December 20 More than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist regime passes are granted. – 1963. December 21 Samuel Slater’s thread-spinning factory goes into production in Pawtucket, R.I., which launches the Industrial Revolution in America. – 1790.
West Aurora High School this year celebrates 150 years! Alongside the historic feat, School District 129 received what may be one of the school’s oldest artifacts ever donated. A diploma dating back to 1885 was given to the School District by Steve Lee in honor of his brother-in-law, Lambert Kern,
The theme for the 2019 Aurora Historical Society calendar is Police and Fire, and you’ve never seen such heroes. Our archives are a treasure trove of Aurora history, and these photos, span the years 1872 to 1970. They are priceless. Cost is $14.95 plus tax, with a 10% discount to
In the silence of the Holy Night, we hear the church bells ringing and recall some of the best loved songs of Christmas. Last year I wrote of “Silent Night” and its creator, so will not include it in this year’s top 10. However, consider it an extra at number
December 13 During the Sino-Japanese War, Nanking, the capital of China, falls to Japanese forces, and the Chinese government flees. To break the spirit of Chinese resistance the Japanese butchered an estimated 150,000 male so-called war prisoners, massacred an additional 50,000 male civilians, and raped at least 20,000 women and
“Christmas, my child, is love in action.” —Dale Evans Rogers Normally, during the Christmas season in England during the 19th Century, parcels were more lucrative than paying passengers. It was during the reign of William IV, between 1830 and 1837, that coach and inn were meant to take care of
My colleague, Wayne Johnson, occasionally has graced this page with notes on his illustrious film “career.” The Chas never has appeared in a movie, although he always wanted to; but, he, a poor player, has strutted and fretted his hour upon the stage and then was heard no more, to
John Jaros, executive director of the Aurora Historical Society, gives a presentation to members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Tuesday at the Prisco Center in Aurora. In continuous operation since 1906, the Aurora Historical Society is one of the oldest institutions in the Chicagoland area. Jaros showed a slide
December 6 The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery, is ratified: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” –
“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem” —Luke 2:15 Jesus of Nazareth was a First-Century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central leader of Christianity. His birth is celebrated annually December 25. The name Jesus is derived from the Latin Jesus and that from the Greek form of
By Jaelyn Rounds – This year, Grace Holistic Center for Education (GHCFE) middle school students in Yorkville are creating a wall of memorial for Anne Frank’s story and the Holocaust. This will be the wrap-up on the end of a unit lesson. Rather than expressing depressing parts of the time,
November 29 In spite of strong Arab opposition, the United Nations votes for the partition of Palestine and the creation of an independent Jewish state. – 1947 Making good on his most dramatic presidential campaign promise, newly-elected Dwight D. Eisenhower goes to Korea to see whether he can find the
November 14, 2018 Dear editor; I have several cameras that I have used in the past, including a 620 Kodak, and single lens reflex cameras, and a Polaroid. Since the advent of digital photography, I do not believe that any of my heirs will be interested in possessing any of
John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The 35th president of the United States of America. Assassinated in Dallas Texas November 22, 1963, 55 years ago. John Kennedy was born to wealth and privilege, the son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy May 29, 1917. He was given every gift and favored by the gods.
November 22 Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard the pirate, is killed off North Carolina’s Outer Banks during a bloody battle with a British navy force sent from Virginia. – 1718. The district president of the American Federation of Labor and two other white men are shot and killed in Bogalusa,
It was almost Thanksgiving Day and the candy girls working at the J.D. Russell Candy Co. in Peoria were busy. Irene Bartram was in charge of the hand-dipped candy operations in 1945. The boys were coming home from World War II and would request candy boxes for their sweethearts. The
Guest speaker Ray McElroy, team chaplain of the Chicago Bears and former National Football League player, drops the ceremonial coin into the Salvation Army of Aurora bucket in the start of the Red Kettle kickoff. McElroy who played for the Bears, was a defensive back for six seasons for the Indianapolis Colts,
By Miriam Meza – First Fridays continues to thrive at the Aurora Public Library (APL) when this month’s theme was Day of the Dead, which featured the fourth annual ofrenda competition! The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a celebration in Latin America that has become
November 15 U.S. president Jimmy Carter welcomes Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the shah of Iran, and his wife, Empress (or “Shahbanou”) Farrah, to Washington. Over the next two days, Carter and Pahlavi discuss improving relations between the two countries. Two years later, the two leaders’ political fates would be further entwined
The projected mid-term blue wave of the Democratic Party in the U.S. held mixed results, however, it touched Illinois. Democratic Party candidate Lauren Underwood, a first-time candidate, won in the 14th District congressional race over 10-year incumbent and 20-year political representative, Randy Hultgren, Tuesday, Nov. 6. She received 52.1% of
