From left to right: Sir Hugh Beaver, the first Guinness World Records book, Ross and Norris McWhirter, Norris McWhirte today.

On August 27, 1955, the first edition of “The Guinness Book of Records” is published in Great Britain; it quickly proves to be a hit. Now known as the “Guinness World Records” book, the annual publication features a wide
range of feats related to humans and animals.

The inspiration for the record book can be traced to November 1951, when
Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery (founded in
Dublin in 1759), was on a hunting trip in Ireland. After failing to shoot a
golden plover, Beaver and the members of his hunting party debated
whether the creature was Europe’s fastest game bird but were unable
to locate a book with the answer.

Thinking that patrons of Britain’s pubs would enjoy a record book which
could be used to settle friendly disagreements, Beaver decided to have
one produced. He hired twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, the
founders of a London-based agency that provided facts and statistics
to newspapers and advertisers.

The fastest game bird is the golden plover (below), in case you were
wondering!

Henry Bloch in 1945 with the Army Air
Corps as a navigator on B-17 bombers.

Henry Wollman Bloch (July 30, 1922 – April 23, 2019)

 
Henry Bloch (right) with brother Richard.

TIM MAGUIRE

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Cleveland on this day in 1886. The statue weighs 225 tons and is 152
feet tall. It was originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World."

William Henry Gates III is 63 years old today.

Business magnate, investor, author, philanthropist, humanitarian, and
principal founder of Microsoft Corporation. During his career at Microsoft,
Gates held the positions of chairman, CEO and chief software architect,
while also being the largest individual shareholder until May 2014. He
stepped down as chairman of Microsoft in February 2014 and assumed
a new post as technology adviser to support the newly appointed CEO
Satya Nadella.

Julia Fiona Roberts is 51 years young today.

Julia Roberts gained fame after starring in Pretty Woman 1990 and went
on to win an Oscar for her leading role in Erin Brockovich in 2000.

It was on this day in 2005.

On this day in 1996, President Bill Clinton signed legislation that ended guaranteed cash payments to the poor and demanded work 
from recipients.
   

     Assonated on this day in 1989.

Ray Douglas Bradbury (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012)

Ray Bradbury was an American author and screenwriter. He worked
in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror and
mystery fiction.

Widely known for his novel Fahrenheit 451 (1953), and his science
fiction and horror story collections The Martian Chronicles (1950),
and The Illustrated Man (1951).