circa 1945: A portrait of the Brooklyn Dodgers' infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Saturday • July 30, 2022
Do you know what you’re watching this weekend? With an overwhelming amount of content to choose from, many TV shows never make it past their first season. But the series that manage to stand the test of time and the ever-changing tastes of audiences have something extra special about them. In recognition of some truly historic content, Mental Floss has just released a list of the 45 longest-running programs of all time. It includes titles like Saturday Night Live and General Hospital, which are still airing new episodes after 46 and 59 years, respectively. See if your favorite shows made the list here.
Museum Celebrating Jackie Robinson’s Life and Legacy Opens in New York
After more than 14 years of planning, a museum commemorating baseball legend Jackie Robinson has opened in New York City. A large crowd of athletes, sports fans, and politicians came out for the grand opening earlier this week, but the most notable among them was the star player’s 100-year-old widow, Rachel. She participated in the festivities along with the couple’s children, David and Sharon, to honor Robinson, who was the first Black man to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.
The museum contains 40,000 historical images, over 4,500 artifacts saved by Robinson’s friends and family, and more than 450 hours of video footage highlighting his baseball career and dedication to civil rights. Jackie Robinson Foundation President Della Britton said Rachel “wanted a fixed tribute to her husband, where people could come and learn about him, but also be inspired.” David, now 70, believes his father would have been proud. He said: “I think today Jackie Robinson would say I accept this honor, but I accept this honor on behalf of something far beyond my individual self, far beyond my family, far beyond even my race.”
Nonprofit “I Want To Mow Your Lawn” Does Yard Work for Those Who Can’t
A maintained lawn is not only visually appealing, but it also has many environmental benefits, such as reducing high temperatures, improving flood control, and preventing erosion. For those who are unable to do the often laborious task themselves, the nonprofit I Want To Mow Your Lawn is here to help. The national organization connects background-screened landscaping volunteers with seniors, military veterans, and people with disabilities to provide free lawn care. “Whether it’s one time a year or one time a week, it makes a difference,” founder Brian Schwartz told WDTN.
Schwartz started I Want To Mow Your Lawn, which is fully funded by donations, shortly after losing his job when the pandemic started. “It was just a stressful time and I just went out to mow my own lawn and then decided to help neighbors just to keep myself busy while helping others,” he recalled. Since its establishment in 2020, the grassroots movement has adopted “green” alternative lawn care practices and offers eco-friendly equipment upgrades to volunteers. With over 230 volunteers spanning 39 states, Schwartz has plans to further expand the organization’s footprint and continue mowing lawns for those in need.
How a Tiny Island Changed Canada and Cartography Forever
Located off the northeastern coast of Labrador, Canada, Landsat Island is so tiny that it can’t even be seen on Google Maps. Measuring 82 feet wide by 148 feet long — about half the size of a football field — the atoll is home only to polar bears. Despite its small size, though, the rocky piece of land made history when it was initially discovered by cartographer and pilot Elizabeth Fleming as part of a Canadian coastal survey in 1973.
Fleming spotted the minuscule island while reviewing data collected by NASA’s first Earth-observing satellite, which eventually became known as Landsat 1 and gave the isle its name. When the satellite picked up the island’s spectral signature from more than 500 miles above, Canada gained 26.25 square miles of land. An in-person expedition confirmed the island’s existence and location in 1976, verifying the data and Fleming’s discovery. Terry Sohl, a researcher with the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, told National Geographic: “It just totally changed the field of cartography.”
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Congressional leaders unveiled a new statue of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart in the U.S. Capitol to celebrate her barrier-breaking life and career.
Two best friends, who have reunited at the same photo booth every five years to recreate the shot they snapped as kids, just took their 50th anniversary picture.
The U.S. Postal Service will be releasing new “forever” stamps featuring the James Webb Space Telescope in September. See the design and find out how to pre-order here.
Meet the 8-year-old boy who is cycling 1,100 miles to raise money for his favorite animals, hedgehogs.
Tomorrow is National Avocado Day and Chipotle is celebrating by selling guacamole for just 1 cent.
When Alex Trebek died in November 2020, he left big shoes to fill for the next host of Jeopardy!. After more than a year of relying on guest hosts, the popular syndicated game show has officially named two entertainers to permanently take the helm: Big Bang Theory alum Mayim Bialik (pictured above) and former Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings. “We have so much Jeopardy! to make, and so many plans for the future,” executive producer Michael Davies wrote in a note to fans. He added: “We are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed.” (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)
Quote of the Day
“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnified world in itself.”
If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, here’s another reason to book those flights: the city’s Geranium restaurant has topped the newly released list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Geranium, which became the first Danish restaurant to earn three Michelin stars in 2016, is currently focusing on local seafood and vegetables after the pandemic prompted head chef Rasmus Kofoed to overhaul the menu. “It’s all that we could dream of,” Kofoed said of the best restaurant honor. See which other spots made the 2022 list.
Today’s News
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Culture
Buzz Aldrin Auctions Off Space Memorabilia, Including His Moon Landing Jacket
Almost exactly 53 years after Buzz Aldrin became the second person to ever set foot on the moon, some of the memorabilia from his famed trip is up for the taking. The 92-year-old is auctioning off the jacket he wore during the moon landing as well as a series of other personal items and artifacts from his long career as an astronaut. Sotheby’s, which will host the auction on July 26, called Aldrin’s items “the most important Space Exploration collection to come to market.”
The jacket is estimated to sell for up to $2 million, as is a circuit breaker switch that broke during the moon mission. The switch is being sold alongside the pen that Aldrin used in its place to ignite the engine and get him and fellow explorer Neil Armstrong home safe. “After deep consideration, the time felt right to share these items with the world, which for many are symbols of a historical moment, but for me have always remained personal mementos of a life dedicated to science and exploration,” Aldrin said in a statement, per CNN. “I hope that this collection offers some insight into what it has been like to be Buzz Aldrin.”
How Sea Turtles Are Helping Researchers Predict Tropical Cyclones
Dozens of cyclones form each year over the world’s tropical oceans, and according to NASA, such storms pose “one of the biggest threats to life and property.” Unfortunately, they are also hard to predict, especially in the cyclone-prone Indian Ocean, which is why researcher Olivier Bousquet has put sea turtles to work. Bousquet started STORM (Sea Turtles for Ocean Research and Monitoring) with 15 turtles in 2019, and the program has taken off, leading to a wealth of data that will help predict future cyclones.
In the past, scientists have tagged other marine creatures, like seals, to collect data in hard-to-reach ocean ecosystems. After testing out a series of animals, Bousquet landed on sea turtles for several reasons. The turtles are heavy enough to carry the satellite sensors, and they tend to dwell in the area of the ocean — about 25 to 200 meters deep — where the energy for cyclones comes from. This year, STORM released 80 tagged turtles, and Bousquet plans to keep going. He told Hakai Magazine that with “a little bit of luck,” they will be able to time the turtles’ release to retrieve data from the heart of a cyclone. And fear not: the sturdy animals are well-equipped to survive the storms.
World’s Largest Vertical Farm Will Serve Up Fresh Greens on Emirates Flights
If you have an upcoming flight with Emirates anytime soon, the salad served with your meal may be coming from the world’s largest vertical farm. The Dubai-based facility, called Bustanica, will produce more than 2 million pounds of leafy greens each year, and use 95% less water than traditional farming. According to a press release, the reduced water usage is thanks to a closed-loop system that will circulate water through the plants, maximizing efficiency. As the water evaporates, it is recovered and then recycled back into the system.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline’s chairman and chief executive, said the vertical farm is especially useful in the United Arab Emirates, given the country’s dry climate. “Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies,” he added in a statement. In addition to contributing to Emirates in-flight catering starting this month, the greens will soon be available in local Dubai grocery stores — and there are plans to expand to fruits and vegetables in the future.
Watch four wild bison roam the U.K. forest for the first time in thousands of years.
Jake Wightman won the 1500 meter final at the World Athletics Championships while his dad — a former runner himself — cheered him on as the in-stadium commentator.
A good night’s sleep has been added to the American Heart Association’s list of factors that are important to heart health.
An Italian 98-year-old has graduated with a masters degree two years after completing his undergraduate career, upholding his title as the country’s oldest student.
Colonel Sanders’ house is up for sale. Check out the interior of this piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken history here.
Meet Emmanuel: the emu who has gone viral for his tendency to put himself front and center whenever his caretaker, Taylor Blake, tries to record videos at Knuckle Bump Farms in South Florida. Blake’s hilarious videos of the animal knocking over her phone (despite her constant cries of, “Emmanuel, don’t do it!”) have earned the farm more than 1 million followers on TikTok. “You changed my life, bud,” Blake recently wrote alongside a sweet photo of her and Emmanuel. (Photo Credit: Knuckle Bump Farms / Instagram)
We’re used to seeing movie stars and reading about science fiction characters who travel back through time to bygone eras, but you don’t need futuristic technology to experience something similar. The U.S. is full of towns that have stayed true to their customs and lifestyles as the years have gone by. So next time you have the urge to escape the fast-paced city life, consider these wonderful towns scattered across the country.
Cape May, New Jersey
Credit: Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
Cape May is a traditional seaside town set at the southern tip of New Jersey. It’s famous for its collection of over 600 well-preserved Victorian buildings, which give it a strong late 19th-century charm. A stroll along Washington Street Mall, where colorful brick and wooden landmarks house boutiques and ice cream parlors, is a must.
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
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Antique dealers, independent fashion boutiques, local bookstores, and vintage sweet shops give this Ohio village an old-fashioned feel. When walking along Main Street you can easily imagine the entire community coming out to celebrate annual cultural events, like art and film festivals. Chagrin Falls straddles a namesake waterfall and the Chagrin River, making it one of the prettiest places here.
Cooperstown, New York
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Life moves at its own laid-back pace in upstate New York, an ethos epitomized by the 2,000 residents of lakeside Cooperstown. Revered as the setting for the works of novelist James Fenimore Cooper, whose father incidentally founded the town, Cooperstown has multiple claims to fame. It’s also home to The National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum and Doubleday Field baseball park, which maintains the same atmosphere as it has since baseball’s golden age. There are superb brewpubs, cafes, and delis to retreat to after soaking up everything else the town has to offer.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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The Amish are the masters of clinging to their roots and there are more than 50 thriving Amish communities spread throughout Pennsylvania, but Lancaster County is home to the country’s oldest and largest of them all. Expect to see horse-drawn carriages roll past lush green pastures dotted with windmills, and for more ideas, visit Discover Lancaster.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
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While cruising across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island, you’ll appreciate why everyone breathes a heavy sigh of relief when they arrive here. From the clapboard buildings to the vintage storefronts and pristine lawns, everything is picture-perfect. Cars are banned in this island village, so you’ll be getting around by foot, bike, or even horseback. Should the smell of fudge shops, serenity of wooded trails, and sound of crickets at night and birdsong in the morning excite you, then plan a visit.
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
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Miners flocked to Mineral Point from Cornwall, England, in the 1840s in search of lead. They built homes, such as Pendarvis House, that today wouldn’t look out of place in a remote Cornish village. The town center’s architectural landscape resembles part Cornish town, part Gold Rush settlement. You can feast on hearty Cornish pasties and figgyhobbin at cafes and try Celtic crafts at the fall Cornish Fest.
Sonoma, California
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This city surrounded by the sprawling vineyards of the Sonoma Valley was the first in the U.S. to receive the Cittaslow Slow City status. Tree-lined Sonoma Plaza is a colonial masterpiece and hosts the delightful Sonoma Plaza Market every Tuesday evening. If you love shopping for locally-sourced and organic goods then this is the place to be. Meanwhile, frontier-style buildings double up as cafes, gourmet restaurants, and saloons. And way from the plaza, you can sip wine at over 100 different bodegas all within five minutes.
Tombstone, Arizona
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Live out all of your Wild West dreams in Tombstone, Arizona, the location of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Cowboys, cowgirls, and wannabes fill up the town’s saloons and the O.K. Corral museum puts on reenactments of Wyatt Earp’s 1881 shootout. The buildings are so well maintained that at times it’s easy to think you’ve landed on a John Wayne movie set.
Williamsburg, Virginia
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When in Williamsburg, head to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area to be transported to an American Revolution-era town. You’ll encounter men dressed in red coats carrying muskets and people trotting past elegant brick buildings via horse and carriage. You’ll see tradespeople carrying out apothecary, bindery, and blacksmithing tasks. You can even join in 18th-century games on a village green.
Yellow Springs, Ohio
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A group of around 100 families, who were avid supporters of Robert Owen’s utopian socialism movement, founded Yellow Springs in 1825. Their mission was to recreate the cooperative philosophy of New Harmony, Indiana. Although it didn’t quite come to fruition, the village still upholds a free-thinking, blissed out spirit. You’ll get the idea once you see the tie-dye dressed residents hopping between hippy-ish cafes and street fairs.
From as early as he can remember Bradley was road-tripping across the UK, France and Spain with his family. Since then he’s visited 40-plus countries and lived on four continents. Today he divides his time between Buenos Aires and the beaches of Punta del Este, Uruguay and puts his wanderlust to good use by writing about his travels.
Here are some of the most patriotic places in the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” Whether they directly served the nation’s Founding Fathers, or played another defining role in American history, these spots will have you singing the “Star Spangled Banner” in no time.
1. Independence Hall, Philadelphia
To kick things off we’re taking it back to the very brick and mortar building where America was born. Both the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were penned and adopted at Independence Hall. Today a UNESCO Heritage Site, the building is a museum dedicated to the values the nation was founded on. Learn about the history of the colonies’ rebellion, and the first steps of constructing the nation. Peek at the Liberty Bell next door, or try reciting the Preamble from heart. Just don’t try stealing anything (looking at you Nick Cage).
2. Pearl Harbor, Oahu
One of the greatest tragedies in American history occurred in one of the most beautiful locations in the nation. Pearl Habor is home to a fantastic museum and monument to the soldiers who lost their lives in the December 7th attack. Exploring the USS Arizona memorial allows you to truly feel this dark moment in history, and the accompanying museum teaches you about the actions leading up to and resulting from this tragic day.
3. Freedom Trail, Boston
This 2.5-mile, red brick road links several notable buildings in Boston that played important roles in the nation’s history. From museums to churches, cemeteries and meeting halls, the path lets you walk in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers while appreciating Boston’s lively atmosphere firsthand. Spend the day exploring these historical sites, then go throw some tea in the harbor. #America.
4. Fort McHenry, Baltimore
Set along the coast of Baltimore, Maryland, Fort McHenry has been an important fortress since its construction in the 1700s. The fort’s design and architecture is worth a visit alone, but the entire place is imbued with history. Francis Scott Key, a Washington lawyer, penned the USA’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, from a cell in the fort during an attack in the War of 1812. You’ll never hear that song played over the speakers at a sporting event the same way after touring this historical site.
5. National World War I Museum and Memorial, Kansas City
Kansas City might seem like an unlikely destination for a memorial to the First World War, but it’s one monument you have to see. The museum commemorates the United States’ role in the Great War, and memorializes the courage and sacrifice of all who served in that pivotal conflict.
6. The Alamo, San Antonio
“Remember the Alamo!” has been a rallying cry for Americans, particularly Texans, for decades. The former mission-turned-battle-site has long been a testament to the American spirit and perseverance. Visiting this landmark in San Antonio takes you back in time to the age of the Wild West, when the nation was young and cowboys prevalent.
7. National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown
As “America’s favorite pasttime”, you can’t help but feel a little patriotic every time you watch a baseball game. If you want to get a sense for the history of this iconic American sport, visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame. From legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, to modern record breakers like Derek Jeter, the museum is a trip through American recreation.
8. Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis
America’s youngest national park, this monument in St. Louis represents much more than just a fancy archway. The Gateway Arch symbolizes America’s westward expansion, and has been in the background of many pivotal historical moments. One such moment was the fight for freedom in the monumental Dred Scott court case, which took place in the nearby courthouse. American freedom and ingenuity rings loudly in this national park.
9. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Though not linked with any traditional patriotic events, the Grand Canyon is an iconic part of the American landscape. Standing before it can elicit many feelings, like humility and awe. It is intertwined with the USA, and making the trek to marvel at this natural wonder is a must for every red-blooded American.
10. Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C.
One of the largest, and certainly the most well-known, military cemeteries in the United States, Arlington National Cemetery is a solemn yet beautiful testament to the men and women who fought for their country. With rows of white headstones, and the Tomb of the Unknowns, this cemetery is a sober reminder of the cost of building and protecting a nation.
11. One World Trade Center, NYC
The coordinated attacks on September 11, 2001 had a profound effect on, not only the United States, but the world as a whole. The tremendous loss of innocent life that resulted from these attacks is honored in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Visiting the area is an eye-opening experience, even for those who remember the tragedy of that morning.
12. Route 66
This quintessential American road has been immortalized in books, movies, and television. Running through the American West, this road is dotted with historic towns, museums, and some gorgeous landscape. Every American should spend at least a few days driving the wide open country and exploring goodies along the way. Check out our guide on how to tackle this roadtrip like a pro!
13. Washington D.C.
We couldn’t pick just one spot in Washington D.C. to highlight. The entire city is a mecca of American patriotism. From buildings like the Capitol and the White House, to monuments like the Lincoln and Washington Monuments, to culturally-rich museums like the Smithsonian, the nation’s capitol is chock full of historically-relevant destinations. If you’re feeling the American pride, you’ll make this trek to D.C. at least one in your life to experience history for yourself.
Since her first trip across the pond Kellie has been a voracious traveler. As the Editor of The Discoverer she is passionate about sharing stories from around the globe and inspiring others to leave their comfort zones. Kellie has her MFA in Creative Writing and in her free time tries (and mostly fails) to cook.
