December 1 Today is Sunday, December 1, 2013. This is the 335th day of the year, with 30 days remaining in 2013. Fact of the Day: Old Faithful Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in the world, but not the highest or most regular. Located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Old Faithful reaches heights of 106 to 184 feet. Eruption intervals range from 65 to 92 minutes with 91 minutes being the average, and each eruption lasts from 90 seconds to 5 minutes. Old Faithful erupts 15 times per day and spews out between 3,700 and 8,400 gallons of hot water. It was named in 1879 by members of the Washburn Expedition for the regularity of its eruptions. The Steamboat Geyser is the tallest geyser in the world and is also located in Yellowstone National Park. It can reach a height of over 300 feet, but its eruptions are rare and unpredictable. Events 1640 - Portugal regained its independence, driving out the Spaniards. 1880 - A telephone was first installed in the White House. 1913 - In Pittsburgh, the first drive-in automobile service station opened for business. It was operated by the Gulf Refining Company. 1922 - Skywriting was introduced when a pilot flew over New York City and spelled out hello. 1939 - The movie Gone With the Wind premiered in New York City. 1942 - Gas rationing went into effect in the United States, as a result of World War II. 1953 - The first issue of Playboy magazine was published by Hugh Hefner; it featured Marilyn Monroe as the centerfold. 1959 - Twelve countries, including the United States, signed a treaty setting aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, free from military activity. 1965 - An airlift of refugees from Cuba to the United States began in which thousands of Cubans were allowed to leave their homeland. 1969 - The United States held its first draft lottery since World War II. 1989 - Pope John Paul II and Mikhail Gorbachev met in Rome, ending 70 years of hostility between the Vatican and the USSR. 1990 - The island of Britain was connected to the European mainland for the first time since the Ice Age when a rail tunnel was completed between them. 1991 - Ukrainians voted for independence from the Soviet Union. 2004 - Tom Brokaw signed off NBC Nightly News for the last time as principal anchor.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 10:34:46 +0000
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