Thursday, August 17, 2006

Spotlight
On this date in 1896, a prospecting party discovered gold in Canada's Yukon Territory, an event that touched off the Klondike gold rush. News of the find only reached the US in July of the following year, encouraging some 25,000 hopeful individuals to set off to find their fortune. Much of the gold was mined quickly and by 1910, only small traces of gold remained. Klondike was the setting for Charlie Chaplin's film, The Gold Rush, as well as Mae West's Diamond Lil.

Quote
"The gold-digger in the ravines of the mountains is as much a gambler as his fellow in the saloons of San Francisco. What difference does it make whether you shake dirt or shake dice?" – Henry David Thoreau

Today in History

• Philadelphia: took over from NYC as US capital (1790); 10 years later passed the title to Washington, DC
• Double Eagle II: became first hot-air balloon to complete transatlantic flight, from Maine to France (1978)
• harmonic convergence: new age gatherings in Stonehenge, Mount Shasta and other places prayed and meditated for peace (1987)

Today's Birthdays

• Mae West: Hollywood sex symbol (1892-1980)
• Robert De Niro: Oscar-winner, Godfather II (63)
• Sean Penn: Oscar-winner, Mystic River (46)

Word of the Day
 scot -- money assessed or paid   (© )