation’s first, in St. Louis, in support of striking railroad workers. The successful strike was ended when approximately 3,000 federal troops and 5,000 deputized special police kill at least 18 individuals in skirmishes around the city. – 1877. Louise
By Bela “Bill” Suhayda “To the victor go the spoils” is a factual statement. “Winners write the history” is just as true. So when we want to know what has transpired throughout history, we need to hear from all who lived it, not just the winners. We should examine every
The Aurora Historical Society is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Burlington Railroad with a special exhibit at its downtown museum and a banquet at the roundhouse. The exhibit is currently at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer in downtown Aurora. It features dozens of
July 18 A fire erupts in Rome and spreads rapidly throughout the market area in the center of the city. When the flames finally die out more than a week later, nearly two-thirds of Rome is destroyed. Emperor Nero used the fire as an opportunity to rebuild Rome in a
July 11 On this day in 1916, in a ceremony at the White House, president Woodrow Wilson signs the Federal Aid Road Act. The law established a national policy of federal aid for highways. – 1916. Fulfilling agreements reached at various war-time conferences, the Soviet Union promises to hand power
Have you ever wondered about the fascinating life your house may have led before you were the occupant? Who planted the roses in the front yard? What caused that large scratch across the floor? Part of the charm of living in a historic home is celebrating the history of the
July 4 In Philadelphia, Pa., the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts
June 27 The Germans set up two-way radio communication in a newly-occupied French territory and employ their most sophisticated coding machine, Enigma. – 1940. U.S. president Harry S Truman announces that he is ordering U.S. air and naval forces to South Korea to aid the democratic nation in repulsing an
