Well, I am back from vacation over the holidays. I am going to continue putting in the Day in History because I didn't start the blog site until June 18, 2008. After that date, I will just be repeating myself so I will think of something else to put in here. Maybe famous birthdays or something.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. and will have a great 2009.
Continuing with our visits of state capitals, today we go to Austin, Texas.
The photos are: 1) the Austin skyline; 2) the Texas State Capitol Building; 3) a portion of downtown Austin; 4) the Austin 360 Residential Tower; 5) the Stephen Austin Monument; 6) the Pennybacker Bridge; 7) the Deep Eddy Pool (the oldest man-made pool in Texas); and 8) a bridge in Zilker Park.
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Travis County. Situated in Central Texas and part of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 16th-largest in the United States of America, as well as the third-fastest growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. As of the 2007 U.S. Census estimate, Austin has a population of 743,074. The city is the cultural and economic center of the Austin–Round Rock metropolitan area with a population of about 1.6 million people.
The area was settled in the 1830s on the banks of the Colorado River by white settlers, who named the village Waterloo. In 1839, Waterloo was chosen to become the capital of the newly independent Republic of Texas. The city was renamed Austin, after Stephen F. Austin. The city grew throughout the 19th century and became a center for government and education with the construction of the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas. After a lull in growth from the Great Depression, Austin resumed its development into a major city and emerged as a center for technology and business. Today, Austin is home to many companies, hi-tech or otherwise, including two Fortune 500 listed corporations.
Austin was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by Money magazine in 2006, and the "Greenest City in America" by MSN. Also, according to CNN Headline News and travel and leisure Austin ranks #2 on the list of cities with the best people referring to the personalities and attributes of the citizens. Austin was also voted America's #1 College Town by the Travel Channel. Austin was ranked the fifth-safest city in part because there are fewer than 3 people per 100,000 murdered annually.
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a diverse mix of university professors, students, politicians, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues. In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
The area was settled in the 1830s on the banks of the Colorado River by white settlers, who named the village Waterloo. In 1839, Waterloo was chosen to become the capital of the newly independent Republic of Texas. The city was renamed Austin, after Stephen F. Austin. The city grew throughout the 19th century and became a center for government and education with the construction of the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas. After a lull in growth from the Great Depression, Austin resumed its development into a major city and emerged as a center for technology and business. Today, Austin is home to many companies, hi-tech or otherwise, including two Fortune 500 listed corporations.
Austin was selected as the No. 1 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" by Money magazine in 2006, and the "Greenest City in America" by MSN. Also, according to CNN Headline News and travel and leisure Austin ranks #2 on the list of cities with the best people referring to the personalities and attributes of the citizens. Austin was also voted America's #1 College Town by the Travel Channel. Austin was ranked the fifth-safest city in part because there are fewer than 3 people per 100,000 murdered annually.
Residents of Austin are known as "Austinites," and include a diverse mix of university professors, students, politicians, musicians, state employees, high-tech workers, blue-collar workers, and white-collar workers. The main campus of the University of Texas is located in Austin. The city is home to enough large sites of major technology corporations to have earned it the nickname "Silicon Hills." Austin's official slogan promotes the city as "The Live Music Capital of the World", a reference to its status as home to many musicians and music venues. In recent years, many Austinites have also adopted the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird"; this refers partly to the eclectic and progressive lifestyle of many Austin residents, but is also the slogan for a campaign to preserve smaller local businesses and resist excessive commercialization.
Prior to the arrival of settlers from the United States, the area that later became Austin was inhabited by a variety of nomadic Native American tribes, including the Tonkawa tribe, the Comanches, and the Lipan Apaches.
Edward Burleson laid out the town of Waterloo in the mid-1830s. When the Texas Congress formed a commission to seek a site for a new capital to be named Austin, Mirabeau Lamar advised the commissioners to investigate Waterloo, which was then indeed chosen.
At first, the new capital thrived. But Lamar's political enemy Sam Houston used two Mexican army incursions to San Antonio as an excuse to move the government to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Remaining Austin residents responded to the threat by forcibly keeping the national archives in their city in defiance of President Houston's attempts to bring them to Washington. Once the annexation of the Republic of Texas became official, delegates wrote a new state constitution in which Austin was again named the seat of government. The Texas State Capitol was completed in 1888 advertised as the 7th largest building in the world.
In September 1881, Austin public schools held their first classes. The same year, Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (now part of Huston-Tillotson University) opened its doors. The University of Texas at Austin held its first classes in 1883.
The Austin music scene began attracting national attention in the 1970s with artists such as Willie Nelson and venues such as the Armadillo World Headquarters. Today, Austin is known as much for its cultural life as its high-tech innovations. The same success that has gained the city a national reputation has brought with it many difficult choices.
Edward Burleson laid out the town of Waterloo in the mid-1830s. When the Texas Congress formed a commission to seek a site for a new capital to be named Austin, Mirabeau Lamar advised the commissioners to investigate Waterloo, which was then indeed chosen.
At first, the new capital thrived. But Lamar's political enemy Sam Houston used two Mexican army incursions to San Antonio as an excuse to move the government to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Remaining Austin residents responded to the threat by forcibly keeping the national archives in their city in defiance of President Houston's attempts to bring them to Washington. Once the annexation of the Republic of Texas became official, delegates wrote a new state constitution in which Austin was again named the seat of government. The Texas State Capitol was completed in 1888 advertised as the 7th largest building in the world.
In September 1881, Austin public schools held their first classes. The same year, Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute (now part of Huston-Tillotson University) opened its doors. The University of Texas at Austin held its first classes in 1883.
The Austin music scene began attracting national attention in the 1970s with artists such as Willie Nelson and venues such as the Armadillo World Headquarters. Today, Austin is known as much for its cultural life as its high-tech innovations. The same success that has gained the city a national reputation has brought with it many difficult choices.
Austin is considered to be a major center for high technology. The metro area is the headquarters of two Fortune 500 companies: Dell and Whole Foods Market. Thousands of graduates each year from the engineering and computer science programs at The University of Texas at Austin provide a steady source of employees that help to fuel Austin's technology and defense industry sectors. The metro Austin area has much lower housing costs than Silicon Valley, but much higher housing costs than many parts of rural Texas. As a result of the high concentration of high-tech companies in the region, Austin was strongly affected by the dot-com boom in the late 1990s and subsequent bust. Austin's largest employers include the Austin Independent School District, the City of Austin, Dell, the United States Federal Government, Freescale Semiconductor (spun off from Motorola in 2004), IBM, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Seton Healthcare Network, the State of Texas, Texas State University-San Marcos, and the University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas. Other high-tech companies with operations in Austin include 3M Company, Apple Inc., Hewlett-Packard, AMD, Applied Materials, Cirrus Logic, Cisco, eBay/PayPal, Google, Hoover's, Inc., Intel, National Instruments, Samsung, Silicon Laboratories, Sun Microsystems and United Devices. The proliferation of technology companies has led to the region's nickname, "the Silicon Hills," and spurred development that greatly expanded the city.
Austin is also emerging as a hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. About 85 companies from this industry are based in Austin. The city was ranked by the Milken Institute as the #12 biotech and life science center in the United States.
It is also home to advertising agencies including Omnicom owned GSD&M Idea City and LatinWorks, as well as Dell’s agency of record, WPP Group owned Enfatico.
Whole Foods Market is a grocery store that specializes in organic, local, and natural foods and other goods. It was founded and based in Austin. As of August 25, 2008, Whole Foods has 271 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In addition to global companies, Austin features a strong network of independent, locally-owned firms and organizations, such as the Austin Independent Business Alliance. The success of these businesses reflects the high level of commitment by the citizens of Austin to preserving the unique spirit of the city, and has been tied to the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign.
Austin is also emerging as a hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. About 85 companies from this industry are based in Austin. The city was ranked by the Milken Institute as the #12 biotech and life science center in the United States.
It is also home to advertising agencies including Omnicom owned GSD&M Idea City and LatinWorks, as well as Dell’s agency of record, WPP Group owned Enfatico.
Whole Foods Market is a grocery store that specializes in organic, local, and natural foods and other goods. It was founded and based in Austin. As of August 25, 2008, Whole Foods has 271 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In addition to global companies, Austin features a strong network of independent, locally-owned firms and organizations, such as the Austin Independent Business Alliance. The success of these businesses reflects the high level of commitment by the citizens of Austin to preserving the unique spirit of the city, and has been tied to the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign.
The central business district of the city is now home to some of the newest and tallest condo towers in the state. The 360 Tower, one of several new condo towers in Austin, opened in early 2008. The mayor strives to have up to 30,000 people living Downtown within the next 5 to 10 years. Because of this, the city has been driven to build up and in great numbers. The skyline has drastically changed from 5 years ago and the condo boom is showing no signs of slowing down. With Austin’s strong and growing economy, the market is there. Soon the city will have the tallest residential tower in the state, The Austonian standing at 683 feet (208 m) tall. There are active plans for an even taller mixed-use residential tower a few blocks away at the corner of 6th and Brazos streets.
Downtown growth has been aided by the presence of a popular live music and night life scene, Whole Foods Market flagship store and headquarters, museums, restaurants and Lady Bird Lake, considered one of the city's best recreational spots. The 2nd Street District consists of several new residential projects, restaurants, coffee shops, upscale boutiques and museums, and the Austin City Hall. Under construction across 2nd Street from Austin City Hall is the new Austin City Limits location that will be housed beneath a new 478 feet (146 m) W Hotel and residential tower. Something to do on a nice summer night is to go see the bats emerge.
Downtown growth has been aided by the presence of a popular live music and night life scene, Whole Foods Market flagship store and headquarters, museums, restaurants and Lady Bird Lake, considered one of the city's best recreational spots. The 2nd Street District consists of several new residential projects, restaurants, coffee shops, upscale boutiques and museums, and the Austin City Hall. Under construction across 2nd Street from Austin City Hall is the new Austin City Limits location that will be housed beneath a new 478 feet (146 m) W Hotel and residential tower. Something to do on a nice summer night is to go see the bats emerge.
Today's Jumble (1/05/09):
STOIF = FOIST; CAROK = CROAK; TORMAR = MORTAR; ETTIPE = PETITE
CIRCLED LETTERS = STOAORPT
What the overweight sunbather experienced at the beach.
"(A) POT ROAST
Today is National Bird Day. It is also (but for the like of me I don't understand why) National "Thank God It's Monday" Day.
Other things on this day in history:
1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France.
1500 - Duke Ludovico Sforza conquers Milan.
1527 - Felix Manz, a leader of the Anabaptist congregation in Zürich, is executed by drowning.
1554 - A great fire occurs in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
1675 - Battle of Colmar: the French army beats Brandenburg.
1757 - Louis XV of France survives an assassination attempt by Robert–François Damiens, the last person to be executed in France by the traditional and gruesome form of capital punishment used for regicides.
1759 - George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis.
1781 - American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval forces led by Benedict Arnold.
1846 - The United States House of Representatives votes to stop sharing the Oregon Territory with the United Kingdom.
1854 - The San Francisco steamer sinks, killing 300 people.
1889 - Preston North End is declared winner of the original football league.
1895 - Dreyfus Affair: French army officer Alfred Dreyfus is stripped of his rank and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island.
1896 - An Austrian newspaper reports that Wilhelm Roentgen has discovered a type of radiation later known as X-rays.
1900 - Irish leader John Edward Redmond calls for a revolt against British rule.
1909 - Colombia recognizes the independence of Panama.
1912 - The Prague Party Conference takes place.
1913 - First Balkan War: During the Naval Battle of Lemnos, Greek admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis forces the Turkish fleet to retreat to its base within the Dardanelles, from which it did not venture for the rest of the war.
1914 - The Ford Motor Company announces an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage of $5 for a day's labor.
1918 - The Free Committee for a German Workers Peace, which would become the Nazi party, is founded.
1925 - Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming becomes the first female governor in the United States.
1933 - Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins in San Francisco Bay.
1940 - FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time.
1944 - The Daily Mail becomes the first transoceanic newspaper.
1945 - The Soviet Union recognizes the new pro-Soviet government of Poland.
1949 - Work begins on the foundation of Basildon new town, in Essex, England.
1968 - Alexander Dubček comes to power: "Prague Spring" begins in Czechoslovakia.
1969 - Members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary damage property and assault occupants in the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In response, residents erect barricades and establish Free Derry.
1972 - U.S. President Richard Nixon orders the development of a space shuttle program.
1974 - An earthquake in Lima, Peru, kills six people, and damages hundreds of houses.
1975 - The Tasman Bridge in Tasmania, Australia, is struck by the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra, killing twelve people.
1976 - Cambodia is renamed Democratic Kampuchea by the Khmer Rouge.
1993 - The oil tanker MV Braer runs aground on the coast of the Shetland Islands, spilling 84,700 tons of crude oil.
1993 - Washington state executes Westley Allan Dodd by hanging (the first legal hanging in America since 1965).
1996 - Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone.
2005 - Eris, the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system, is discovered by the team of Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz using images originally taken on October 21, 2003, at the Palomar Observatory.
1500 - Duke Ludovico Sforza conquers Milan.
1527 - Felix Manz, a leader of the Anabaptist congregation in Zürich, is executed by drowning.
1554 - A great fire occurs in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
1675 - Battle of Colmar: the French army beats Brandenburg.
1757 - Louis XV of France survives an assassination attempt by Robert–François Damiens, the last person to be executed in France by the traditional and gruesome form of capital punishment used for regicides.
1759 - George Washington marries Martha Dandridge Custis.
1781 - American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval forces led by Benedict Arnold.
1846 - The United States House of Representatives votes to stop sharing the Oregon Territory with the United Kingdom.
1854 - The San Francisco steamer sinks, killing 300 people.
1889 - Preston North End is declared winner of the original football league.
1895 - Dreyfus Affair: French army officer Alfred Dreyfus is stripped of his rank and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island.
1896 - An Austrian newspaper reports that Wilhelm Roentgen has discovered a type of radiation later known as X-rays.
1900 - Irish leader John Edward Redmond calls for a revolt against British rule.
1909 - Colombia recognizes the independence of Panama.
1912 - The Prague Party Conference takes place.
1913 - First Balkan War: During the Naval Battle of Lemnos, Greek admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis forces the Turkish fleet to retreat to its base within the Dardanelles, from which it did not venture for the rest of the war.
1914 - The Ford Motor Company announces an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage of $5 for a day's labor.
1918 - The Free Committee for a German Workers Peace, which would become the Nazi party, is founded.
1925 - Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming becomes the first female governor in the United States.
1933 - Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins in San Francisco Bay.
1940 - FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time.
1944 - The Daily Mail becomes the first transoceanic newspaper.
1945 - The Soviet Union recognizes the new pro-Soviet government of Poland.
1949 - Work begins on the foundation of Basildon new town, in Essex, England.
1968 - Alexander Dubček comes to power: "Prague Spring" begins in Czechoslovakia.
1969 - Members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary damage property and assault occupants in the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In response, residents erect barricades and establish Free Derry.
1972 - U.S. President Richard Nixon orders the development of a space shuttle program.
1974 - An earthquake in Lima, Peru, kills six people, and damages hundreds of houses.
1975 - The Tasman Bridge in Tasmania, Australia, is struck by the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra, killing twelve people.
1976 - Cambodia is renamed Democratic Kampuchea by the Khmer Rouge.
1993 - The oil tanker MV Braer runs aground on the coast of the Shetland Islands, spilling 84,700 tons of crude oil.
1993 - Washington state executes Westley Allan Dodd by hanging (the first legal hanging in America since 1965).
1996 - Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone.
2005 - Eris, the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system, is discovered by the team of Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz using images originally taken on October 21, 2003, at the Palomar Observatory.
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