October 21, 1797…The U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, was launched in Boston harbor. October 21, 1805…Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson/1st Viscount Nelson of the Royal Navy died three hours after being shot during the Battle of Trafalgar. He was 47. October 21, 1849…In New York City, the first tattooed man, James F. OConnell, was put on exhibition at the Franklin Theatre. October 21, 1858…In Paris, the Can-Can dance was performed for the first time. The high-energy music hall dance is traditionally performed by a chorus line of female dancers who wear long skirts, petticoats, and black stockings. The main feature of the dance is the lifting up of the skirts, accompanied by high kicking and somewhat suggestive, provocative body movements. October 21, 1879…Thomas Edison invented the electric incandescent lamp. It could be used for 13½ hours before burning out. October 21, 1908…In an advertisement appearing in the Saturday Evening Post, the Columbia label promoted the first two-sided vinyl record for sale.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:58:05 +0000