ED DANAHUE

After fire destroyed his well two months after it found oil along
Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, Edwin L. Drake rebuilt at the original
site. Drake, right, stands with his friend Peter Wilson of Titusville.

On January 10, 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near
Beaumont, Texas, produced an enormous gusher of crude oil,
coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the
advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered
at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of almost
100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap. Following the
discovery, petroleum, which until that time had been used in
the U.S. primarily as a lubricant and in kerosene for lamps,
would become the main fuel source for new inventions such
as cars and airplanes; coal-powered forms of transportation
including ships and trains would also convert to the liquid fuel.

A drilling crew takes a break atop Spindletop Hill in Beaumont,
Texas.

ED DANAHUE

One of the major disasters in 19^th century around the world was the eruption
of the volcano Krakatau in western Pacific Ocean, Indonesia.

The volcano erupted on this day in 1883 and killed thousand people on the
other islands near it. The volcanic dust was thrown into the atmosphere
and affected the weather around the world, and people as far away as Britain
and the United States began to see bizarre red sunsets caused by particles
in the atmosphere.

On this day in 1859, the first oil well was successfully drilled in the
U.S. by Colonel Edwin L. Drake (below) near Titusville, PA.

Drake Well Museum in Titusville, PA is on the site where Edwin L.
Drake drilled the world’s first oil well in 1859 and launched the
modern petroleum industry.

It was on this day in 1979.

Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten was born
Prince Louis of Battenberg
(June 25, 1900 – August 27, 1979)  

President John F. Kennedy (left) Meets with Lord Louis Mountbatten (center) in 1961.  Mountbatten was Chief of the Defense Staff of the British Armed Forces at the time.

Brian Epstein was found dead in his home from an overdose of
sleeping pills on this day in 1967. Epstein first discovered The
Beatles in November 1961.

Brian Samuel Epstein
(September 19, 1934 – August 27, 1967)

Brian Epstein (center) with The Beatles.

ED DANAHUE

It erupted on this day in 1883.

    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
    
    
   
The first oil well was successfully drilled in the U.S. by Colonel Edwin
L. Drake (right) near Titusville, PA. on this day in 1859. 

On this day in 1979

Brian Samuel Epstein (September 19, 1934 – August 27, 1967)   

Epstein died of an overdose of Carbitral, a form of barbiturate or sleeping pill,
while in his locked bedroom. It was later revealed alcohol was also found in
his system. His was discovered unresponsive by police who had been called
by his housekeeper.     
     
     
    

Manager Brian Epstein (center) with the Beatles.

ED DANAHUE

President Clinton Commits the United States to the Kosovo War on
this day in 1999.