Today in History: October 18 (Quiz)

[C] Symphonic Poem "Prometheus" | Franz Liszt's symphonic poem "Prometheus" was premiered on October 18, 1855. This work is part of Liszt's series of thirteen symphonic poems, which are instrumental works designed to convey a poetic idea or narrative. "Prometheus" is inspired by the Greek mythological figure who steals fire from the gods and gives it to humanity, embodying the spirit of progress and the pursuit of knowledge. The piece is known for its dramatic and innovative use of harmony and orchestration, reflecting Liszt's contributions to the Romantic era in music.

[B] The United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million | On October 18, 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia in a deal negotiated by Secretary of State William H. Seward. The purchase, which cost $7.2 million, was a strategic move to secure a foothold in the North Pacific and to deny a potential British presence there. The acquisition was initially met with skepticism by some who dubbed it "Seward's Folly," but its value became more apparent with the discovery of gold and its strategic importance during World War II. Alaska was eventually admitted as the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959.

[D] Charles Babbage | Charles Babbage, born in 1791, was a British mathematician and inventor who is often referred to as the "father of the computer" due to his pioneering work on the design of the first mechanical computers. His inventions, the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, were instrumental in the development of modern computer architecture.

[A] M. Baudry | On October 18, 1910, M. Baudry became the first person to fly a dirigible across the English Channel, marking a significant moment in the history of aviation. He made the journey from La Motte-Breil in France to Wormwood Scrubbs in England, covering the 244-mile (393-kilometer) distance in less than six hours. This pioneering flight demonstrated the potential of airships for long-distance travel and helped to advance the field of aviation.

[C] Charles Strite | Charles Strite, an American inventor, was granted US patent #1,394,450 on October 18, 1921, for his invention of the automatic pop-up toaster. This innovation significantly improved the safety and convenience of toasting bread and laid the foundation for the modern pop-up toasters we use today.

[D] British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) | The British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC, was established on October 18, 1922. The BBC has been a cornerstone of British media, providing news, educational content, and entertainment both within the UK and around the world.

[B] Thomas Edison | Thomas Edison, a famous American inventor, passed away on October 18, 1931, at the age of 84 from diabetes-related complications. He was known for many inventions, including the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and an early motion picture camera. His contributions to technology had a significant impact on the modern world.

[C] The first commercial transistor radio | Texas Instruments Inc. made a groundbreaking announcement on October 18, 1954, introducing the world's first commercial transistor radio, the Regency TR-1. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of consumer electronics, as it ushered in an era of portable music and communication devices.

[A] Jesse Owens | On October 18, 1955, "Track & Field" magazine bestowed the title of all-time track athlete upon Jesse Owens. This accolade recognized Owens' extraordinary achievements in the sport, most notably his four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. His victories in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay were particularly remarkable, as they defied the racial stereotypes of the era and served as a testament to his athletic prowess.

[B] James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins | On October 18, 1962, James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their contributions to determining the molecular structure of DNA. Watson and Crick are best known for their discovery of the double-helix structure, while Wilkins' work on X-ray diffraction studies of DNA fibers was instrumental in this groundbreaking achievement. Their collective work revolutionized the field of biology and provided a foundation for understanding genetic inheritance and molecular biology. It's worth noting that Rosalind Franklin's research, particularly her work on X-ray diffraction images known as "Photo 51," was critical to the discovery, but she was not awarded the Nobel Prize due to her unfortunate passing at a young age and the prize's rules regarding posthumous nominations.

[A] The Indiana Pacers vs. The San Antonio Spurs | The first ABA regular season game in 1974 took place on October 18, 1974, when the Indiana Pacers faced off against the San Antonio Spurs at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. The Pacers lost the game 121-129 in double overtime, with a crowd of 7,473 fans witnessing this historic event. This game not only kicked off the season but also highlighted the competitive nature of the ABA, which was one of the two major professional basketball leagues in the United States at the time, alongside the NBA.

[C] Nate Thurmond | On October 18, 1974, Nate Thurmond, playing for the Chicago Bulls, made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to record an official quadruple-double. This remarkable feat occurred during his debut game with the Bulls, in which they played against the Atlanta Hawks.

[D] William Lipscomb | William N. Lipscomb Jr. was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1976 for his groundbreaking studies on the structure of boranes, which shed light on problems of chemical bonding.

[D] New York Yankees | The New York Yankees won the World Series on October 18, 1977, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers with a score of 8-4 in Game 6. This victory marked the Yankees' 21st World Series title and their first since 1962, which was a span of 15 years.

[B] Tom Brady | On October 18, 2009, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made history by throwing five touchdown passes in the second quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans. This remarkable achievement set an NFL record for the most touchdown passes in a single quarter.