Popcorn Day
Popcorn dates back over 5,000 years, with evidence suggesting it was enjoyed by Indigenous peoples in the Americas. The snack became a cinema staple during the Great Depression because it was affordable and easy to prepare. The world’s largest popcorn ball weighed over 9,000 pounds! Each kernel pops when its internal moisture heats to around 180°C (356°F), creating steam that makes it explode.
Tin Can Day
Tin Can Day is celebrated on January 19th each year, honoring the invention of the tin can and its significant impact on food storage and preservation. The tin can was patented in 1810 by Peter Durand, a British merchant, who adapted the concept from earlier preservation methods. Initially, tin cans were handmade, making them expensive. The invention of can openers in the mid-1800s made them even more practical. Tin cans revolutionized the way food was preserved, extending shelf life and making it easier to transport goods globally.
Here are some notable events, births, and deaths from January 19th in history.
Historical Events
1419: The Hundred Years’ War—Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England, completing England’s conquest of Normandy.
1809: The first recorded U.S. Geological Survey is conducted by F.P. de Roos in the Arkansas territory.
1825: Ezra Daggett and Thomas Kensett patent their process for food storage in tin cans in the United States.
1915: The first German Zeppelin raid on Great Britain occurs, targeting towns in Norfolk and Suffolk.
1977: U.S. President Gerald Ford pardons Iva Toguri D’Aquino, aka Tokyo Rose, a Japanese-American convicted of treason during World War II.
Famous Birthdays
1807: Robert E. Lee, American Confederate general during the U.S. Civil War (d. 1870).
1839: Paul Cézanne, French post-impressionist painter influential in modern art (d. 1906).
1943: Janis Joplin, iconic American singer and songwriter known for her powerful voice (d. 1970).
1946: Dolly Parton, American country music legend, actress, and philanthropist.
1980: Jenson Button, British Formula One racing driver and world champion (2009).
Notable Deaths
1666: Anne of Austria, Queen of France as the wife of Louis XIII (b. 1601).
2000: Hedy Lamarr, Austrian-American actress and inventor, co-developer of technology that contributed to Wi-Fi (b. 1914).
2013: Stan Musial, American baseball legend and Hall of Famer (b. 1920).
