#ThrowbackThursday – 17 October
It’s 17 October, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1938 – The Birth of Evel
Today marks the 86th birthday of the world’s most famous motorcycle stuntman: Evel Knievel.
Born Robert Craig Knievel in Butte, Montana on 17 October 1938, he was already somewhat of a plucky yet pesky personality in his younger years, giving the local authorities plenty of headaches with his criminal antics, thus earning him the nickname “Evil Knievel” (which he later changed to “Evel”).
After dipping his toes into a myriad of odd jobs – including working as a miner who once caused a citywide power outage after ploughing into underground power lines while popping wheelies with an earthmover – Knievel became the co-owner of a local motorcycle shop. To promote the business, he put on a stunt show which saw him sailing over cages containing live rattlesnakes and mountain lions.
From 1965-66, Knievel formed his own stunt troupe called “Evel Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils”, which saw them performing by jumping over caged animals, jumping through fire walls and being towed by dragsters at high speeds. Afterwards, he pursued a solo career that saw him performing over 300 death-defying stunts including jumping over 50 cars, launching himself over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, and making the jump over Snake River Canyon in Idaho.
In the process, Knievel set and broke multiple records … albeit while also breaking almost all of his bones (many times!), ranging from his collarbones to both of his legs.
In 1980, Knievel retired at the age of 42; for the rest of his days, his health began to decline. He was ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which claimed his life at the age of 69 on 30 November 2007.
1956 – Happy Birthday, Mae Jemison!
Today also marks the 68th birthday of Mae Jemison, a pioneer in space exploration and the first African American woman to travel in space.
Born in Decatur, Alabama on 17 October 1956, Jemison was a bright and scholarly child from a young age. Encouraged by her parents, she developed a strong interest in science and excelled in her school studies. Jemison graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1977 and later received her Doctor of Medicine degree from Cornell University in 1981.
On 18 June 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space – this inspired Jemison, who had a childhood fascination with space, to apply to NASA’s astronaut programme in 1985. After the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 paused the programme, Jemison reapplied and was accepted in 1987, becoming one of 15 selected from over 2 000 applicants for NASA Astronaut Group 12.
Jemison’s first mission was as a mission specialist on the STS-47 crew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. On 12 September 1992, she and six other astronauts launched into space, making Jemison the first African American woman in space.
“Strange, but I always knew I’d be here,” she recalled in her 2001 memoir, “Find Where the Wind Goes.”
“Looking down and all around me, seeing the Earth, the moon and the stars, I just felt that I belonged right there, and in fact, any place in the entire universe.”
After returning to Earth, Jemison continued to work for NASA for another six years before founding the Jemison Group, a company that seeks to develop and promote advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for people around the world.
2020 – Rat Race
Rats are often stereotypically linked to New York City, but you might be surprised to learn that another city has snagged the title of the “rattiest city” in America – and has done so for six consecutive years!
Each year, pest control service Orkin publishes a list ranking the top 50 cities most plagued by rats. Chicago, Illinois, topped the list in 2015 and maintained that position from 2016 to 2019.
On 17 October 2020, the Windy City reclaimed its status as the rattiest city in the country for the sixth time.
Despite the efforts of Chicago residents to combat this issue – including adopting cats – rats have proven themselves to be incredibly resilient. They reproduce quickly and find ways to enter properties for shelter.
Since that time, Orkin has designated Chicago as the rattiest city three additional times. Will the Windy City finally break this streak in 2024?
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