SEPTEMBER 22 — 1776 Nathan Hale, America’s first known Revolutionary spy, is executed by British; 1903 Italio Marchioni patents ice cream cone; – 2016 Trump V Hillary Presidential Campaign becomes most watched in history; 2002 Cubs Fred McGriff hits 30th HR for 5 different teams, 1993 Nolan Ryan’s final MLB game; 2016 TV Show Big Bang Theory gets paid
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SEPTEMBER 22
1776 — Nathan Hale, America’s first known Revolutionary spy, is executed by British
Yes, General George Washington had spies. For those of us who were told he never told a lie was fed a lie. Of course Washington lied. How else would he take on the mightiest military in the world?
Born June 6 1755, in Coventry, CT, Nathan Hale graduated from Yale and then joined the Connecticut Regiment in 1775 as war was quickly brewing between the American Colonies and the British. The whole concept of these colonies breaking away from British rule had started so well.
The Declaration was made and New York and Philadelphia were full of patriots who couldn’t wait for independence. A group of American ragtags was amazingly able to hold the city of Boston from the Redcoats during Lexington and Concord sieges.
But the Americans just got lucky in those cases, the British had taken Bunker Hill, and William Howe, commander of the British army, was looking at the bigger picture: New York City. He’d worry about Boston later. Philadelphia would come next, which was the heart of American patriotism. A British victory there would end this silly skirmish once and for all. In August 1776, British ships flooded the Staten Island harbors like a menacing swarm of locusts. outnumbering Washington’s ill equipped and untrained army in Long Island and Manhattan 3:1.
For General Washington, there was no turning back. Hang together, or we hang separately, he would say. It’s likely there was a spy named William Howard Jr., a patriot who turned against the Americans to save his father’s life, which tipped General Howe and showed him a relatively unguarded, a critical point for redcoats to take over and defend against the Americans.
The battle of Long Island on August 27th was quick and decisive. Washington’s army was decimated. Now the redcoats were going to Brooklyn. It would appear that trickery and treachery would become a regular theme of the American Revolution. General Washington miraculously was able to escape with his men out of Brooklyn Heights as a wave of fog rolled in, like a blanket of cover from God.
It was clear that he would not be able to defeat the British unless he outwitted them. Harlem Heights would be next. On September 10th, General Washington chose Nathan Hale, now captain in the Continental Army, on a very dangerous mission. Disguised as his old profession as a school teacher, Hale went behind redcoat lines, masquerading himself as a Loyalist.
He was able to gather critical information about British fortifications, but on September 15th, the British had taken Manhattan, and then set the city on fire on September 20th. While Hale was finishing his mission by returning to Washington with his information, he was captured on the Long Island Sound and brought to General Howe. Howe ordered his execution, and on this day in 1776, on what is now the intersection of 66th St and 3rd Ave, Hale went to the gallows.
Legend has it, his last words were: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country. For Washington, this was a big learning point on how to properly train spies. The details of his body are unknown and there were no portraits of Captain Hale, but he would go down in American history as General Washington’s first spies. A year later, American Major General Benjamin Tallmadge would help Washington with his famed Culper Ring, which would help Americans in the war.
But for now, Washington and everyone else had a long way to go to victory against the British.
2016 – Trump V Clinton becomes the most widely watched presidential election in US History.
Since Nielsen ratings only go back since Carter V Ford, the list of top presidential debates is a short and not very surprising on. Had Kennedy V Nixon way back in 1960 e been covered by Nielson, that may a chart topper at least until the 1970s as more TVs found their ways into people’s homes. 2000’s Gore V Bush attracted 46M viewers, followed by 2004’s Bush V Kerry with 51m, 2008 Obama V McCain with 56M, then 2012’s Obama V Romney 59M.
Rounding out the top 5, 1988 MA Governor Mike Dukakis, who was challenge Bush Sr, was famously asked a very poignant question regarding the death penalty: If his wife Kitty were to be raped and murdered, then finally would he be in favor of The death penalty, to which Dukakis replied “No, I don’t, Bernard, and I think you know that I’ve opposed the death penalty during all of my life. I don’t see any evidence that it’s a deterrent and I think there are better and more effective ways to deal with violent crime.” That debate drew in 67.3M.
The 1976 debate between Ford and Carter would prove devastating to Ford’s career, especially when stated “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” When pried for some type of explanation for this seemingly misunderstanding of the question, Ford doubled down claiming that Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia were free from Soviet interference. That debate saw 69.7 viewers.
In 1992, Bush popularity was waning due to breaking his promise by raising taxes and still feeling a recession. Bill Clinton was right behind him, looking to take the win. But there was independent Texas oil businessman Ross Perot, who after gaining almost 19% of the vote. Not bad for the third party known as the Reform party.
In 1984 after Walter Mondale seemingly had the Old Cowboy up against the ropes, Ronald Reagan came storming back when challenged on his old age by saying “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience,” That debate enjoyed 80m viewers. Which finally brings us to September 22 2016 – Not only the most popular campaign at 84M viewers, but also the most expensive: at $66B.
1961 – JFK signs Peace Corps
…legislation. According to their website, throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. In an ever-changing world, Peace Corps Volunteers have met new challenges with innovation, creativity, determination, and compassion. From AIDS education to emerging technologies to environmental preservation to new market economies, Peace Corps Volunteers have helped people build better lives for themselves. Their work in villages, towns, and cities around the globe represents a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America’s history and positive image abroad.
This is one idea that Congress argued about during its inception. Its original intention had an ulterior motive; which was to provide a countermove to communism by gaining the trust and support of third world countries around the world. However, the cost was $40M, Americans typically don’t .like getting involved in other countries affairs if possible, it looked like a big PR maneuver. Once Kennedy signed it into legislation, it gained speed and was generally well liked by Americans.
In fact nearly 220,000 people have served often dangerous conditions in over 140 countries. Today, there are over 6,000 serving 63% female by the way, 25% are minorities; the average age is 28. So if you fit that description…94% single. Know what I’m saying? The Peace Corps is helping 61 countries, mostly Africa and Latin America, largely dealing with education, health and environment issues. You’re welcome, world. They have a toll free recruitment number which is 855-855-1961.
1903 – A great Italian comes to New York City and patents the ice cream cone. Now websites like whatscookingamerica.net claims that the edible ice cream cone was used in other countries before this, but if you don’t patent it you don’t own it. That simple. Italo Marchioni went up and down Wall St. selling ice cream to stockbrokers and traders in a glass bowl, but those bowls would break. So he made waffles, rolled em up, and they were such a big hit selling to stockbrokers there was a boom in ice cream sales in the stock market itself.
1862 – Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.
2002 Cubs Fred McGriff hits his 30th HR – 1st to have 30 with 5 different teams, 1993 Nolan Ryan makes his final MLB appearance – debut 9/11/1966 – had 7 no hitters, 324 wins, ERA of 3.19, and 5,714 strikeouts
actors become highest paid actors on TV. Jim Parsons, Johnny Gallecki, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Naayer each made about $1M per episode according to Forbes.