Laura Secord (1775–1868) was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812,
who undertook a 20-mile (32 km) walk out of American-occupied territory
to warn British forces of an impending American attack. Secord's husband
James was wounded at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, and was
still recovering when the Americans invaded the Niagara Peninsula in
1813. During the occupation, Secord learned of a planned American
attack, and stole away on the morning of 23 June to inform Lieutenant
James FitzGibbon in the territory still controlled by the British. The
information helped the British and their Mohawk warrior allies repel the
invading Americans at the Battle of Beaver Dams. Her contribution to the
war was little known during her lifetime, but since her death she has
been frequently honoured by Canada. Honours bestowed on her include
schools and a chocolate company named after her, as well as monuments, a
museum, a memorial stamp, and a statue at the Valiants Memorial in the
Canadian capital. Her story has taken on mythological overtones in her
home country, with many embellished versions of the tale, and she is the
subject of books, poetry, and plays.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1280:
Reconquista: Troops of the Emirate of Granada defeated those of
the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Leon in the Battle of Moclín.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mocl%C3%ADn_(1280)>
1780:
American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army victory in the
Battle of Springfield effectively put an end to British ambitions in New
Jersey.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Springfield_(1780)>
1926:
The College Board administered the first SAT, a major
standardized test for university and college admissions in the United
States.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT>
1956:
Gamal Abdel Nasser became President of Egypt, a post he would
hold until his death in 1970.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser>
1991:
The video game Sonic the Hedgehog was first released,
propelling the Sega Genesis 16-bit console into mass popularity.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(1991_video_game)>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
unbeknownst:
(followed by to) Without the knowledge of.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/unbeknownst>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not
intend. Art isn't your pet — it's your kid. It grows up and talks back
to you.
--Joss Whedon
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon>