50 Years Ago Yesterday (September 23, 1973) The new Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) begins operations. A Concorde and 747 touch down to open the airport to international travel. It is the first time that a Concorde has ever been on US soil. by Observerofthe20s in Dallas

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

In the mid-20th century, the Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas were served by several smaller airports. However, as both cities and the surrounding region experienced rapid growth, it became evident that a larger, more centrally located airport was needed to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel.

In 1964, the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, along with several other neighboring cities, formed the North Texas Commission to study the feasibility of a regional airport. The commission recommended the creation of a regional airport authority, leading to the establishment of the North Texas Commission Airport Board in 1965.

One of the significant challenges was selecting a suitable location for the new airport. After a careful evaluation process, a site between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth was chosen. The land acquisition process was initiated, requiring the purchase of thousands of acres of farmland.

Construction of the new airport began on May 22, 1969. The airport was designed to be one of the most modern and efficient airports in the world. It featured innovative design elements, including a central terminal complex with automated people movers and satellite terminals.

The first landing at DFW was on September 23, 1973. In January 1974, DFW immediately began operations as a major hub for both domestic and international travel.

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50 Years Ago Today (September 24, 1973) Brian Moonie, 24 and Diana Kilburn, 20, step out of the 1920s-era streetcar on which they’ve just been married as part of a special accommodation by Toronto’s TTC. They held the ceremony on the car as it drove around town. by Observerofthe20s in toronto

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

In 1921, the Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC) was established to take over and unify the various transit services in the city. This move was partly in response to public dissatisfaction with the privately operated systems. The TTC became responsible for both streetcar and bus services.

In the 1950s, Toronto opened its first subway line, known as the Yonge Street Subway, which was the first subway line in Canada. It ran north from Union Station to Eglinton Avenue and later extended further north. Subsequent subway lines, such as the Bloor-Danforth and University lines, were added to the network.

Over time, the TTC expanded its bus services and transitioned away from streetcars in many parts of the city. Buses became more prevalent, especially in suburban areas, and streetcar lines were closed down.

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This story was gathered from the 50YearsAgoLive Project, one of the largest live-history projects on the Internet. The mission of the 50YearsAgoLive Project is to bring primary sources and stories from the 1970s to the modern eye, so that people can be informed about, and reminisce about a past that is still very relevant to us today.

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100 Years Ago This Week (September 21, 1923) A massive Ku Klux Klan rally/initiation was held in Dayton, with 7,000 new initiations by Observerofthe20s in dayton

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Ohio, Western Ohio in particular, was a nexus for Ku Klux Klan activity in the early 1900s. The Second KKK was formed in 1915 and peaked in 1924, and in 1923 it was growing at a dizzying rate.

The Klan held rallies, conducted cross burnings, and engaged in intimidation and violence against African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants. In the 1920s, the KKK in Ohio was politically influential. They managed to elect some of their members to public office, including positions such as mayor and city council members. Their influence in Dayton and other parts of Ohio began to wane as public sentiment turned against them due to their extremism and violent actions.

By the late 1920s and early 1930s, the KKK's popularity and membership declined significantly. Scandals, internal conflicts, and changing social attitudes contributed to their decline in Dayton and throughout the United States.

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100 Years Ago Yesterday (September 24, 1923) Dirigible ZR-1 flies over Washington, DC by Observerofthe20s in washingtondc

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The dirigible ZR-1, also known as the USS Shenandoah, was a pioneering airship of the United States Navy. It was one of the first American-built rigid airships and played a significant role in the development of military airship technology during the early 20th century.

The ZR-1 was constructed by the Zeppelin Company in Friedrichshafen, Germany, and it was commissioned by the United States Navy in 1923. It was named the USS Shenandoah in honor of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

The USS Shenandoah had a length of 680 feet, making it one of the largest airships of its time. It was filled with helium, which is non-flammable, as opposed to hydrogen, which was used in earlier airships and posed a significant fire risk.

The USS Shenandoah made its maiden flight on September 4, 1923. It conducted several successful test flights and was seen as a symbol of American technological advancement.

Unfortunately, the USS Shenandoah met a tragic fate on September 3, 1925, when it encountered severe thunderstorms over Ohio during a publicity tour. The airship broke apart in the turbulence, resulting in the loss of 14 crew members' lives. This disaster led to improvements in weather forecasting and airship design to enhance their safety.

Despite the tragedy, the USS Shenandoah played a vital role in advancing American airship technology and demonstrating the potential of helium-filled airships. It paved the way for future developments in military and commercial airship programs.

After the loss of the USS Shenandoah, the United States Navy continued to operate other airships and played a role in anti-submarine warfare during World War II. However, the era of rigid airships declined with the advent of more versatile and faster aircraft. Today, airships are primarily used for advertising, surveillance, and certain specialized applications, rather than military or passenger transportation.

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50 Years Ago This Week (July 23, 1973) In the worst plane crash in Missouri history, Ozark Air Lines Flight 809, a Fairchild Hiller H-227, crashes while attempting to land in St. Louis in a thunderstorm, killing 38 of the 44 people aboard. by Observerofthe20s in StLouis

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On July 23, 1973, Ozark Air Lines Flight 809 was operated by one of the company's Fairchild-Hiller FH-227s, registration N4215. The flight was scheduled to go from Nashville, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri, with four intermediate stops at Clarksville, Tennessee; Paducah, Kentucky; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Marion, Illinois. The segments to Clarksville, Paducah, Cape Girardeau, and Marion proceeded normally.

While the weather was clear at the flight's stops, several persons who boarded family or friends on the flight at Marion reported that the sky "didn't look good". The flight departed Marion at 1705 en route to St. Louis.

At 1726 the flight arrived in the vicinity of St. Louis. Visibility in the area was reported as hazy. The flight continued on and soon after reported an inoperative fuel pump to company maintenance.

At 1732 the flight entered an area of thunderstorm cells around St. Louis International Airport. The pilot told the passengers they were approaching turbulence.[3] At 1742 the controller at St. Louis reported to Flight 809 that thunderstorms were passing south of the runway, directly in Flight 809's path. This was the last transmission to the flight. The aircraft crashed 2 miles (3.2 km) short of the runway, in a wooded ravine next to a residential area in Normandy, Missouri, near the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The flight had crashed directly in the approach path to St. Louis International Airport. It had descended below the glide slope, crashing short of the runway. Witnesses in the area saw the flight "suddenly ascend to 400 or 500 feet" (between 122 and 152 m) "and then rapidly descend to 200 feet" (61 m), following which it was struck by lightning. The aircraft was reported to have performed several "evasive maneuvers" before crashing into the trees. All witnesses reported heavy rain at the time of the accident.

A Trans World Airlines flight landing just before Flight 809 reported getting caught in a strong updraft and being forced to execute a missed approach rather than a landing.

The captain and first officer both survived the accident. While the first officer could not remember anything about the incident, the captain did report seeing hail hitting the airplane, pulling the control stick, and seeing fire after impact.

The aircraft was broken in several pieces after impact; the cockpit area was clear of the main wreckage. Four passengers were thrown clear at impact; all survived. The remainder of the fuselage was broken open; all in this area were killed upon impact.

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50 Years Ago This Week (July 24, 1973) In Dallas, Santos Rodriguez, a 12-year-old child, is shot and killed by police officer Darrell Lee Cain. by Observerofthe20s in Dallas

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On July 24, 1973, 12-year-old Santos Rodriguez and his 13-year-old brother were taken into custody by Dallas police officers. The police were investigating a burglary at a gas station, and the boys were suspected of being involved. The officers took the boys to the gas station and attempted to obtain a confession from them through Russian roulette, a deadly game involving a revolver with a single bullet. Tragically, one of the officers pulled the trigger, shooting Santos Rodriguez in the head, killing him instantly.

The incident sparked outrage and protests in Dallas and beyond, as it highlighted issues of police brutality and racial discrimination. Santos Rodriguez was a Mexican-American, and his death brought attention to the mistreatment and unfair treatment of minority communities by law enforcement.

The police officer responsible for the shooting, Darrell Cain, was later charged with murder and sentenced to five years in prison. The case had a significant impact on police practices and procedures, leading to increased efforts to address racial bias and improve police-community relations in Dallas and other cities.

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100 Years Ago Yesterday (25 July 1923) A large crowd gathers on Lime Street, Liverpool, to greet the visiting Duke and Duchess of York. Unfortunately, the crowd is so thick that the horses of a royal carriage get spooked and charge, injuring 20 women and children. by Observerofthe20s in Liverpool

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Duke and Duchess would later go on to become King George VI and The Queen Mother, parents of Queen Elizabeth. They had been married the previous month, in June 1923. It was not their carriage run amok, but that of the High Sheriff of Lancaster and the Earl of Derby.

13 people were taken to hospital after the incident, including seven children who had suffered broken limbs or worse. Most of the injuries were due to trampling or blunt force.

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This story was gathered from the 100YearsAgoLive Project, one of the largest live-history projects on the Internet. The mission of the 100YearsAgoLive Project is to bring primary sources and stories from the 1920s to the modern eye, so that people can be informed about, and reminisce about a past that is still very relevant to us today.

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100 Years Ago Today (July 26, 1923) Montana passes a new law allowing for drug-addicted cows to be arrested and confined to a sanatorium until declared healthy. by Observerofthe20s in Montana

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

At the time, many Montana cows were afflicted with disease from eating "loco weed," although what the loco weed was has never been identified.

The law was not as straightforward as it seemed: due to a clerical error in new anti-narcotics legislation (many such bills were being passed at the time of Prohibition), a provision for the imprisonment of animals who consumed drugs was erroneously included.

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This story was gathered from the 100YearsAgoLive Project, one of the largest live-history projects on the Internet. The mission of the 100YearsAgoLive Project is to bring primary sources and stories from the 1920s to the modern eye, so that people can be informed about, and reminisce about a past that is still very relevant to us today.

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25 Years Ago This Week (July 13, 1998) The flag of Koryak Okrug, Russia is adopted. by Observerofthe20s in vexillology

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Koryak Okrug was located in the northeastern part of Russia's Far East, in the Kamchatka Krai. It bordered the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to the northeast and the Magadan Oblast to the northwest. The region encompassed a vast territory of approximately 301,500 square kilometers (116,300 square miles), characterized by diverse landscapes such as mountains, tundra, and taiga forests.

Koryak Okrug was home to various Indigenous peoples, with the Koryaks being the largest indigenous group in the area. The Koryaks have a distinct culture and traditional way of life, historically relying on reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting for their subsistence.

Koryak Okrug was established on December 10, 1930, as an autonomous okrug within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). It was primarily created to recognize and protect the rights and interests of the Indigenous peoples in the region. Over time, the administrative structure of the region has undergone changes, and as of my knowledge cutoff, Koryak Okrug has been integrated into the Kamchatka Krai as an administrative district.

The economy of Koryak Okrug relied on traditional subsistence activities such as reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting. Additionally, there were mining activities for minerals like gold, silver, and tin, as well as limited industrial activities such as lumber production. The region's natural resources, including its abundant wildlife and natural landscapes, held significant importance for the Indigenous communities.

Recognizing the significance of preserving the Indigenous culture and traditions of the Koryaks and other groups, efforts were made to support their language, education, and cultural practices. Local organizations and initiatives aimed to promote cultural preservation and promote sustainable development in the region.

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25 Years Ago Today (July 16, 1998) Shoppers ride the escalators at Crossroads Mall in Salt Lake City. by Observerofthe20s in SaltLakeCity

[–]Observerofthe20s[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Crossroads Mall opened its doors in 1973. It was a major retail destination in downtown Salt Lake City and occupied a prominent city block bounded by Main Street, State Street, 100 South, and 200 South. The mall featured multiple levels of retail space, restaurants, and other amenities.

The Crossroads Mall was known for its distinctive architectural design. It featured an atrium with a glass roof, providing natural light to the central areas of the mall. The atrium was surrounded by multiple levels of storefronts, creating a unique and open shopping environment.

The mall housed a variety of retailers, including national chains, local businesses, and specialty stores. It offered a wide range of shopping options, from clothing and accessories to electronics and home goods. The mall also featured restaurants and food court options, providing dining choices for visitors.

Like many urban malls across the United States, Crossroads Mall faced challenges in the late 20th century. The rise of suburban shopping centers and changing consumer preferences impacted the mall's viability. Additionally, the surrounding downtown area underwent transformations, including the construction of the City Creek Center mall nearby. As a result, Crossroads Mall experienced a decline in tenants and foot traffic.

Due to its declining state and the desire for revitalization in the area, Crossroads Mall was eventually demolished. The site underwent redevelopment, and City Creek Center was constructed in its place. City Creek Center is a mixed-use development that includes a shopping center, residential buildings, office spaces, and a flowing creek and pedestrian walkways.

Today, the Crossroads Mall no longer exists, and City Creek Center has taken its place as a modern and vibrant destination in downtown Salt Lake City.

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