Science

On November 27, 1932, the Bixby Creek Bridge opened on the Big Sur coast of California. It was the longest concrete arch span in California and the highest single-span arch bridge in the world at the time of its completion.

On November 21, 1964, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge first opened to traffic.  It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, and remains the longest bridge in America today.

Crawford Williamson Long was born on November 1, 1815, in Danielsville, Georgia. Long became the first person to use ether on a patient in surgery and the publication of his findings lead to its widespread use among other doctors.

John Dewey was born on October 20, 1859, in Burlington, Vermont.  A philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, he proposed educational theories that shaped education in America in the 20th century.

Stage and screen actress Helen Hayes was born on October 10, 1900, in Washington, DC.  Dubbed “The First Lady of the American Theater,” she’s one of just 16 people to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards (often referred to as EGOTs).

On September 30, 1889, the first building of the Mayo Clinic opened to the public.  Today its one of the world’s largest medical centers and the top-ranked hospital in the US.

On September 29, 1841, New York held the first state fair in the US. Today it’s the oldest and one of the most highly attended of all US state fairs.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) was founded on September 20, 1848, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It grew to become the world’s largest general scientific society with more than 120,000 members.

Major Walter Reed, M.D., was born on September 13, 1851, in Belroi, Gloucester County, Virginia.  Reed confirmed the theory that yellow fever was spread by particular mosquito species.  This led to decreased cases and a treatment, which ultimately saved countless lives in the building of the Panama Canal.