This Week in American History: 1940 – Benjamin Davis Promoted to Brigadier General
This week in 1940, US Army veteran Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. becomes the first black person to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in the US Army.
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Andy’s Astronomy: Meteor Shower Peaks Next Week
Put the phones down and go outside. The ongoing Orionids Meteor Shower is projected to reach peak activity during the overnight hours of Tuesday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Accident Victim Needs Help
Displaying signs of progress, 34-year old Brandon Spells still has long road of recovery after a horrific motorcycle accident. On the night of Sunday, Sept. 13, Spells, the son of FD Roosevelt State Park Assistant Manager Marty Spells, was riding his motorcycle in Lowndes County when the driver of a car abruptly pulled out in front of him. As too often happens, this resulted in an accident in which Spells was critically injured including multiple brain bleeds, broken pelvis, and other serious injuries.
The Votes Are In
At a time when so few American voters take time to cast ballots in elections, the village of Piddington shows us how voter participation should be. On September 15, Piddington experienced a 91.8 percent voter turnout overwhelmingly approving a referendum to secede from the United Kingdom, and declaring their village the “Principality of Piddington”. This paves the way for the leaders of Piddington to seek becoming part of the United States.
This Week in American History: 1910 – Airship America is Launched to Cross Atlantic
Engines disabled, the crew of the non-rigid airship America abandon it near Bermuda to be rescued by the SS Trent. The hydrogen-filled balloon then drifted southward, out of sight, and was never seen again bringing an end to the first attempt at powered flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
Andy’s Astronomy: Mystery Surrounds Old Spy Satellite
Need to call Sherlock Holmes. Information released late last week indicates that a US satellite has mysteriously broken into pieces. Apparently the satellite, which has been in space for nearly 40 years, broke apart on Sept. 13, as reported by Space Force. However, why the satellite broke apart remains unknown.
This Week in American History: 1945 – Desmond Doss Awarded Medal of Honor
A conscientious objector during World War II because his faith would not allow him to kill another person, Desmond Doss becomes a medic instead and provide heroic service to save wounded soldiers. President Harry Truman is shown presenting Doss with the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Andy’s Astronomy: Rogue Satellite Plunges Into Atmosphere
As noted in a previous column the Link satellite returned to Earth, and did so last Friday. An uncontrolled re-entry, the satellite was reported to have entered the atmosphere over an ocean and posed no threat to anyone on the ground. The precise location was not reported.
Andy’s Astronomy: Gamma Cassiopeiae Now Visible
High thin clouds at night made star gazing quite challenging during the week, but persistence pays off. The star Gamma Cassiopeiae has been visible, but it is one of those stars easier to spot when one does not look directly at it.
Moratorium Set on Conservation Subdivisions
Last week, the Harris County Commissioner established a moratorium on further “conservation subdivisions” in the county.