Today in History
March 31, 1889
The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated
Along with the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, there may be no more instantly recognizable man-made structure than the Eiffel Tower, inaugurated on this date in 1889. The grand tower was built for the Universal Exhibition held that year in celebration of the French Revolution.
The Architect was Stephen Sauvestre. The project was begun in 1884 with construction taking place from 1887 to 1889, a total of 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. The contractor was Gustave Eiffel. In all, 50 engineers and designers produced 5,300 "blueprints" for the construction. 100 ironworkers produced the 18,038 individual parts used in the assembly and 121 men constructed the tower. It is owned by the city of Paris.
The weight of the metal structure is 7,300 tons with the total weight topping out at 10,100 tons. Its height including the flagpole, is 324 meters. The Eiffel Tower is painted every seven years and received its 19th coat of paint in 2008.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
March 30
March 30, 1867
Seward's Folly
On this day in 1867, the U.S. Senate purchased the territory of Alaska from the Russian Empire for the sum of 2 cents per acre or $7.2 million - approximately $110 million in 2009 dollars. Russian knew the territory as Alyeska, the "great land", an Aleut word. The Russians never Alaska and William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated the Alaskan purchase which came to be known as Seward's Folly. The purchase was intended to provide the United States with a strategic position against British expansion in Canada. In the 1890s, the discovery of gold in Alaska brought tens of thousands of settlers to Alaska. Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959.
Seward's Folly
On this day in 1867, the U.S. Senate purchased the territory of Alaska from the Russian Empire for the sum of 2 cents per acre or $7.2 million - approximately $110 million in 2009 dollars. Russian knew the territory as Alyeska, the "great land", an Aleut word. The Russians never Alaska and William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, negotiated the Alaskan purchase which came to be known as Seward's Folly. The purchase was intended to provide the United States with a strategic position against British expansion in Canada. In the 1890s, the discovery of gold in Alaska brought tens of thousands of settlers to Alaska. Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Today in History
As of today's date I would like to start a new Section in my Blog. Everyday I will be adding some interesting facts about history and travel destinations. Hope all of you out there will find it fascinating:
Today In History:
March 27, 1964
Great Alaska Earthquake
On March 27th, 1964, it was life as usual in the city of Anchorage, Alaska. At 5:36:14 p.m. local time, the ground shook violently. Reaching a magnitude of 9.2, the ensuing earthquake remains one of the most devastating on record. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami took 128 lives (tsunami 113, earthquake 15), and caused about $311 million in property loss.
Anchorage, about 120 kilometers northwest of the epicenter, sustained the most severe damage to property. About 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial buildings were damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Landslides in Anchorage caused heavy damage in the downtown business section. The largest and most devastating landslide occurred at Turnagain Heights. An area of about 130 acres was devastated by displacements that broke the ground into many deranged blocks that were collapsed and tilted at all angles. This slide destroyed about 75 private houses. Water mains and gas, sewer, telephone, and electrical systems were disrupted throughout the area.
Seiche action (waves) caused by the earthquake in rivers, lakes, bayous, and protected harbors and waterways along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas caused minor damage and were was also recorded on tide gages in places as far away as Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Today In History:
March 27, 1964
Great Alaska Earthquake
On March 27th, 1964, it was life as usual in the city of Anchorage, Alaska. At 5:36:14 p.m. local time, the ground shook violently. Reaching a magnitude of 9.2, the ensuing earthquake remains one of the most devastating on record. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami took 128 lives (tsunami 113, earthquake 15), and caused about $311 million in property loss.
Anchorage, about 120 kilometers northwest of the epicenter, sustained the most severe damage to property. About 30 blocks of dwellings and commercial buildings were damaged or destroyed in the downtown area. Landslides in Anchorage caused heavy damage in the downtown business section. The largest and most devastating landslide occurred at Turnagain Heights. An area of about 130 acres was devastated by displacements that broke the ground into many deranged blocks that were collapsed and tilted at all angles. This slide destroyed about 75 private houses. Water mains and gas, sewer, telephone, and electrical systems were disrupted throughout the area.
Seiche action (waves) caused by the earthquake in rivers, lakes, bayous, and protected harbors and waterways along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas caused minor damage and were was also recorded on tide gages in places as far away as Cuba and Puerto Rico.
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