Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rich tapestry of history and genealogy.
In this edition, we'll delve into the treasure trove of historical news articles dated August 20, unearthing stories that resonate with genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.
From local happenings to global events, we'll uncover the stories that shaped the lives of our ancestors, providing valuable insights for those on a quest to discover their roots.
So, grab your magnifying glass and step into the past as we unravel the August 20 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.
1886 - August 20 – A massive hurricane demolishes the town of Indianola, Texas.
In August 1886, Indianola, Texas, faced a devastating natural disaster in the form of a catastrophic hurricane. This event marked one of the most significant hurricanes to ever hit the Gulf Coast region. On August 20th, fierce winds and a massive storm surge slammed into Indianola, a prosperous port city located on Matagorda Bay. The hurricane's force was relentless, causing widespread destruction as it swept through the town.
Indianola, already vulnerable due to its location on a low-lying... Read MORE...
August 20, 1886
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1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
Potato Chips - Peel a raw potato as apples are peeled, let the parings be as near as possible the same thickness, and let them be as long as possible; dry them thoroughly in a cloth, put them in the frying-basket and plunge it in boiling hot...Read MORE...
The Willimantic Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn., May 11, 1881
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
Woonsocket, R. I., (AP) - This industrial city of 50,000, third largest in Rhode Island, was under a state of emergency today with some 500 families evacuated after rain-swollen Horseshoe Dam burst, flooding a four mile square congested tenement and small store area. Gov. Dennis J. Roberts and Woonsocket Mayor Kevin A. Coleman both declared a state of emergency last night. Roberts ordered three National Guard companies, numbering about 160 men, to duty to prevent looting and assist regular and... Read MORE...
The Capital - Annapolis, Maryland - August 20, 1955
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1955 - RHODE ISLAND DAM BURSTS.
Woonsocket, R. I., (AP) - This industrial city of 50,000, third largest in Rhode Island, was under a state of emergency today with some 500 families evacuated after rain-swollen Horseshoe Dam burst, flooding a four mile square congested tenement and small store area. Gov. Dennis J. Roberts and Woonsocket Mayor Kevin A. Coleman both declared a state of emergency last night. Roberts ordered three National Guard companies, numbering about 160 men, to duty to prevent looting and assist regular and... Read MORE...
The Capital - Annapolis, Maryland - August 20, 1955
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1800s Advice and Etiquette for Ladies
Dressing with Two Hundred Dollars Per Year
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
Bridgeport, Aug., 20 - Rena Germain of Whiting Street, is at the Bridgeport hospital suffering from probably fatal burns. She is only five years old and if she lives she owes her life to the heroic actions of her brother Robert, aged 10. While playing with matches early yesterday the little girl ignited her night-robe. The inflammable material blazed up in a second and she was enveloped in flames. The night-robe was entirely burned.
The child screamed but her father was out and her mother on ... Read MORE...
New Haven Register - New Haven, Connecticut - August 20, 1900
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1900 - BRIDGEPORT'S BOY HERO. Robert Germain, Aged 10, Saved His Little Sister's Life.
Bridgeport, Aug., 20 - Rena Germain of Whiting Street, is at the Bridgeport hospital suffering from probably fatal burns. She is only five years old and if she lives she owes her life to the heroic actions of her brother Robert, aged 10. While playing with matches early yesterday the little girl ignited her night-robe. The inflammable material blazed up in a second and she was enveloped in flames. The night-robe was entirely burned.
The child screamed but her father was out and her mother on ... Read MORE...
New Haven Register - New Haven, Connecticut - August 20, 1900
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1870 The oldest Episcopal church in New England and probably in the United States, is at Wickford, R. I., although it is no longer in use.
It is called St. Paul's and was built in 1707, at North Kingston, about five miles north of Wickford, whence it was removed in 1800 to its present location. During the Revolution it was used as barracks for American soldiers.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
August 20, 1870
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1955 Hurricane Diane
...Flood waters apparently hit hardest at Stroudsburg, Pa., with at least 20 counted dead, and Waterbury, Conn., where at least 15 persons were reported to have lost their lives. The Naugatuck River roared through Waterbury, tearing out power lines and sweeping away buildings. It was "the worst disaster Waterbury has ever seen," said Fire Chief FRANCIS T. SCULLY...
Chester Times
Pennsylvania
August 20, 1955
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1890 DEAD BY DOZENS. THE GRIM TERROR REAPS A GHASTLY HARVEST. FRIGHTFUL DISASTER ON THE RAIL. SIXTEEN SOULS HURRIED TO ETERNITY AND MORE THAN A SCORE OF PEOPLE SCALDED AND MUTILATED.
Boston, Aug. 20. - The Cape Cod and Woods' Hole train on the Old Colony railway was wrecked at Quincy, just the other side of the President's bridge at 1 p.m. yesterday. The disaster was a frightful one, resulting in the death of about twenty persons and the wounding of many others, some of whom are terribly scalded or mutilated. The train was express to Brockton, and from Brockton express to Boston. It left Brockton at 10:40, going at say thirty miles an hour. Just this side of President's...
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Evening Gazette
Sterling, Illinois
August 20, 1890
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It is called St. Paul's and was built in 1707, at North Kingston, about five miles north of Wickford, whence it was removed in 1800 to its present location. During the Revolution it was used as barracks for American soldiers.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
August 20, 1870
Visit North Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA (North Kingston) (Wickford) (Davisville)!
1955 Hurricane Diane
...Flood waters apparently hit hardest at Stroudsburg, Pa., with at least 20 counted dead, and Waterbury, Conn., where at least 15 persons were reported to have lost their lives. The Naugatuck River roared through Waterbury, tearing out power lines and sweeping away buildings. It was "the worst disaster Waterbury has ever seen," said Fire Chief FRANCIS T. SCULLY...
Chester Times
Pennsylvania
August 20, 1955
Visit Waterbury, Connecticut, USA (Waterville)!
1890 DEAD BY DOZENS. THE GRIM TERROR REAPS A GHASTLY HARVEST. FRIGHTFUL DISASTER ON THE RAIL. SIXTEEN SOULS HURRIED TO ETERNITY AND MORE THAN A SCORE OF PEOPLE SCALDED AND MUTILATED.
Boston, Aug. 20. - The Cape Cod and Woods' Hole train on the Old Colony railway was wrecked at Quincy, just the other side of the President's bridge at 1 p.m. yesterday. The disaster was a frightful one, resulting in the death of about twenty persons and the wounding of many others, some of whom are terribly scalded or mutilated. The train was express to Brockton, and from Brockton express to Boston. It left Brockton at 10:40, going at say thirty miles an hour. Just this side of President's...
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Evening Gazette
Sterling, Illinois
August 20, 1890
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1870 Fire
OTTAWA, Ont., Aug. 19. - Several wealthy farmers have been burned out recently, losing from $8,000 to $10,000 each. GILMOUR'S piling-ground for lumber has been burned with 6,000,000 feet of lumber. The loss is $40,000. The destruction of property by fire within twenty miles of this city is estimated at above $800,000. The city is in considerable danger from fire.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
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1870 Planing Mill Fire
AUBURN, N. Y., Aug. 19. - At 12 o'clock last night a fire broke out in the sash and blind factory and planing-mill of EVARTS BROS. The building, which was of wood, and the valuable machinery contained in it, were destroyed. The loss is $15,000, and the insurance $8,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
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1870 Saw-Mill and Railroad Bridge Burned at Concord, N. H.
SAW-MILL AND RAILROAD BRIDGE BURNED. CONCORD, N. H., Aug. 19.- FARNUM & MARTIN'S steam saw-mill, in West Concord, was destroyed by fire today. The loss is $7,000; insurance, $4,000. The railroad bridge, near by, was also burned. Loss, $2.000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
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OTTAWA, Ont., Aug. 19. - Several wealthy farmers have been burned out recently, losing from $8,000 to $10,000 each. GILMOUR'S piling-ground for lumber has been burned with 6,000,000 feet of lumber. The loss is $40,000. The destruction of property by fire within twenty miles of this city is estimated at above $800,000. The city is in considerable danger from fire.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
Visit Ottawa, Ontario, Canada!
1870 Planing Mill Fire
AUBURN, N. Y., Aug. 19. - At 12 o'clock last night a fire broke out in the sash and blind factory and planing-mill of EVARTS BROS. The building, which was of wood, and the valuable machinery contained in it, were destroyed. The loss is $15,000, and the insurance $8,000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
Visit Auburn, New York, USA!
1870 Saw-Mill and Railroad Bridge Burned at Concord, N. H.
SAW-MILL AND RAILROAD BRIDGE BURNED. CONCORD, N. H., Aug. 19.- FARNUM & MARTIN'S steam saw-mill, in West Concord, was destroyed by fire today. The loss is $7,000; insurance, $4,000. The railroad bridge, near by, was also burned. Loss, $2.000.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 20, 1870
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America - Did you know?
July 7, 1898 - U.S. annexes Hawaii by an act of Congress.
Quebec - Did you know?
America once invaded Quebec.The Battle of Chateauguay took place on October 26, 1813, during the War of 1812. Although 4,000 Americans attempted to take Montreal, they were repulsed by 1,630 French Canadians. If the Americans had been...Read MORE...
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