I’ll be posting a few fun little things that happened on this day in history. I’ll also add my own commentary to the mix now and then as well.

Note: Not all events will be pleasant, but I promise to throw in as many quirky and pleasant ones as I can to balance.

February 19th

1878- Thomas Edison is granted a patent for is gramophone.

1945- US 5th Fleet launches invasion of Iwo Jima against the Japanese with 30,000 US Marines.

1736- George Frideric Handel’s “Alexander’s Feast” premieres at the Convent Garden Theatre, London

1803- US congress accepts Ohio’s constitution, statehood not ratified until 1953.

1807- US Vice President Aaron Barr arrested in Alabama for treason, later acquited.

1819- British Explorer William Smith discovers the South Shetland Islands, and claims them in the name of King George III

1846- Texas State government formally installed in Austin.

1856- Tin-Type camera patented by Hamilton Smith, Gambler Ohio

1881- Kansas becomes the first state to prohibit all alcoholic beverages

1910- Typhoid Mary (Mary Mallon) is freed from her first periods of forced isolation and goes on to cause several furter outbreaks of typhoid in the New York area.

1913- First prize inserted into a Cracker Jack box.

1932- William Faulkner completes his novel, “Light in August”.

Source: On This Day