Inventor, Thomas Edison Dies - This Day in History – Oct 18th

Back in 1931, Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of numerous areas of communications, utilities, and power died on this day in West Orange, NJ at the age of 84.

Mr. Edison’s inventions include the following:

• Improved the Universal Stock Ticker and the Unison Device
• Assisted Sholes, the inventor of the typewriter
•   Constructed the first electric motor
•   Wireless telegraphy
• Improved the phonograph

Note: a timeline of his inventions can be found at: http://www.thomasedison.com/Inventions.htm

His inventions have forever, changed society for the good.  According to thomasedison.com, “Recognizing that his death marked the end of an era in the progress of civilization, countless individuals, communities, and corporations throughout the world dimmed their lights and, or, briefly turned off their electric power in his honor on the evening of the day he was laid to rest at his beautiful estate at Glenmont, New Jersey.”

U.S. purchases Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million

Back in 1867, The U.S. made it official and took possession of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, less than two cents an acre.  The Secretary of State, William Henry Seward, helped to complete this historic transaction.  He served under President Andrew Johnson.

According to history.com, “Russia wanted to sell its Alaska territory, which was remote, sparsely populated and difficult to defend, to the U.S. rather than risk losing it in battle with a rival such as Great Britain.” 

Alaska became the 49th state in 1959 and is now a vast natural resource of oil at 25% of and seafood at 50%.

Special note from history.com, “The name Alaska is derived from the Aleut word alyeska, which means "great land." Alaska has two official state holidays to commemorate its origins: Seward's Day, observed the last Monday in March, celebrates the March 30, 1867, signing of the land treaty between the U.S. and Russia, and Alaska Day, observed every October 18, marks the anniversary of the formal land transfer.”

Puerto Rico is secured as U.S. Property 

Back in 1898, American troops invaded Puerto Rico near the end of the Spanish-American War and thus took authority over the one million inhabitants.

According to history.com, “Beginning in 1948, Puerto Ricans could elect their own governor, and in 1952 the U.S. Congress approved a new Puerto Rican constitution that made the island an autonomous U.S. commonwealth, with its citizens retaining American citizenship. The constitution was formally adopted by Puerto Rico on July 25, 1952.

Movements for Puerto Rican statehood, along with lesser movements for Puerto Rican independence, have won supporters on the island, but popular referendums in 1967 and 1993 demonstrated that the majority of Puerto Ricans still supported their special status as a U.S. commonwealth.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-takes-possession-of-alaska

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