1. 1965: Gateway Arch in St. Louis completed
Photo: history
Photo: roadtrippers
The tallest monument in the United States was completed on this date in 1965. The Gateway Arch stands 630 feet tall and is the focal point of the St. Louis skyline. Constructed out of concrete and stainless steel, the arch has a tram system built within it that will take visitors to the very top where they have an amazing view of the city. The arch was built for two main reasons, first was to create jobs, but maybe more importantly to commemorate the Westward Expansion of the United States. According to reports, the cost of the project was estimated to be around $13 million which in today’s money would be around $190 million. The arch has more than 4 million visitors each year and is an important part of the city’s economy.
2. 1886: Dedication of the Statue of Liberty
Photo: tumblr
Photo: tumblr
The last rivet was fitted which completed the installation of the Statue of Liberty on this date in 1886. President Grover Cleveland was on hand to perform the dedication ceremony as well as numerous American and French dignitaries. Lady Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States to commemorate their friendship during the American Revolution. The 151-foot tall statue was originally built in Paris then disassembled and shipped to the U.S. in an estimated 200 different crates. The steel framework was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who made a name for himself by designing the Eiffel Tower. But the overall design was done by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi.
3. 1922: First college football game broadcast nationwide on the radio
Photo: photobucket
It was on this date in 1922 the first college football game was broadcast nationwide on the radio. The Princeton Tigers went up against the Chicago Maroons at Stagg Field in Chicago. The Maroons were heavily favored and were one of the most dominant teams in the Big Ten conference. Unfortunately, the broadcast wasn’t live during the game; that didn’t happen until two years later in 1924. What would normally happen was a reporter would sit in the press box at the stadium and would phone the details of what was happening back to the station. An announcer would be standing by to re-enact the play by play using the help of sound effects and sometimes an in-studio audience. Even though Princeton was the underdog, they managed to pull off a major upset and then went on to finish the season with an undefeated record.