September 8 is:
International Literacy Day
National Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses’ Day
National Ampersand Day
Pardon Day…The roots of this day go back to September 8, 1974. On this day, newly installed President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation pardoning President Richard M. Nixon of any wrong doing related to the Watergate scandal.
Today is also a day to say “Pardon Me”, or Excuse Me” as appropriate. In today’s busy society, too many people race about their lives, forgetting the small courtesies in life. Among the easiest things to let slip by, is etiquette.
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring Mary’s birthday.
1504 – Michelangelo’s David is unveiled in Florence. For other works by Michelangelo, see Wikiart. Full name was: Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
From Today in Science
Pump handle removal stops cholera epidemic
In 1854, Dr. John Snow removed the handle of the Broad Street water pump in London, thus effectively halting further spread of cholera. He had mapped the outbreaks, and thus suspected contamination of this community source of water. He was correct in this, one of the most symbolic gestures in the history of public health. Within days after the pump handle was removed, new cases of illness had ceased. Site investigation showed raw sewage from a leaking sewage cesspool that had contaminated the well water. Thus Snow, who was already a celebrated anaesthetist became a pioneer of epidemiology. The “John Snow” pub now stands beside the pink granite slab marking the site of the original pump.
From Today in Science
Scotch tape
In 1930, Scotch tape was developed by Richard G. Drew at 3M, St. Paul, Minn. Originally, 3M only made sandpaper, and during testing Drew observed at a local auto bodyshop that auto painters had difficulty making clean dividing lines on two-color paint jobs. After two years of effort in the company’s labs, he invented masking tape (1925), a tan paper tape with a light, pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Five years later, he invented Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape, the first waterproof, see-through, pressure-sensitive tape. Once marketed, the public found the tape had a wide range of popular applications in mending, sealing and joining. These financial successes stimulated the company to increase product research and development.
1930 1st appearance of comic strip “Blondie” by Chic Young. On February 17, 1933, after much fanfare and build-up, Blondie Boopadoop and Dagwood Bumstead were married.