Geraldyn (Jerrie) M. Cobb (March 5, 1931 – March 18, 2019)

(Fox News) – According to reports, America’s first female
astronaut candidate who pushed for women in space but
never reached its heights has died at 88. Pilot Jerrie Cobb
died in Florida on March 18 following a brief illness.

Female astronaut Jerrie Cobb going over preparations for high
altitude flight.

ED DONAHUE

On this day in 1906, San Francisco, CA, was hit with a massive
earthquake. The original death toll was cited at about 700. Later 
information indicated that the death toll may have been three to
four times the original estimate. 

DAVID MELENDY

On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 returned to Earth safely after an on-
board accident with an oxygen tank.

The Apollo 13 crew following recovery.

DAVID MELENDY

In Texas City, TX, on this day in 1947, the French ship
Grandcamp, carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer,
caught fire and blew up. The explosions and resulting
fires killed 576 people.

Rescue workers search for survivors at the Texas City
Terminal Building after disaster.

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin ( April 16, 1889 – December 25, 1977)

Chaplin was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose
to fame in the era of silent film.

The Tramp

(Fox News) – A replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster from the classic
1985 comedy film “Vacation” was auctioned this past weekend for $100,100.

The wood-paneled green machine crossed the block at the Barrett-Jackson
Palm Beach event.

It’s based on a 1981 Ford LTD rather than a 1979 Country Squire, like the
movie car was, but is an otherwise convincing recreation that includes
Wagon Queen badging and offensive graffiti on the rear fender.

The price paid was pretty remarkable, considering a car purported to be one
of the five that were built for the film received a high bid of just $35,000 at a
2013 Mecum Auctions event. That car’s authenticity was not confirmed, but
one that was definitely used in the making of the movie is on display at the
Historic Auto Attractions museum in Roscoe, Ill., which might make for a
good destination for the owner of the Barrett-Jackson car.