Then & now: Cracker Jack and its signature sailor mascot have
evolved over the years.

One of the oldest American forms of junk food, the Cracker Jack was invented
and trademarked in 1896 when the brothers who formed F.W. Rueckheim &
Bro., mixed molasses-flavored, caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts together.

Fredrich William Rueckheim

   
Louis Rueckheim
           

Today,January 19, celebrates all of the different ways the corn-based treat      
popcorn can be enjoyed savory or sweet, caramelized, buttered or plain.

The Popcorn Board, a non-profit started in 1998, says Americans consume
13 billion quarts of popcorn a year, more than any other country in the
world.

ED DANAHUE

On this is day in 1845, President James Polk and signed legislation making Texas the 28th state of the United States.

Boundaries of Texas after the annexation in 1845.

Depiction of Anson Jones lowering Republic flag following
annexation by the United States.

The U.S. and Texas flags at the Texas State Capitol.

The first American Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was organized, in Boston, MA. on this day in 1851. 

A group of evangelicals from several Boston churches, led by retired sea
captain  and lay preacher Thomas Valentine Sullivan, founded the first
YMCA in the United States. Modeled on the original YMCA established in
London in 1844 by George Williams, this new organization offered a safe
gathering place, opportunities for socializing, bible-study classes and
prayer meetings.

 
Thomas Valentine Sullivan                        George Williams

ROSS SIMPSON

The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore (" ‘Twas
the night before Christmas…") was published on this day in 1823.

TIM MAGUIRE

On this day in 1901, President William McKinley was shot and
mortally wounded (he died eight days later) by Leon Czolgosz,
an American anarchist, was executed the following October.

Leon Czolgosz

The funeral for Britain’s Princess Diana was on this day
in 1997.

Piggly Wiggly is a supermarket chain in the Southern and Midwestern regions
of the U.S. The first outlet opened in 1916 in Memphis, Tennessee, and is
notable for having been the first true self-service grocery store, and the
originator of various familiar supermarket features such as checkout stands, individual item price marking and shopping carts. The current company headquarters is in Keene, New Hampshire. Currently, more than 600
independently owned Piggly Wiggly stores operate in 17 states, primarily
in smaller cities and towns.

Piggly Wiggly founder Clarence Saunders.
(August 9, 1881 – September 23, 1953)

George Roger Waters is 75 years old today.

Bass player, composer, vocalist Roger Waters was co-founder,
and front man of the English rock band Pink Floyd, the group
known for songs like "Shine On You Crazy Diamond."

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

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.

It was on this day in 1989.