1942 U.S.A. Unidentified Flying Objects
1942 : Los Angeles sightings on this day called by the contemporary press “Battle of Los Angeles”, a Plane / Blimp / Weather Balloon / UFO is fired on with a massive anti-aircraft artillery barrage but is not hit, Air raid sirens were sounded throughout Los Angeles County at 2:25 a.m. and a total blackout was ordered. Why was the ?? never hit or if it was hit why not damaged , this is a radio news report of the incident and makes very interesting listening.
1924 France Johnny Weissmuller
1924 : Johnny Weissmuller wins his first gold medal in 100-meters freestyle in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He went on to win Gold in the 400-meters freestyle and as part of the 800-meters freestyle relay team. In Amsterdam in 1928 he wins two more gold medals. Following his olympics success in 1932 he played the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Ape Man.
24 Feb, 1942 Voice of America
1942 : The Voice of America goes on the air for the first time under the Office of War Information with news programs aimed at Japan, the south Pacific, and to areas of Europe and North Africa under the occupation of Nazi Germany.
More about Voice of America
1903 Cuba Guantanamo Bay
1903 : The United States signed a leasing agreement between the US and Cuba , acquiring Guantanamo Bay a naval station at the southeastern end in Cuba.
1920 U.S.A. Atlantic Flight Race
1920 : It was announced on this day that fliers from 18 different nations are planning to participate in an Atlantic Flight race. The first place winner of this race was to receive $100,000. The plan was to start the fliers off from either New York or Atlantic City. From one of these points, the fliers would head south towards Cuba Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the across the Caribbean Sea to Caracas, and then to Permambuco. After that, they would then fly across the Atlantic to Dakar, then along the western coast of Africa. After that they would head northward and will pass Magador and Casa Blanca. From there, the flight will head across either Spain or Portugal to Biarritz, and then to the French Coast and the London Channel. The return trip planned would be straight across the Atlantic Ocean.
1920 U.S.A. Teacher Pay
1920 : A report was printed on this day regarding the issue of teacher salary problems and supply in demand in rural areas. This issue was addressed by A. Floyd, the Superintendent of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. The biggest issue regarding teacher supply and demand is the fact that teachers may not always be adequately prepared to teach in certain areas, particular rural ones. These are the areas where they would also get paid less as well.
1922 Powder Magazine Explosion
1922 : An explosion of the powder magazine in a stone quarry in McCook in southern Illinois shook the city of Chicago shattering many windows in the south of the city and the blast was so strong that a train passing near by was blown completely off the tracks.
1932 Japan / China Conflict
1932 : According to one report given on this day, Japan was planning a protest against the U.S. government. This particular protest against the U.S. was planned as a result of an incident that occurred while Robert Short, an American who was fighting while in combat with Japanese airplanes. Part of the reason for the conflict between the U.S. and the Japanese was the fact that the Chinese government had asked that Robert Short be buried in China in order to give him proper burial. The Japanese were opposed to this action. Also, no official report was made regarding the death of this airplane fighter at this time.
1940 When You Wish Upon a Star
1940 : The song “When You Wish Upon a Star” is recorded by Frances Langford. It becomes a major hit and it is still one of the most recognizable songs today.
