“The history of the world is but the biography of great men.”
Let us cascade into the historic events that fabricate the history of November 8th. The day highlights the spectrum of events that enfolds a breakthrough of the existential norms and even the greatest scientific discoveries.
1895: William Konrad Roentgen discovered x-rays on November 8
source : dailymail.co.uk
Germany born, Roentgen, after taking periods at several German Universities became professor of physics at Wurzburg. On the 8th of November, he noticed that a sheet of paper coated with barium platinocyanide glowed when he switched on a nearby cathode-ray-tube covered with black cardboard. The electrons were accelerated in the tube. As a result, on the glass end of the tube, there was a production of penetrating “x”(since their name was unknown then). This was a momentous event that instantly revolutionized the fields of physics and medicine, in the history of November 8.
Explicitly, the people who heard of it would say, “Roentgen has probably gone crazy”. Little did they know that x-rays were an immediate sensation thereafter. The rays found applications in medicine. They also stimulated research in new directions, the theory of Radioactivity followed in a year. Roentgen received his first Nobel Prize in 1902 for his greatest discovery to science. In fact, on November 8, World Radiology Day marks the anniversary of this discovery.
1904: first US patent received by Harvey Hubbell on November 8 for his discovery.
source : wikipedia.org
Harvey Hubbell was an inventor as well as a manufacturer based in the United States. He invented a separable electric attachment plug. It was constructed in a way that the construction cost was reduced to the bare minimum. The plug shall do away with the possibility of inducing a spark. Evidently, it served to the requirements of a person with no knowledge of electrical circuits. It could connect varied electrical appliances with the circuit at an ease.
Harvey Hubbell received a total of 45 patents. Most of which were for his contributions to electric products. His other inventions are inclusive of a pull chain electrical light socket, electrical power plug, a three-bladed power plug, and much more such discoveries patented under his name.
source : https://patents.google.com/patent/US974785A/en
1910: William H. Frost receives the first patent for his invention on November 8.
He invented an electric insect destroyer, which later received a patent on November 8. It worked on the principle of electrocution. The invention had a number of parallel electrically energized wires of different polarities. When the insect passed between the wires, a spark was induced to zap it. Most importantly, the wires had to properly tensioned in devices of such character. So that they were kept taut in regards to the strength of the current, the thickness of the wire, and like considerations. This discovery marks the history of November 8.
Although Frost did not receive much recognition for his career, one of his other works The Frost Flying Machine, was able to capture some attention. It basically contradicted its description mentioned in the patent. Later, William H. Frost took his heavenly abode in 1935 without wealth or recognition.
1926: Musical “Oh, Kay” premieres in NYC
source : pexels.com
This captivating musical was given music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse. Oh, Kay was based on the play titled La Presidente, drafted by Maurice Hannequin and Pierre Veber.
The plot of the play takes action around the ventures of the Duke of Durham and his sister, Lady Kay. Evidently, the mesmerizing song, “Someone to Watch Over Me” keeps the show alive in the memories of its admirers.
The American composer and pianist, George Gershwin, compositions witnessed both of the popular and classical genres. His other notable works include Lullaby, Blue Monday, Rhapsody in Blue, Short Story under the classical genre, and musical films like Delicious, A Damsel in Distress, An American in Paris, and many more.
2005: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first woman to lead an African country. She was the first woman to serve Africa as an elected president. Although Mrs. Sirleaf made history with this remarkable position, she also encountered accusations of corruption and nepotism. Her story is about feats of courage and defiance, entangled with notable allegations. She served as a savior to some, while for others, she was just like all the rest.
Mrs. Sirleaf kept the banner of peace and non-violence held high. In the year 2011, she(along with Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman) received the Nobel Peace Prize. They worked in regards to the non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.
Also, for more on women empowerment and feminism, click here.
2016: Republican Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with the Democratic ticket.
source : nbcnews.com
The 58th quadrennial presidential election also marks the history of November 8, witnessed the Republican ticket of Donald Trump triumph over the Democratic ticket. What makes this election exciting is the fact that it was the fifth and the most recent election in which the winning candidate lost the popular vote. For supporters of President Donald Trump, the date remarks a deliverance and faith in the billionaire businessman. Trump emerged as the front runner of the Republican.
The Republican campaign promised to “Make America Great Again”. Trump had no prior experience in the field of military or public services. Along with this, he was also the oldest one to be inaugurated for a first presidential term.
In a nutshell, all the aforementioned events of November 8, highlights it as a breakthrough of the conventional norms and a room for inventions. The history associated with the day serves as an inspiration and is worth knowing about.
