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Important events: Jonas Salk discovered polio vaccine (1953), Camp David Peace Accord signed (1979), Queen Elizabeth II sent first royal email (1976), and Vietnam Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony held (1982). Other events include Aesop’s fable printed (1484) and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel published (1920).
Jonas Salk has announced the discovery of a polio vaccine. (1953) Clinical trials of the vaccine began the following year, and eventually polio was nearly eradicated – something thought to be impossible in 1952, when there were nearly 60,000 cases of polio in the United States alone.
One of Central Park’s biggest be-ins took place. (1967) Several large protests took place in Central Park during the Vietnam War, but this was one of the largest. In this protest, participants burned down the Central Park Christmas tree and were actually accompanied by the Parks Commissioner, who said the protest made New Year’s celebrations in Time’s Square “old hats.”
The Camp David Peace Accord has been signed. (1979) Egyptian and Israeli leaders signed the treaty in a White House ceremony, ending more than three decades of hostility. The treaty was far more popular outside the Arab world than in it; despite the fact that both leaders won the Nobel Peace Prize, Egypt was suspended from the Arab League.
Queen Elizabeth II has sent the first royal email. (1976) The email was sent from an army base using the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, although the contents remain confidential.
Thomas Jefferson was presented with a loaf of “mammoth” bread. (1804) The President had been presented with a 1,200-pound (about 550 kg) block of cheese a few months earlier at his inauguration, and the loaf had been baked to accompany the cheese. Jefferson cut the first cut at a public feast, which quickly turned into drunken revelry, according to first-hand accounts.
Britain has started using a driving test. (1934) Although British drivers had been required to have a license since 1903, no test was required until 1934. The law requiring the test was created after a record year of motor accidents in Britain, and also included the reintroduction of speed limits, which had been removed in the 1930s.
One of the first versions of Aesop’s fable was printed. (1484) The book was printed by William Caxton, who is supposed to be the first person to introduce printing into England, and as being the first dealer of printed books in England.
The Book of Mormon has been published. (1830) The Book of Mormon, the central text of the Mormon faith, was first published in Palmyra, New York. The city was also the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and where Smith reportedly had his first celestial visitations.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. (1982) Like the war itself, the memorial was controversial due to its design and location. Ground was formally broken for the “V” shaped memorial on this day and was finished eight months later.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s first novel is published. (1920) This Side of Paradise was an instant success and launched Fitzgerald’s literary career. Fitzgerald is best known for The Great Gatsby, released five years later.
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