February 11th

~~This Day in History:

Thomas Edison in his Laboratory

-- On this day in 1847, inventor Thomas Alva Edison was born. Edison is possibly the most famous and influential inventors in the modern age. His creations numbered over 100, and some of them include the modern light-bulb, the phonograph (voice recorder), and first motion picture camera. The light bulb was one of the most influential inventions in modern history. More than 90% of Americans have 2 or more light bulbs in their homes. The phonograph he created was poorly designed, recorded on tin foil, and could only be replayed several times. He is justly called "the Wizard of Menlo Park". In 1832, he said this about his career:
"Genius is one percent inspiration. Ninety-nine percent is perspiration".

-- On this day in 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers seize control of Iran from the Shah. It was a turning point in Iranian history. Ever since then, the country has entered a "dark age". The Shah is still out of power, and one of Ayatollah Khomeini's most committed followers, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is now "president" of the country.

-- On this day in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from a life-sentence in prison. The South African was a supporter of the South African Communist Party, and the USSR "indirectly" backed him, attempting to have Communist rule in one of the world's most geographically strategic points: Cape of Good Hope. They were unsuccessful, and Mandela went to prison. He re-emerged in 1990, and won the election, becoming South Africa's first anti-arpetheid head-of-state in centuries. He won over 250 international awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.

~~Random Fact of the Day:

 “J” is the only letter of the alphabet not used in the atomic symbol for any element.