History

Over the weekend, my wife Sweetie and I paid our second visit to Moody Gardens on Galveston Island. What a fabulous place! Whether you're into nature, science, or just want a great destination for everything from a weekend getaway to a longer stay, Moody Gardens has something for the entire family. One of the highlights for us on this visit was

The Country Music Association unveiled the names of this year's Country Music Hall of Fame inductees at a press conference held in the Hall's rotunda. Two legendary artists, and a legendary songwriter/producer will soon have their plaques on the walls of that same rotunda, joining the ranks of Country music royalty. This year's inductees are:

Gordon Stoker, tenor singer for Country Music Hall of Fame vocal group the Jordanaires, died Wednesday morning, March 27, 2013, at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 88. The Jordanaires’ harmonies can be heard on some of the most famous recordings from the 1960s and early ‘70s, particularly the Elvis Presley classics “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” and “It’s Now or Never.”

1975: Dolly Parton racked up her fifth number one hit with "The Bargain Store."  The song's success was considered a surprise because some radio stations refused to play it.  They felt the lyrics -- "the bargain store is open, come inside"—were a little too “suggestive!" 1980: Tom T. Hall rejoined the Grand Ole Opry. 1993: Willie Nelson performed a benefit concert in Hills

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1643: The first legal divorce in the American colonies takes place (more info) 1925: Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming becomes the first female governor in the United States (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1863: President Abraham Lincoln signs the final Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the rebelling states (more info) 1934: Alcatraz Island becomes a United States federal prison (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1879: Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (more info) 1907: The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square -- then known as Longacre Square -- in New York City (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1066: William the Conqueror is crowned King of England (more info) 1776: George Washington and the Continental Army cross the Delaware River, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey (more info)

Everyone knows Christmas Day is all about tearing open presents, spending time with loved ones, gorging on lots of good food and celebrating the holiday spirit in general. Even though most of us have got the holiday thing down by now, some folks out there might not be aware of some of the unusual and history-making events marking Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in the past.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1620: William Bradford and the Mayflower Pilgrims land on what is now known as Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts (more info) 1898: Pierre and Marie Curie discover radium (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1803: The Louisiana Purchase is completed at a ceremony in New Orleans (more info) 1860: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States (more info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1776: Thomas Paine publishes one of a series of pamphlets in the Pennsylvania Journal titled 'The American Crisis' (more info) 1777: George Washington's Continental Army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (more info)