AUGUST 29 – 2005 Hurricane Katrina slams into Gulf Coast; 2016 Oak Ridge and Boeing team up to create world’s largest 3D printed thing; 1862 2nd Battle of Bull Run
AUGUST 29
2005—Hurricane Katrina slams into the Gulf Coast.
…Katrina would become the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the United States, covering New Orleans with water and destroying the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Although New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evocation of the city on August 28, an estimated 150,000 people for whatever reason didn’t leave or couldn’t leave, stayed behind. It was a Category 5 while off the coast, and by the time it hit landfall it was a Category 4.
Winds screamed some 200 mph, although accounts vary on that. 70% of New Orleans is below sea level, and levees are placed to keep the Mississippi River from flooding the city. But a break in the levee system during Hurricane Katrina caused massive flooding throughout the city. About 180,000 homes went under water, electrical and water systems became non-functional. The US Government and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s attempt to provide disaster relief was an epic fail. It took a full two days just for relief to even get started.
Residents took shelter in the New Orleans Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome, and the situation quickly got out of hand as reports of rape and murder began to surface. As the world watched this it was well noted that almost all of the victims were poor African Americans, bringing to front America’s problem with racial inequality. Bottom line was that FEMA was not prepared to handle this from the beginning. In all, this resulted in more than 1800 deaths, with over a million people totally displaced, losing their homes, cars, pets and possessions.
Although President George W. Bush declared September 16 a national day of remembrance for the victims, he was under fire for mentioning it in his State of the Union Address, , was harshly criticized for ignoring pleas two days prior to the disaster, and dragging his feet to get the National Guard involved. FEMA head Michael Brown retired in disgrace.
Epic fail, dude.
2016 – Oak Ridge and Boeing team up to create the world’s largest 3D printed thing!
It’s actually a trim and drill tool that helps Boeing make aircraft wings for the 777x series. But it only took 30 hours to make and it’s about the size of an SUV, weighing nearly 1700 pounds! Boeing uses its own 3D printer, called the Big Aera Additive Manufacturing machine or BAAM, which cranks out this tool in a fraction of the amount of time it would normally take. In fact Boeing director of structures and materials stated that the conventional way to make these tools would’ve taken three months. Not only that but these 3D printed tools are much lighter and easier to use.
1862—Second Battle of Bull Run.
…Union Maj. Gen. John Pop and his Army of Virginia V Conf. Gen. Robert E. Lee and his army of Northern Virginia. The result: Confederate Victory.
Henry Hallock had just relieved George McLellan as commander of the union army. McLellan needed more troops to go after Confederate capital Richmond, but Abraham Lincoln declined his request, and merged the armies of the Armies of Potomac and Virginia. The latter was commanded by John Pope, and this would be his last. Lee’s men, though outnumbered at first, knew Manassas like they knew their backyard. On August 28th, Pop attacked Conf. Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s men at the Warenton Tunpike. The result was a stalemate, with heavy casualties on both sides.
Pope was convinced that he had Jackson surrounded, but what he didn’t know was that Stonewall would be joined by Maj. Gen. James Longstret’s division. On the 29th, Pope attacked Stonewall’s position, but the Rebels held their ground. When Longstreet arrived they joined on Stonewall’s right flank. On the 30th, Pope tried to attack again, but Fitz John Porter’s and Irvin McDowell’s divisions were overwhelmed by Longstreet’s wing of 28,000 soldiers. It was the largest mass assault of the entire Civil War. In one engagement, the Yankee N. 5th regiment had more casualties than any other regiment in the War.
The Union left flank retreated to Bull Run. In Washington, Pope, McLellan, Porter and McDowell pointed the fingers at each other, and though President Lincoln was disgusted with McLellan, he chose to leave him in command.