Della Arnold Root, the daughter of Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root, discusses the controversial ball that her father pitched to Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series that Ruth allegedly predicted he would hit into the stands. According to Root’s daughter, the idea that Ruth had called his shot was … Continue reading
“While I still have got breath in my lungs I will tell you what a dandy car you make…” Notorious American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow–known together as Bonnie and Clyde–died on May 23, 1934 in Henry Ford’s V8-powered Model B shot by four Texas officers. Ford allegedly received … Continue reading
“I found this data of such import that I have convened a Board…” The following letter was written by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to Leó Szilárd and Albert Einstein’s letter about creating a program–what will later be known as the “Manhattan Project”–for the creation of atomic bombs in … Continue reading
“Some recent work …leads me to expect that the element uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy in the immediate future…” The following is a letter authored predominantly by Hungarian-American physicist Leó Szilárd, but signed by Albert Einstein. It is known as the Einstein-Szilárd letter … Continue reading
Sports writers and baseball players such as Willie Mays, Tommy Lasorda and Yogi Berra talk about their relationships with Joe Dimaggio. Willie Mays talks about how Dimaggio was his icon as he was growing up playing baseball because he was talented in all parts of the game. Tommy Lasorda calls … Continue reading
“It is quite clear that you are today the one person in the world who can prevent a war…” The following is a letter from Gandhi to Adolf Hitler written on July 23, 1939 before the official beginning of World War II. It is transcribed below: Dear friend, … Continue reading
“Hemingway was here for a few days—but once you meet him you’re not likely to forget him…” During the Spanish Civil War, many foreign volunteers arrived in Spain in order to try to prevent the Spanish Republican government from falling to fascism. This is a letter from a female American … Continue reading
Lou Gehrig is commemorated as people who witnessed his farewell speech in Yankee stadium on July 4, 1939 remember his powerful words and emotions. They talk about the trophy his teammates presented to him, as well as the meaningful embrace between Gehrig and old teammate Babe Ruth. Gehrig was the … Continue reading
On April 12, 1935, baseball legend Lou Gehrig and former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey met at New York City’s famous gym run by Artie McGovern. The opening day of the gym was four days later. This rare footage from Witnify was featured by the New York Times on July 4, … Continue reading
The first inductees Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Connie Mack and more are seen in this footage celebrating the opening and dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on June 12, 1939 in Cooperstown, New York.
