It's been fun watching the Olympics in Paris the last few weeks, so, for today's mini episode I decided to tell you about one of my favorite Olympic history moments--the 1904 Olympic Marathon in St. Louis, Missouri. I think you're going to laugh and cry with this story. That is to say, you might cry from laughing so hard.

SOURCES

Abbott, Karen. “The 1904 Olympic Marathon May Have Been the Strangest Ever.” Smithsonian.com, August 7, 2012. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-1904-olympic-marathon-may-have-been-the-strangest-ever-14910747/.

“Americans Seeking to Receive Classic Honors In Marathon Race Today.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, Missouri), August 30, 1904. www.newspapers.com.

“Andarín Carvajal.” Wikipedia, July 3, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andar%C3%ADn_Carvajal.

“Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics – Men’s Marathon.” Wikipedia, June 3, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1904_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_marathon#:~:text=His%20ostensible%20reason%20was%20to,the%20second%2Dslowest%20winning%20time.

Felix Carvajal. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/felix-carvajal.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

On February 20, 1962, history was made when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. He instantly became a national hero. But, it wasn't the only thing making headlines that day. What else was being reported?

SOURCES

“Accused Slayer Leaves Hospital, Is Recaptured.” Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico), November 23, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Advertisement (Page 3): West Coast Air.” The Idaho Statesman (Boise, Idaho), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “The People Pray.” Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, Missouri), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “Zoo Snake Attacker Is Arrested.” Mt. Vernon Register-News (Mt. Vernon, Illinois), February 19, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Biography.com Editors. “John Glenn.” Biography.com, May 6, 2021. https://www.biography.com/scientists/john-glenn.

Butler, Chris. “Glenn Orbits In Shot Heard Around World.” Orlando Evening Star (Orlando, Florida), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Cold War U-2 Pilot Gets Posthumous Silver Star.” Air Force. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://www.af.mil/News/Article Display/Article/110999/cold-war-u-2-pilot-gets-posthumous-silver-star/.

“Francis Gary Powers.” Wikipedia, June 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Gary_Powers.

Hudson, Don. “Ruiz Found Insane, Sent to Hospital.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), October 26, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

Jenkins, Jay. “It’s No Lie Sam -- You’re Going Free.” The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, North Carolina), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“John Glenn Becomes First American to Orbit Earth | February 20, 1962.” History.com. Accessed June 12,

McADA, Bill. “Ruiz Admits Impossible Burch Slaying.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

McADA, Bill. “Ruiz Admits Impossible Burch Slaying.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Pilot Agrees to Lie Detectors In Probe By Intelligent Agents.” The Macon News (Macon, Georgia), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“Seven Take French Leave From Hospital.” The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico), November 25, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

“U-2 Overflights and the Capture of Francis Gary Powers, 1960.” U.S. Department of State. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/u2-incident.

United Press International. “Smashed Cages.” Evansville Press (Evansville, Indiana), February 20, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

United Press International. “Youth Admits Killing Woman in Santa Fe.” The Albuquerque Tribune (Albuquerque, New Mexico), September 29, 1961. www.newspapers.com.

United Press International. “Zombie Man Rips Into Snake Cages.” The Lebanon Daily Record (Lebanon, Missouri), February 19, 1962. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

On March 15, 1848, something that had happened two months earlier was finally reported in a newspaper for the first time. It only made it into one newspaper, but that was all that was needed to announce that gold had been found in California. That announcement sparked the California Gold Rush and changed history.

SOURCES

“Advertisements (Front age).” The Californian (San Francisco, California), March 15, 1848. www.newspapers.com.

“The Annual Message of the President of the United States to the Thirtieth Congress.” The New York Herald (New York, New York), December 6, 1848. www.newspapers.com.

“The Bermondsey Horror: History Blog UK.” The Ministry Of History History Blog UK Europe. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://www.theministryofhistory.co.uk/short-histories-blog/bermondsey-horror.

“A Big Snake Excitement.” The

“The Californian (1840s Newspaper).” Wikipedia, November 26, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Californian_(1840s_newspaper).

“The Discovery of Gold: Early California History: An Overview: Articles and Essays: California as I Saw

“Gold Rush: California, Date & Sutter’s Mill.” History.com. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/gold-rush-of-1849.

“The Great Russellville Snake.” Buffalo Courier Express (Buffalo, New York), March 22, 1849. www.newspapers.com.

“Marie Manning (Murderer).” Wikipedia, April 11, 2024.

McEneaney, Cian. “Changing Attitudes toward Irish Canadians: The Impact of the 1847 Famine Influx in the

“A Monster Snake.” The Hull Packet and East Riding Times (Hull, East Yorkshire, England), January 12, 1849. www.newspapers.com.

“Mortality of Immigrants to Canada.” Daily National Intelligencer (Washington D. C.), January 24, 1848. www.newspapers.com.

“The Murder at Bermondsey.” The Observer (London, Greater London, England), September 3, 1849. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Since today's episode is a mini episode, there isn't just one specific day for the title. The subject, however, is premature obituaries. I've got a bunch of crazy stories for you--and all of them have to do with times that deaths were reported while people were actually still alive. Enjoy!

“5 People Who Read Their Own Premature Obituary.” Beyond the Dash, November 25, 2019. https://beyondthedash.com/blog/obituary-writing/people-who-read-their-premature-obituary/7378.

Baker, Russell W. “London Press Overlooked Durability of Hemingway.” The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), January 26, 1954. www.newspapers.com.

“Cannibal Holocaust.” Wikipedia, June 9, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibal_Holocaust.

“Ernest Hemingway .” Biography.com. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/ernest-hemingway.

“Hemingway Lost In Plane Crash.” The Daily Herald (London, London, England), January 25, 1954. www.newspapers.com.

“Luca Barbareschi.” The Movie Database. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55650-luca-barbareschi?language=en-US.

“Mark Twain Seriously Ill.” The Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), June 1, 1897. www.newspapers.com.

“Mark Twain.” Wikipedia, June 10, 2024.

“Mr. Hemingway’s Escapes In Two Plane Crashes.” The Guardian (London, England), January 26, 1954. www.newspapers.com.

“Snap Shots.” Lancaster New Era (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), October 8, 1897. www.newspapers.com.

“Twain’s Famous 1897 Quote: The Back Story.” Media Myth Alert, June 1, 2010. https://mediamythalert.com/2010/06/01/twains-famous-1897-quote-the-back-story/.

White, Frank Marshall. “Mark Twain Well.” The Buffalo Evening News (Buffalo, New York), June 1, 1897. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

On December 19, 1998, something happened that hadn't happened in the United States in more than a hundred years. President Bill Clinton was officially impeached. Even though newspapers all over the world were printing articles about impeachment, it wasn't the only thing being reported that day. What other crazy things made the news?

SOURCES

Associated Press. “Convicted Child Molester a Suspect in 1998 Disappearance of 8-Year-Old.” Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), November 15, 1998 www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “Molester a Suspect in Missing Child Case.” Albany Democrat-Herald (Albany, Oregon), November 14, 1998. www.newspapers.com.

Barnard, Jeff. “Mom of Missing Boy Thanks Searchers, Tells Them to Go Home to Their Families.” Sentinel-Tribune (Bowling Green, Ohio), December 19, 1998. www.newspapers.com.

Barnard, Jeff. “Still No Sign of 8 Year Old Lost in Snowy Wilderness.” The World (Coos Bay, Oregon), December 9, 1998. www.newspapers.com.

Blanco, Juan Ignacio. “Andrew Lavern Smith.” Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers. Accessed

Bunyan, Nigel, and Will Bennett. “1 Million Pound Shakespeare Folio Stolen in University Raid.” The Daily Telegraph (London, England), December 19, 1998.

Burrin, Elliot, and Will Dixon. “Stolen Shakespeare: The Story of Durham’s First Folio.” Palatinate, April 23, 2020.

“Disappearance of Derrick Engebretson.” Wikipedia, February 3, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Derrick Engebretson.

“Nokia Cell Phone Ad (Page 7).” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 19, 1998. www.newspapers.com.

Pratt, Mark. “500th Execution Since 1977 Held.” Republican and Herald (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), December 19, 1998. www.newspapers.com.

“President Clinton Impeached | December 19, 1998.” History.com. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-clinton-impeached.

“Raymond Scott Guilty of Handling Stolen Folio of Shakespeare’s Plays.” The Guardian, July 9, 2010.

StrangeOutdoors. “The Strange Disappearance of Derrick Engebretson from the Winema National Forest.”

“The Trail Went Cold - Episode 254 - Derrick Engebretson & Kurt Newton.” Spotify, December 8, 2021. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sJ99C6zqmxqqaQA6HUC9y.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

In honor of Flag Day this week, I decided to make an episode about something written in honor of the flag of the United States of America--The Star Spangled Banner. Why was it written and when was it officially adopted as out national anthem? And, as always, I have three great additional history stories that go along with the famous date.

SOURCES

.“When an Actress Disappears...” Let’s Misbehave: A Tribute to Precode Hollywood, January 1, 1970. http://www.precodemisbehaving.com/2016/02/.

Associated Press. “Athlete May Die For Death of Young Girl.” Valley Morning Star (Harlingen, Texas), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “Term of One to Ten Years For Kirkland.” Carbondale Free Press (Carbondale, Illinois), May 27, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “‘Star-Spangled Banner’ Voted National Anthem.” Stockton Evening and Sunday Record (Stockton, California), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

“Camel Cigarettes: Contest Announcement (Page 5).” The Albany Democrat-Herald (Albany, Oregon), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

“Edna Mae Cooper Is Still Missing.” The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), February 28, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

“Edna Mae Cooper, Girl Flyer, Vanishes From Coast Home.” The Brooklyn Daily Times (Brooklyn, New York), February 26, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

“Facsimile of First Newspaper Printing of the Star Spangled Banner.” Library of Congress. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/resource/ihas.100010479.0.

“Five Attacker’s In Gary Girl’s Death to Be Arraigned Today.” The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana), December 2, 1930. www.newspapers.com.

Francis Scott key: Biography, Lawyer, Star-Spangled Banner writer. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/francis-scott-key.

McNamara, Joseph. “Body of Evidence.” The Daily News (New York, New York), October 3, 1993. www.newspapers.com.

The Ninety-Nines, Inc. “Our History: Women in Aviation History - Bobbi Trout.” The Ninety-Nines, Inc. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.ninety-nines.org/bobbi trout.htm.

“Pictorial Story of Murder in Which Dead Woman’s Handshake Figures.” Valley Morning Star (Harlingen, Texas), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

reprinted from The Wichita Beacon. “Where Is Your Child To-Night?” The Winchester Star (Winchester, Kansas), April 17, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

Smithsonian Institution. “Star-Spangled Banner.” Smithsonian Institution. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://www.si.edu/spotlight/flag-day/banner-facts#:~:text=After%20several%20decades%20of%20attempts,Hoover%20on%20March%203%2C%201931.

United Press. “Athlete Acts Out the Fatal Scene.” Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) , March 6, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

United Press. “Coroner’s Jury Finds That Victim Died Following Criminal Attack.” The Indianapolis Times (Indianapolis, Indiana), December 1, 1930. www.newspapers.com.

United Press. “Five Are Accused in Death of Girl.” The Times (Indianapolis, Indiana), December 1, 1930. www.newspapers.com.

United Press. “Mystery Cloaks Finding Missing Endurance Flyer.” The Montana Standard (Butte, Montana), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

“William Frazer Will Face Murder Charge.” The Gaffney Ledger (Gaffney, South Carolina), March 3, 1931. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

It's another random clippings episode! This is an episode where I gather random short stories I've clipped from newspapers. The years and dates have nothing to do with each other like in my full size episodes. Enjoy!

SOURCES

Associated Press. “WomanSays She Is Sick of Talking.” The Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin), August 21, 1959. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “Woman Skids On Bath Soap Through Window.” The Tribune/The Scranton Republican (Scranton, Pennsylvania), May 2, 1934. www.newspapers.com.

“Burns Received During Play Are Fatal To Child.” The Kilgore News Herald (Kilgore, Texas), April 15, 1935.

“Kidnapper’s Child Maimed.” The New York Times (New York City, New York), August 14, 1914. www.newspapers.com.

“Man Mistaken As Robber Is Slain By Illinois Policeman.” The Winchester Sun (Winchester, Kentucky), December 21, 1937. www.newspapers.com.

“Manor Woman Freezes To Death After Fall.” The Austin American (Austin, Texas), February 14, 1929. www.newspapers.com.

“Penny Each For Children When Mother Quit.” The Times (Brooklyn, New York), August 18, 1933. www.newspapers.com.

United Press. “Wet Is Actually Wet.” The Wichita Beacon (Wichita, Kansas), January 25, 1933. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.”

InspectorJ. “Bell, Candle Damper A (H4n).wav.” November 17, 2017. www.freesound.org.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

On August 16, 1977, the nation was shocked when the evening headlines were sent out. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll was dead. What else was being reported on such a tragic day?

SOURCES

“Advertisement: RCA Televisions (Page 2).” The Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

Associated Press. “N. Y. Grand Jury Indicts Berkowitz in Slaying.” The Daily Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

“Biography.” Graceland. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.graceland.com/biography.

Blanco, Juan Ignacio. “Herbert Lee Richardson: Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers.” Herbert

“Bomb Kills Girl Here; Man Sought In Death.” The Dothan Eagle (Dothan, Alabama), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

“David Berkowitz.” Wikipedia, February 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz.

Ehrlich, Ken. “Portrait Is Saco Man’s Hope for Elvis Meeting.” Journal Tribune (Biddeford, Maine), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

“Elvis Presley Dies.” The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

“Lost Graveyard Haunts Park Developer.” Tri-City Herald (Pasco, Washington), August 16, 1977. www.newspapers.com.

“Old Almshouse Cemetery.” Rootsweb. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://sites.rootsweb.com/~paerie/cemeteries/almshouse.htm.

“Richardson v. State.” Justia Law. Accessed February 5, 2024. https://law.justia.com/cases/alabama/court-of-appeals-criminal/1978/376-so-2d-205-0.html.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Steph Distasio, and Colton Kruse. “Bizarre Elvis Facts That Will Leave You All Shook Up.” Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, November 17, 2023.

“The Rise of the Son of Sam.” Psychology Today. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/202310/the-rise-of-the-son-of-sam.

Whole. The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness 1, no. 1. Netflix, May 5, 2021. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

On February 21, 1885, an event that was more than 100 years in the making finally happened--the Washington Monument was dedicated. What else was happening around the country (and even in Washington D. C.) on that very special day?

SOURCES

“5 Things You Might Not Know about the Washington Monument.” History.com. Accessed December 21, 2023.

“Asylum in Flames.” Harrisburg Daily Independent (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), February 13, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“Fatal Explosion.” Savannah Morning News (Savannah, Georgia), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“History & Culture.” National Parks Service. Accessed December 21, 2023.

“The Monument.” The Evening Star (Washington D. C.), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“Nurse Schroeder Discharged.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 3, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

Roberts, Jay. “Blood on the Snow: The 1885 Railroad Disaster at Four Mile Run.” Jaybirds Jottings, May 1, 2021.

“Shot and Killed.” Nashville Banner (Nashville, Tennessee), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“Three Killed In A Sleeper.” Savannah Morning News (Savannah, Georgia), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“The Virginia Railroad Wreck.” The Saint Paul Globe (Saint Paul, Minnesota), February 21, 1885.

“The Work of Fiends.” Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

“The Work of Jealousy.” The Ottawa Daily Republic (Ottawa, Kansas), February 21, 1885. www.newspapers.com.

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Sophie Tucker. “Reuben Rag.” www.pixabay.com/music.

Today I've got three Christmas miracles or you. All of them are historical, and all of them were printed about in newspapers after they happened. But, most importantly, all of them will leave you with a warm feeling this holiday season.

SOURCES

Arnold, Oren. “Six-Day Old Baby Found In Hatbox In Arizona Desert Christmas Eve...” The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee), December 18, 1932. www.newspapers.com.

Baker, Edna. “A Christmas Miracle.” Edmonton Journal (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), December 22, 1928. www.newspapers.com.

Duncan, Bob. “‘Meredith Victory’ Credited With Saving 14,000 Koreans.” Winston-Salem Journal (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), February 14, 1951. www.newspapers.com.

D’Anna, John. “‘Hatbox Baby’ Sharon Elliott, Who Spent Years Trying to Solve Old Arizona Mystery, Dies at 86.” The Arizona Republic, December 5, 2018. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-best-reads/2018/12/04/hatbox-baby-sharon-elliott-arizona-mystery-dies-86/2204741002/.

D’Anna, John. “‘miracle’ Baby Found on Roadside Is One of Arizona’s Great Mysteries. Will New Clues Solve It?[All of 10 Chapter Series].” The Arizona Republic, December 24, 2018.

Hall, Warren. “Dedicated Skipper.” Fort Lauderdale News (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), December 18, 1960. www.newspapers.com.

“Leonard LaRue.” Wikipedia, November 27, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_LaRue.

Lucey, Danielle. “Highlighting Our Heroes: Capt. Leonard Larue.” Navy League of the United States, July 8, 2021.

Oliver, Myrna. “Leonard LaRue, Who Rescued 14,000 Refugees, Dies at 87.” The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California), October 22, 2001. www.newspapers.com.

Wiki, Contributors to Unsolved Mysteries. “The Hatbox Baby.” Unsolved Mysteries Wiki. Accessed December

SOUND SOURCES

Al Jolson. “I’ll Say She Does.” www.pixabay.com/music. 

Lucille Hegamin and The Dixie Daisies. “Cold Winter Blues.” www.pixabay.com/music.

InspectorJ. “Bell, Candle Damper A (H4n).wav.” November 17, 2017. www.freesound.org.