On This Day
1959 – Alaska is admitted as the 49th U.S. state.
Alaska (/əˈlæskə/ (About this soundlisten); Aleut: Alax̂sxax̂; Inupiaq: Alaskaq; Russian: Аляска, translit. Alyaska) is a U.S. state in the northwest extremity of North America. The Canadian administrative divisions of British Columbia and Yukon border the state to the east, its most extreme western part is Attu Island, and it has a maritime border with Russia (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug) to the west across the Bering Strait. To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas—the southern parts of the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest. It is the largest state in the United States by area and the seventh largest subnational division in the world. In addition, it is the 3rd least populous and the most sparsely populated of the 50 United States; nevertheless, it is by far the most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel in North America: its population—estimated at 738,432 by the United States Census Bureau in 2015[5]— is more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. Approximately half of Alaska’s residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. Alaska’s economy is dominated by the fishing, natural gas, and oil industries, resources which it has in abundance. Military bases and tourism are also a significant part of the economy.
The United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867, for 7.2 million U.S. dollars at approximately two cents per acre ($4.74/km2). The area went through several administrative changes before becoming organized as a territory on May 11, 1912. It was admitted as the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959.[6]
Born On This Day
1793 – Lucretia Mott, American activist (d. 1880)
Lucretia Mott (née Coffin; January 3, 1793 – November 11, 1880) was a U.S. Quaker, abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and social reformer. She had formed the idea of reforming the position of women in society when she was amongst the women excluded from the World Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840. In 1848 she was invited by Jane Hunt to a meeting that led to the first meeting about women’s rights. Mott helped write the Declaration of Sentiments during the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.
Her speaking abilities made her an important abolitionist, feminist, and reformer. When slavery was outlawed in 1865, she advocated giving former slaves who had been bound to slavery laws within the boundaries of the United States, whether male or female, the right to vote. She remained a central figure in the abolition and suffrage movement until her death in 1880.
Mott was a Quaker preacher early in her adulthood.
FYI
By Peter Sblendorio: Pegi Young, singer and ex-wife of Neil Young, dead at 66 after cancer battle
Margaret “Pegi” Young[1] (née Morton; December 1, 1952 – January 1, 2019)[2] was an American singer-songwriter, environmentalist, educator and philanthropist.
Her debut as a singer came in 1983 when she was a member of The Pinkettes, the backing vocalists of Neil Young’s Rock-a Billy Shocking Pinks tour. In 1994 she made her first nationwide TV appearance at the Academy Awards, singing backup on the song “Philadelphia”, composed by her husband.[3]
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Daryl Frank Dragon (August 27, 1942 – January 2, 2019)[2] was an American musician and songwriter, known as Captain from the pop musical duo Captain & Tennille with his then wife, Toni Tennille.[3]
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Stewart Robert Einstein (November 20, 1942 – January 2, 2019) was an American actor, comedy writer and producer. He was known for creating and performing the satirical stuntman character Super Dave Osborne. Einstein was also known for his roles as Marty Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Larry Middleman on Arrested Development.
Einstein got his start as a writer on several television variety shows, including The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Einstein won two Emmy Awards as a writer and was nominated four other times. He also won a CableACE Award for acting as Super Dave, along with five other nominations.
Einstein was the older brother of fellow actor and comedian Albert Brooks.
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Seems like a lot of effort for small payout–maybe this is the “trial run” for something larger?
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Muck Rack: Funny and sharp and sad all at once
It’s that time again! Muck Rack is looking for guest contributors to write for the Muck Rack Blog. In 2018, we published nearly 200 posts, many from guest contributors. Interested in writing for us in 2019? Find out what we’re looking for and how to pitch us here: Write for Muck Rack in 2019: We’re looking for guest contributors!
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Ideas
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Recipes
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