July 26

1775 – The office that would later become the United States Post Office Department is established by the Second Continental Congress. 1788 – New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States. In 1785 until 1789 New York City was the first capital under the Articles of Confederation,...
The Potsdam Conference

Arterial Aesthetics

The median that separates a heavily traveled roadway beneath the FDR Drive from adjacent paths used by cyclists and pedestrians will soon get a splash of color, thanks to State Senator Daniel Squadron. Earlier this year, the Senator recruited the Hester Street Collaborative — a non-profit that seeks to empower residents of underserved communities with...
A conceptual rendering of the public art project that will soon enliven the South Street Greenway, as part of the ongoing renaissance of the East River waterfront.

Rowing The Atlantic

10 weeks at sea. Good moaning! Actually, apart from isolation, same meager, menu daily, miserable toilet and washing facilities, dirty clothes, unwashed hair, damp bed, calloused hands and pimpled bottom, I have nothing to moan about! On the contrary, during the night, Neptune decided to assist after all and gradually my speed increased and the...
Rowing the Atlantic

July 25

1603 – James VI of Scotland is crowned king of England (James I of England), bringing the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into personal union. A personal union is the combination of two or more countries that have the same leader while their borders, laws, and interests remain distinct. Political union wouldn’t occur...

EYES TO THE SKY

At the height of summer, a blue-white sapphire-of-a-star appears near the top of the sky in the east at dusk, soon followed by a pale citrine point of starlight below. By 9:15 p.m. a third, dimmer star completes one of the season’s great celestial patterns, the Summer Triangle. The stars, Vega, Altair and Deneb, are...