Release the hounds

By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

August 16, 1841: After President John Tyler vetoed congressional attempts to reestablish the national bank, angry Whigs march on the White House, throw rocks, shoot guns and burn the president in effigy. At first, Tyler hoped that the Whigs, who ...

The Crisco Dental Plan

By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

August 15, 1911: Crisco vegetable shortening is introduced by Proctor&Gamble. Purchasers of the shortening were also treated to a Crisco cookbook, released to mixed results. While home cooks did enjoy the recipes for pies and pie crusts, they were less ...

Call of the sea

By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

August 14, 1962: Robbers held up a U.S. mail truck in Plymouth, Mass., making away with $1.5 million. Because of the robbery, 500,000 kids didn't get the sea monkeys they sent off for.

It's all right ma, I didn't inhale

By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

August 1, 1774: Joseph Priestly and Carl Wilhelm discover oxygen after isolating it from air. This was welcome news to unfortunate members of the Church of the Repressed Breath, which discouraged its followers from inhaling, lest they suck in "sky ...