August 24

Mount Vesuvius erupts, killing up to 15,000 people in and around Pompeii (79); Thomas Edison files patent for the kinetoscope, an early motion-picture viewer (1891); Brazilian author Paulo Coelho born (1947); Windows 95 released (1995).

April 4

"As the Artemis II astronauts fly farther from Earth, they’re taking the opportunity to look back home."https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/science/nasa-artemis-moon-photos.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YFA.niU3.mjN6IAwf3eqD&smid=url-share&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

May 16

"What began as a stop to help a stranded driver with a flat tire turned into a life-saving rescue for three Florida teenagers now being hailed as heroes in their community."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/humankind/2026/05/14/florida-teens-save-man-heart-attack/90078133007/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

May 30

"Simpsons" creator Matt Groening said the show's fictional Springfield was based on his childhood in Oregon, but the show has famously avoided stating where the town is located.

August 5

"A poop transplant — otherwise known as a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) — may help adults with long-term insomnia sleep better, a small study suggests."

https://www.livescience.com/health/sleep/poop-pills-may-ease-insomnia-by-reprogramming-the-gut-microbiome-early-study-hints?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c92f5d78644b3ac5d5b4

August 21

Nat Turner leads rebellion of enslaved people (1831); "Mona Lisa" stolen from The Louvre Museum, is recovered two years later (1911); Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain born (1936); Hawaii becomes 50th US state (1959); Usain Bolt born (1986).

August 20

First around-the-world telegram sent (1911); "Valley of the Dolls" author Jacqueline Susann is born (1918); Actress Amy Adams born (1974); NASA launches Viking 1 probe toward Mars (1975); Comedian Jerry Lewis dies (2017).