Early neolithic salt production, approximately 6,000 BCE, has been identified at an excavation in Romania. Solnitsata, the earliest known town in Europe, was built around a salt production facility. In present-day Bulgaria, in southeeast Europe, the town is thought by archaeologists to have accumulated wealth by supplying salt throughout the
Chapel on the Green, near downtown Yorkville, will honor a substantial donation from the late Elmer Dickson during an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25. Visitors can tour the building, a former church open to perform wedding services, and a community building, and enjoy refreshments
“In the hidden reaches where memory probes, lie sorrows too deep to fathom.” —Consuelo Vanderbilt Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt had course manners, and he chewed tobacco. He could barely read. He was proud of his lack of refinement. He was a rascal, combative, and cunning. He was a builder, shrewd and
Mary Clark Ormond, president of the Aurora Historical Society, looks at the storage space for smoking materials hidden in the armrest of a gentleman’s Victorian-era smoking chair, which is ornamented with carvings of smoking dogs.
September 15 The Battle of Britain reaches its climax when the Royal Air Force (RAF) shoots down 56 invading German aircraft in two dogfights lasting less than an hour. The costly raid convinced the German high command that the Luftwaffe could not achieve air supremacy over Britain. – 1940. During
“What a mass of happiness had we travelled over.” —Thomas Jefferson, 1786 Thomas Jefferson sailed for France July 5, 1784 as commissioner and minister. His daughter Patsy, 12, found the sea voyage delightful. “There was a fine sunshine all the way with the sea as calm as a river,” she
September 8 One of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history hits Galveston, Texas and kills more than 6,000 persons. The storm caused so much destruction on the Texas coast that reliable estimates of the number of victims are difficult to make. Some think that as many as 12,000 perished, which
Clementine Hozier was all ready eating her chicken at a 1908 dinner party given by Lady St. Helier in Mayfair when Winston Churchill arrived late. Churchill became entirely absorbed by Clementine and paid her such marked and exclusive attention. He had never before met a fashionable young woman at a
The end of Summer means back to school, cooler weather, and of course, Chicago Bears football! Whether you follow the team or not, there’s no escaping the intensity of devoted Chicago Bears’ fans. The Bears inspire strong emotions in their fans, and rivals, which is why the Aurora Public Library
Did you know northern Illinois was once home to “The World’s Shortest Railroad”? Find out all about this bit of rail transportation trivia when the Oswegoland Heritage Association hosts author Jeff Kehoe and a presentation on his latest book for Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of Rail” series, Illinois Midland Railway Saturday,
September 1 At 4:45 a.m., 1.5 million German troops invade Poland all along its 1,750-mile border with German-controlled territory. Simultaneously, the German Luftwaffe bombs Polish airfields, and German warships and U-boats attack Polish naval forces. – 1939. The federal minimum wage is increased to $5.15 per hour. – 1997. September
“I am alive. I am strong. I have awakened.” —Herodotus The Greek historian Herodotus, 5th Century B.C., wrote “The Egyptians in their manners and customs have women attend market and are employed in its trade, while men stay at home and do the weaving.” In his travels, Herodotus was accustomed
August 18 The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee women the right to vote, is ratified by Tennessee, for a two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land. – 1920. The Yangtze River in China peaks during a horrible flood that kills
You’re an old-timer in Aurora if you: Were a member of the Tom-a-Hawk Club. Ate a meal at Barefoot Charlie’s (the best steaks in town!). Drag-raced on North Lake Street. Know that there was a West Aurora North High School. Drank a soda at Shaffer’s Pharmacy. Shot a few billiards
August 11 One hundred platform men employed by the privately owned United Railroads streetcar service in San Francisco abandon their streetcars which ties up many of the main lines in and out of the city center. – 1917. A group of federal prisoners classified as “most dangerous” arrives at Alcatraz
“To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny, or delay, right, or justice.” Clause 40 In 1206 King John renewed his war with France causing him to lose the duchies of Normandy and Anjou among other territories. A feud with Pope Innocent III began in 1208
“I was born for a storm. And a calm does not suit me.” —Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson was born in the colonial Carolinas March 15, 1767 and was an American lawyer, general, and statesman, who served as the seventh president of the United States, 1829 to 1837. Jackson had gained
July 28 Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S. states, the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing to African Americans citizenship and all its privileges, is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. – 1868. A United States military plane crashes into the Empire State Building and kills 14. The freak accident
“You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best you have to give.” —Eleanor Roosevelt When her name is spoken, so many images come to mind. How one person can accomplish what Eleanor Roosevelt did is amazing
July 21 In the first major land battle of the Civil War, a large Union force of 34,000 soldiers under General Irvin McDowell is routed by a Confederate army of approximately 29,000 men under General Pierre G.T. Beauregard. – 1861. A die-cast operator in Jackson, Mich. is pinned by a
