The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range, wide-body airliner and cargo aircraft manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States. On September 30, 1968, the first 747 was rolled out of the custom-built Everett Plant, the largest building in the world by volume. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the 747 was certified that December. Entering service with Pan Am on January 22, 1970, it was the first airplane dubbed a "Jumbo Jet". The 747 is a quadjet, with ten-abreast economy seating typically accommodating 366 passengers. It has a pronounced 37.5° wing sweep, allowing a Mach 0.85 (490 kn; 560 mph; 900 km/h) cruise speed. Boeing introduced the -200 in 1971, with more powerful engines for a heavier maximum takeoff weight and a longer range. The heavier 747-400 was introduced in 1989 and is the most common variant. By June 2020, 1,556 aircraft had been built. As of 2020, 61 Boeing 747s have been lost in accidents, in which 3,722 people have died.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1881:

Under threat of invasion, Muhammad III as-Sadiq, Bey of Tunis, signed the Treaty of Bardo to make Tunisia a French protectorate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_conquest_of_Tunisia

1941:

German engineer Konrad Zuse presented the Z3 (replica pictured), the first working programmable and fully automatic computer, to an audience of scientists in Berlin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z3_%28computer%29

2008:

An earthquake registering approximately 8.0 Ms struck the Chinese province of Sichuan, killing at least 69,000 people, injuring at least 374,000, and leaving at least 4.8 million others homeless. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

motherhood statement: (chiefly Canada, US) A vague, feel-good platitude, especially one made by a politician, that few people would disagree with. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/motherhood_statement

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

When shall we see a life full of steady enthusiasm, walking straight to its aim, flying home, as that bird is now, against the wind — with the calmness and the confidence of one who knows the laws of God and can apply them?   --Florence Nightingale https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale