The Genius and Persistence of “the real McCoy”
On May 2, 1844, 180 years ago today, Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario to George and Mildred Goins McCoy—fugitive slaves who had escaped from Kentucky and traveled north to Ontario via the Underground Railroad. Elijah was educated in the segregated black schools of Ontario, and then went to Scotland to study at the University of […]
What’s in a name?
On May 1, 1930, the dwarf planet Pluto officially got its name. While researchers had suspected the existence of Pluto for years based on observations of activity around Neptune and Uranus, the formal discovery of Pluto occurred on February 18, 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. Pluto’s name comes from the Roman god of the underworld. But […]
Divine Gratitude, not Self-congratulation
Tue 4/30/2024 3:45 PM As we approach the last day of our first year of school at Columbus Classical Academy, it is tempting to reflect on all that we have achieved. After all, it has not been easy, and much, indeed, has been accomplished. Faculty, staff, parents, scholars, board members, donors, and community members all—individually […]
America: Coincidence or Providence?
It turns out, April 30 has been a big day for America throughout its history. Five hundred thirty-two years ago today, Christopher Columbus received from Spain his commission of exploration, which led to his seafaring discovery of the land that would eventually become known as America. Two hundred thirty-five years ago, on April 30, 1789, […]
“Spring Renewal: Reflections on our Founding Year’s Growth and Gratitude”
Each new day further into Spring as the once winter-desolate campus comes back to life tunes my heart to the beauty of this work – verdant lush grasses, flowering trees, and perennials along with their sweet smells waft through the air. There is new growth in the shrubbery and the singsong of the mama robin […]
The Wonder of Rubber and the Why of History
On April 29, 1813, 211 years ago, J.F. Hummel received the first U.S patent for rubber. While natural rubber—which comes from the rubber tree in the form of a sticky, milky white fluid called latex—had been used by ancient South American civilizations as far back as 1600 B.C., Hummel’s patent eventually paved the way for […]
Mistaking a Home Run for an Out
Ninety-three years ago today, on April 26, 1931, baseball star Lou Gehrig hit a home run with a runner on base and two outs. His hit cleared the outfield fence, but then bounced back into the hands of the centerfielder Harry Rice. Gehrig’s teammate who was on base, Lyn Lary, didn’t realize that Gehrig had […]
The DNA of virtue?
Seventy-one years ago today, on April 25, 1953, the scientific journal Nature published a series of five articles on the double-helix structure of DNA, a discovery resulting from the work primarily of James Watson, Francis Crick, and Rosalind Franklin. DNA is the molecule inside of cells that contains the genetic information necessary for humans and most other […]
So many books…
On April 24, 1800, 224 years ago today, President John Adams signed legislation appropriating the sum of $5,000 “for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress…and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them.” The Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United […]
The New Old School
Three hundred and eighty-nine years ago today, on April 23, 1635, Boston Latin School was the first school founded in colonial America. It was initially funded by donations rather than tax dollars, and the first classes were held in the home of the first headmaster, Philemon Pormort. The school’s purpose was to educate young men […]
