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 December 31, 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 December 31 historical headlines that may hold the missing pieces of your family's history puzzle.
Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)
"In 1904, the New York Times moved from the City Hall are to the triangular piece of land at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street. People thought they were crazy for moving so far uptown, but this was the same year the first subway line opened, passing through what was then called Longacre Square. Not only did their new Times Tower have a printing press in the basement (they loaded the daily papers right onto the train and got the news out faster than other papers), but it... Read MORE...
www.6sqft.com
December 31, 1904
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1904 - December 31 – In New York City, the first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square.
"In 1904, the New York Times moved from the City Hall are to the triangular piece of land at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street. People thought they were crazy for moving so far uptown, but this was the same year the first subway line opened, passing through what was then called Longacre Square. Not only did their new Times Tower have a printing press in the basement (they loaded the daily papers right onto the train and got the news out faster than other papers), but it... Read MORE...
www.6sqft.com
December 31, 1904
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1800s Cooking Tips and Recipes
SLAPJACK Take flour, little sugar and water, mix with or without a little yeast, the latter better if at hand, mix into paste and fry the same as fritters in clean fat.
G. L. Winter, Southbridge, Mass.
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Great Falls, Montana, USA
Great Falls, Dec. 30 - (AP) - It finally happened.
A gas company employe, checking a report of escaping gas in a Great Falls residence Friday afternoon, went looking for the leak with matches, city firemen reported. He found it.
Firemen extinguished the blaze after some damage resulted. The fire was at the home of Theodore Remus.
Mrs. Remus, after smelling the escaping gas, had notified the city-county health office, reporting the leak and asking that they call the gas... Read MORE...
Billings Gazette - Billings, Montana - December 31, 1949
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1949 - Man Looking for Gas Leak Finds It by Lighting Match; Fire Extinguished.
Great Falls, Dec. 30 - (AP) - It finally happened.
A gas company employe, checking a report of escaping gas in a Great Falls residence Friday afternoon, went looking for the leak with matches, city firemen reported. He found it.
Firemen extinguished the blaze after some damage resulted. The fire was at the home of Theodore Remus.
Mrs. Remus, after smelling the escaping gas, had notified the city-county health office, reporting the leak and asking that they call the gas... Read MORE...
Billings Gazette - Billings, Montana - December 31, 1949
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Tampa, Florida, USA
Tampa, Fla., Dec. 31. - Two blocks in the wholesale district, bounded by the river and by Tampa, Whiting and Washington streets were destroyed by fire late yesterday. Early estimates placed the loss between $350,000 and $500,000.
The business section was cut off from electric lights and power, and special police protection was provided merchants last night, thieves having robbed offices at the Citizens National Bank of small amounts while the fire was in progress. The Tribune was preparing... Read MORE...
San Antonio Light - San Antonio, Texas - December 31, 1919
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1919 - FIRE SWEEPS TAMPA. BLAZE STARTED BY SPARKS FROM SHIPS; DESTROYS TWO BLOCKS.
Tampa, Fla., Dec. 31. - Two blocks in the wholesale district, bounded by the river and by Tampa, Whiting and Washington streets were destroyed by fire late yesterday. Early estimates placed the loss between $350,000 and $500,000.
The business section was cut off from electric lights and power, and special police protection was provided merchants last night, thieves having robbed offices at the Citizens National Bank of small amounts while the fire was in progress. The Tribune was preparing... Read MORE...
San Antonio Light - San Antonio, Texas - December 31, 1919
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1800s Advice and Etiquette for Men
The person should be accurately clean; the teeth, hands, and nails, should be particularly so: a dirty mouth has real ill consequences to the owner ; for it infallibly causes the decay, as well as the intolerable pain, of the teeth; and is very offensive, for it will most inevitably stink.
Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA (Southport)
30 teens, mostly the children of Kenosha's Social elite. went on a scavenger hunt. There were a total of eight cars in the hunt. 3 of the cars met up at a railroad crossing on 12th avenue and 75th street . There was a freight train going northbound and they all stopped. As soon as the freight train passed, One car sped over the tracks okay but there was a passenger train going southbound that none of them saw. The train hit the next two cars and pushed them down the tracks about 100 feet. The... Read MORE...
Kenosha Evening News - Kenosha, Wisconsin - December 31, 1928
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1928 - Teens Die at Rail Crossing
30 teens, mostly the children of Kenosha's Social elite. went on a scavenger hunt. There were a total of eight cars in the hunt. 3 of the cars met up at a railroad crossing on 12th avenue and 75th street . There was a freight train going northbound and they all stopped. As soon as the freight train passed, One car sped over the tracks okay but there was a passenger train going southbound that none of them saw. The train hit the next two cars and pushed them down the tracks about 100 feet. The... Read MORE...
Kenosha Evening News - Kenosha, Wisconsin - December 31, 1928
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1870 FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT FRANKLIN! FALL OF THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. DESTRUCTION OF THE MARSHALL HOUSE.
About half past eleven o'clock yesterday morning, a fire broke out in the Marshall House, situated at the Franklin end of the Suspension Bridge at that point, which connects the Allegheny Valley Railroad with the town. Though the most strenuous efforts were made to save the structure it was entirely destroyed. During the burning of the hotel the flames communicated to the bridge, upon which were from twenty to thirty individuals in the act of crossing, or watching the burning building....
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The Petroleum Centre Daily Record
Pennsylvania
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1916 December 31 – The Hampton Terrace Hotel in North Augusta, South Carolina, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the nation at the time, burns to the ground.
wikipedia.org
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1879 December 31 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
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About half past eleven o'clock yesterday morning, a fire broke out in the Marshall House, situated at the Franklin end of the Suspension Bridge at that point, which connects the Allegheny Valley Railroad with the town. Though the most strenuous efforts were made to save the structure it was entirely destroyed. During the burning of the hotel the flames communicated to the bridge, upon which were from twenty to thirty individuals in the act of crossing, or watching the burning building....
Read MORE...
The Petroleum Centre Daily Record
Pennsylvania
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1916 December 31 – The Hampton Terrace Hotel in North Augusta, South Carolina, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the nation at the time, burns to the ground.
wikipedia.org
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1879 December 31 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
wikipedia.org
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1919 Bonds Are Stolen
Fayetteville, Ark., Dec. 31. - Between $25,000 and $30,000 in liberty bonds were secured by robbers who looted the vault in the Bank of Lincoln, this county, last night, according to information received here this morning. No explosion was heard and there is no clew to the robbers.
Muskogee Times-Democrat
Muskogee, Oklahoma
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1870 The straw in a barn-yard near Santa Clara, California, was set on fire by a piece of meteoric iron which fell there the other day.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
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1892 BUILDING DESTROYED.
Duluth, Minn., Dec. 30. - Flames destroyed the Fargusson building in Duluth, Minn., causing a loss of about $250,000 on building and contents.
Stevens Point Daily Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
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Fayetteville, Ark., Dec. 31. - Between $25,000 and $30,000 in liberty bonds were secured by robbers who looted the vault in the Bank of Lincoln, this county, last night, according to information received here this morning. No explosion was heard and there is no clew to the robbers.
Muskogee Times-Democrat
Muskogee, Oklahoma
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1870 The straw in a barn-yard near Santa Clara, California, was set on fire by a piece of meteoric iron which fell there the other day.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
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1892 BUILDING DESTROYED.
Duluth, Minn., Dec. 30. - Flames destroyed the Fargusson building in Duluth, Minn., causing a loss of about $250,000 on building and contents.
Stevens Point Daily Journal
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
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1857 Unseasonable Weather
On the 22d of December, the weather was so unseasonable in the neighborhood of New Bedford, Massachusetts, that the farmers employed their teams in ploughing.
The Daily Milwaukee News
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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1775 December 31 - The Battle of Québec was fought on December 31 between the American Continental Army and British defenders of Québec City. It was the first major defeat for the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
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On the 22d of December, the weather was so unseasonable in the neighborhood of New Bedford, Massachusetts, that the farmers employed their teams in ploughing.
The Daily Milwaukee News
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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1775 December 31 - The Battle of Québec was fought on December 31 between the American Continental Army and British defenders of Québec City. It was the first major defeat for the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
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America - Did you know?
1836 - Alabama become the first state in the U.S. to officially legalize Christmas.
Quebec - Did you know?
In Quebec, it's considered bad form to ask for a martini or scotch before dinner — French Canadians consider them "palate numbing." Typical before-dinner drinks include Pernod, kir, champagne, and vermouth. Cognac, Grand Marnier and/ or other...Read MORE...ediplomat.com
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Cabines Madeleine de Vercheres
George H. Hartwell
Druggist and Apothecary
Cor. Main and Central Sts., Southbridge, Mass.
Built in 1867, George H. Hartwell operated an apothecary from this premises, at 98 Main Street and 1 Central Street.
digitalcommonwealth.org
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