The Washington Monument was officially dedicated in Washington,
DC. on this day in 1885. It opened to the public in 1889.

Artist’s rendering of the capstone being placed by
hand on the top of the Washington Monument. It
was the tallest building in the world at the time of
its completion in 1884, standing 555 feet, 5.125
inches.

NOTE:  The Washington Monument is closed until spring 2019. The National Park Service is modernizing the elevator to increase long
term reliability.

TIM MAGUIRE

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor on this day in1886 by
U.S. President Cleveland. The statue weighs 225 tons and is 152 feet tall. It was originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World."

Benito Mussolini took control of the Italian government and introduced fascism
to Italy on this day in 1922.

On this day in 1962, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev informed the U.S. that he
had ordered the dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba.

Microsoft co-founder William Henry Gates III is 62 years old today.

Bill Gates has helped Microsoft become one of the most successful companies in
history. Forbes ranked him the wealthiest person in the world from 1995 to 2009.

He reportedly hacked into his high school’s computer system to make sure there
would be more girls in his classes than boys.

Julia Fiona Roberts is 50 years young today.

Julie Roberts rose to fame as the star of Pretty Woman (1990) 
and won an Oscar for her role in Erin Brockovich in 2000. She
wanted to be a veterinarian, but she ended up signing with Click
Modeling Agency in New York. 

TIM MAGUIRE

London received its initial rain of bombs from Nazi Germany during World War II on this day in 1940.

The military dictator and President of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo died on this day in 1997.

The Panama Canal treaties were signed by U.S. President Carter
(left) and General Omar Torrijos Herrera on this day in 1977. The
treaties  called for the U.S. to turn over control of the canal’s
waterway to Panama in the year 2000.       


        
      
      
      
      
   

ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network,
made its debut on cable TV on this day in 1979.

The National Professional Football Hall of Fame was dedicated
in Canton, OH on this day in 1963.

Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley)
(September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959)

Buddy Holly was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist
who along The Crickets pioneered rock with "That’ll
Be the Day," which topped the Billboard Best Sellers.   

ROSS SIMPSON

President George W. Bush, wearing a flight suit after landing on
the flight deck of the Abraham Lincoln in an S3–Viking aircraft.

President George W. Bush declares the end of major combat in
Iraq on this day in 2003.

Francis Gary Powers (August 17, 1929 – August 1, 1977)

The Empire State Building in New York was dedicated and
opened on this day in 1931. It was 102 stories tall and was
the tallest building in the world at the time.

"Citizen Kane," directed and starring Orson Welles, premiered
in New York on this day in 1941.

Orson Welles arriving at the premiere of “Citizen Kane”.

The Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. Route 30) turned 100-years-old
Yesterday, June 7th. The Highway runs through the Columbia River Gorge 
from Troutdale to The Dalles. It was built in segments and dedicated in 1916
as the nation’s first scenic highway. It functioned as the main road into the
city of Portland from the east until opening of I-84 in the 1960s. The Gorge
highway remains one of America’s most iconic roads.