1570 Antwerp, Geography: Abraham Ortelius published the first atlas, called ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’ (Theatre of the World). I have had a ‘Times of London Atlas’ on hand for many years.
1840 Sydney, History: By an Order-in-Council transportation of convicts to New South Wales ended.
1843 St Louis, History: The first major wagon train on the Oregon Trail left with one thousand people following the Platte River northwest. The picture below is at Scotts Bluff.
1849 Springfield, Technology: Abraham Lincoln patented a device for lifting boats over shoals.
2003 Fort Worth, Sports: Golfer Annika Sorenstam became the first woman to play in a Professional Golfers Association tour event since Babe Didrikson 58 years earlier. Didrikson beat everyone, and the men learned their lesson, thereafter banning women from tournaments. Initially the PGA refused Sorenstam’s application but when the sponsor of the event, The Bank of America, moved to rescind its contract, then PGA then conceded the point. Thus did the PGA affirm its place as one of the most retrograde organisations.
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