| Thursday, October 8, 2009 |
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| Eddie Rickenbacker |
Answer of the DayWhat are some of Eddie Rickenbacker's nicknames? American World War I fighter pilot and aviation industrialist Edward Rickenbacker was born on this date in 1890. Already a top racing driver before the war, "Fast Eddie" was the first to drive at the speed of a mile a minute. With the onset of WWI, he started out as an army driver, but was determined to join the fighter pilots. He eventually achieved a place in the "Hat-in-the-Ring Squadron." By the end of the war, Rickenbacker had shot down more enemy aircraft than any other pilot, earning him the title "Ace of Aces," and becoming the war's most decorated combat pilot. Again a civilian, he started an automobile company, was one of the owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and president of Eastern Air Lines, a company he led for 25 years.
Quote"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."
Word of the daywhinge
intr.v. Chiefly British.
To complain or protest, especially in an annoying or persistent manner.
George Bernard Shaw pithily observed, "England and America are two countries separated by a common language." For the next fortnight, we'll examine words that are current in the UK but may be unfamiliar to the average American.
Today's History
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| Che Guevara |
- The Great Chicago Fire: began, as did three other blazes around Lake Michigan, including America's deadliest fire, the Peshtigo fire (1871)
- Empress Myeongseong: the last empress of Korea was assassinated by the Japanese (1895)
- Che Guevara: leftist revolutionary hero was captured by the Bolivian army; he was executed the next day (1967)
- water speed record: was set by Australian Ken Warby at 318 mph/510 kph near Tumut, New South Wales; it still stands (1978)
Today's Birthdays
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| Jesse Jackson |
- Juan Perón (1895-1974): president of Argentina
- Jesse Jackson (68): civil rights activist
- R.L. Stine (66): author of Goosebumps books; Dune writer Frank Herbert (1920-1986) shared this birth date
- Sigourney Weaver (60): award-winning actor, will star in James Cameron's upcoming 3-D science fiction film Avatar; other actors born today include Paul Hogan (70), Chevy Chase (66), Darrell Hammond (54), Stephanie Zimbalist (53), Emily Procter (41), Matt Damon (39), Nick Cannon (29) and Angus T. Jones (16)
