Joe's Daily U.S. History Lesson -- May 18

MAY 18

1980-Mt. St. Helens erupts … at 8:32 on an otherwise beautiful Sunday morning in Washington. About 96 miles south of Seattle, thanks to an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of Mt. St. Helens buckled in a massive rock debris avalanche. Within seconds this slab of rock and ice crashed into Spirit Lake, crossed a ridge 1300 feet high, and hurled 14 miles down the Toutle River. The avalanche abruptly released pressurized gases within the volcano. A huuge lateral explosion ripped through the avalanche e and became an unstable, stone-filled wind swept over ridges and took down trees. Nearly 150 square miles of forest was instantly destroyed.

Meanwhile a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet into the sky and wafted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. When the glacier atop the mountain melted, a massive mudslide wiped out homes and dammed up rivers throughout the area. The trail of ash heaved out for nine more hours as easterly winds carried it across the state and as far away as Minnesota. Mount St. Helens went from 9600 feet high to only 8300 feet high in a matter of seconds.

These days thousands of climbers make the journey to the crater rim. During the summer Forest Service interpreters lead a wide range of activities, from short walks to amphitheater presentations, to help you understand and enjoy the area.

Check it out and climb the mountain for extra credit!

1860-Lincoln’s nominated for Republican presidency. …Two days before the Republican National Convention met in Chicago, and the members agreed on Lincoln as president and Hannibal Hamlin of Main for vice presidency. Lincoln had already entered the political arena by debating against Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois for a US Senate seat in 1858, known famously as the Lincoln-Douglas debates which dealt mainly with slavery issues.

Later that November, Lincoln would face Douglas again, this time for the presidential election, where of course Lincoln won. Moments later, South Carolina said peace out, we’re done, and seceded from the nation, which they had been threatening to do if a Republican won the white house seat. Seven States followed and the Confederate States of America was born, and a month later the Civil War started.

Hang on- not done with the story yet. About a year later, a random newspaper in Humboldt County, CA, as quoted by the Sacramento Union, accused Mrs. Lincoln of being a flirt with a man that wasn’t her husband named US Wood. Mary Todd Lincoln allegedly danced with Mr. Wood at Lincoln’s inauguration ball. Oooh. Dirt.

Now I’m done. 1953 – Jacqueline Cochrane becomes the first woman …to break the sound barrier. According to WASPmuseum’s website, she grew up in poverty never owning a pair of shoes until she was nine, stole chickens to help feed her family while barefooted, to becoming a decorated pilot who dined with kings, queens, princes, and premiers. Like a boss!

Lt. Col Jacqueline Cochrane, born May 11 1906 in possibly Muscogee in Fwest Florida, was a pioneer in American aviation and considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation. She was an important contributor to the formation of the wartime Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

What’s her secret? Her words, “If you will open up your power plants of vitality and energy, clean up your spark plugs of ambition and desires, and pour in the fuel of work, you will be likely to go places and do things.” MAY 18

1980-Mt. St. Helens erupts … at 8:32 on an otherwise beautiful Sunday morning in Washington. About 96 miles south of Seattle, thanks to an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of Mt. St. Helens buckled in a massive rock debris avalanche. Within seconds this slab of rock and ice crashed into Spirit Lake, crossed a ridge 1300 feet high, and hurled 14 miles down the Toutle River. The avalanche abruptly released pressurized gases within the volcano. A huuge lateral explosion ripped through the avalanche e and became an unstable, stone-filled wind swept over ridges and took down trees. Nearly 150 square miles of forest was instantly destroyed.

Meanwhile a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet into the sky and wafted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. When the glacier atop the mountain melted, a massive mudslide wiped out homes and dammed up rivers throughout the area. The trail of ash heaved out for nine more hours as easterly winds carried it across the state and as far away as Minnesota. Mount St. Helens went from 9600 feet high to only 8300 feet high in a matter of seconds.

These days thousands of climbers make the journey to the crater rim. During the summer Forest Service interpreters lead a wide range of activities, from short walks to amphitheater presentations, to help you understand and enjoy the area. Check it out and climb the mountain for extra credit!

1860-Lincoln’s nominated for Republican presidency. …Two days before the Republican National Convention met in Chicago, and the members agreed on Lincoln as president and Hannibal Hamlin of Main for vice presidency. Lincoln had already entered the political arena by debating against Democratic Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois for a US Senate seat in 1858, known famously as the Lincoln-Douglas debates which dealt mainly with slavery issues.

Later that November, Lincoln would face Douglas again, this time for the presidential election, where of course Lincoln won. Moments later, South Carolina said peace out, we’re done, and seceded from the nation, which they had been threatening to do if a Republican won the white house seat. Seven States followed and the Confederate States of America was born, and a month later the Civil War started. Hang on- not done with the story yet. About a year later, a random newspaper in Humboldt County, CA, as quoted by the Sacramento Union, accused Mrs. Lincoln of being a flirt with a man that wasn’t her husband named US Wood. Mary Todd Lincoln allegedly danced with Mr. Wood at Lincoln’s inauguration ball. Oooh. Dirt. Now I’m done.

1953 – Jacqueline Cochrane becomes the first woman …to break the sound barrier. According to WASPmuseum’s website, she grew up in poverty never owning a pair of shoes until she was nine, stole chickens to help feed her family while barefooted, to becoming a decorated pilot who dined with kings, queens, princes, and premiers. Like a boss!

Lt. Col Jacqueline Cochrane, born May 11 1906 in possibly Muscogee in Fwest Florida, was a pioneer in American aviation and considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation. She was an important contributor to the formation of the wartime Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). What’s her secret? Her words, “If you will open up your power plants of vitality and energy, clean up your spark plugs of ambition and desires, and pour in the fuel of work, you will be likely to go places and do things.”