August 16 While salmon-fishing near the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory, George Carmack reportedly spots nuggets of gold in a creek bed. His lucky discovery sparks the last great gold rush in the American West. News of the gold strike spread fast and over the next two years, as
By John Montesano – The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club has named Bob Mead the August Veteran of the Month. Charles Robert Mead was born April 30, 1940 and was raised in Oswego. At age eight, the family purchased a home in Oswego, the same house that Bob owns and
August 9 Twenty individuals, including at least nine firefighters, are killed in Boston’s worst fire. It consumes 65 downtown acres and 776 buildings in more than 12 hours. – 1872. A second atom bomb is dropped on Japan by the United States, at Nagasaki, resulting finally in Japan’s unconditional surrender.
Last of two parts Following up on the extraordinary life of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, I wanted to learn about his common-law wife, Deborah Read Franklin. How did this woman interest him time and time again, even though separations kept them apart for many years at a time and once
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear. When it comes to relations between the United States and Russia, there aren’t any good guys present. Both countries have been at war, a cold war, to be sure, with each other since the end of World War I. Do you doubt me, dear
A shining example of Aurora’s industrial and artistic history is on display at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield, thanks to the Aurora Historical Society (AHS). It is an ornate silverplate water pitcher made in 1892 and the public can see it while taking free tours of the mansion through the
August 2 Adolf Hitler becomes absolute dictator of Germany under the title of Fuhrer, or “Leader.” The German army took an oath of allegiance to its new commander-in-chief, and the last remnants of Germany’s democratic government were dismantled to make way for Hitler’s Third Reich. – 1934. At about 2
Progressive Baptist Church gospel singers in Aurora entertain Saturday in a free concert during the three-day 30-year anniversary of Reverend Robert Wesby’s death. See Carter Crane’s article here. Jason Crane/The Voice
The status of the old jail building in Yorkville remains in limbo, following the United City of Yorkville City Council meeting Tuesday. A discussion was held for more than an hour with groups holding opposing views, one in favor of keeping the building, renovating it, and using it for the
By Carter Crane – The three-day, 30-year, memorial celebration of Reverend Robert Wesby’s death was a success by all accounts. Reverend Wesby was the minister of Progressive Baptist Church in Aurora, a civil rights leader, and marched with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. The three days included a banquet
Last week the Fox Valley Trolley Museum in South Elgin was vandalized by two minors and there was $110,000 in damage to eight cars. The museum has created a GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/fox-river-trolley-museum, for those who are willing or wish to make donations to help cover the costs of these repairs.
First of two parts The more I read about Benjamin Franklin, the more outstanding he becomes. How could one man have done so much? I stood at his gravesite in Philadelphia and paused to wonder, once again, how extraordinary he was. No one today compares to his astounding and accomplished
If I tell you to meet me on the third floor of The DLP, and you don’t ask for clarification, you probably are an Aurora downtown regular. For those less frequent downtown visitors, let me explain. We have some amazing hidden gems in downtown Aurora, and I quickly could rattle
Yorkville resident James Weilandt, 5, decorates his clay Norwegian troll model during a “How to be a Viking” camp July 16, 18, 20 at Yorkville Public Library. Montgomery and Norway, Ill. Sons of Norway fraternal benefit lodges sponsored the fourth annual camp. Library had Norwegian stories, crafts, games, music, and
July 26 The U.S. Postal Service is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin put in place the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system. – 1775. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is created when U.S. attorney general Charles Bonaparte
Dressed in traditional Ojibwa regalia, author Kim Sigafus McIver shares her knowledge of many aspects of Native American cultures at the Santori Library of Aurora Tuesday. She discusses Native people who lived in Illinois in the 1800s and their traditions. She described Native American foodways, including the planting of the three
There will be a celebration Friday through Sunday of the life and good works of the late Reverend Robert Wesby of Aurora. It has been 30 years since his untimely death and a strong group, 14 committee members, of the Progressive Baptist Church in Aurora, will bring to life what
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” —Battle Hymn of the Republic Julia Ward Howe was an American poet and author, best known for writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” She was an advocate for abolitionism and a social activist particularly for women’s suffrage.
The Aurora Historical Society (AHS) will throw a party from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to highlight the extension of its Summer exhibit, “Ethnicity and Diversity in Aurora, 1834-Present” through the middle of August. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Music will be provided by The Internationals, an
July 19 During Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign, a French soldier discovers a black basalt slab inscribed with ancient writing near the town of Rosetta, about 35 miles north of Alexandria. The irregularly-shaped stone contained fragments of passages written in three different scripts: Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Egyptian demotic. The ancient
