The Flying Eagle cent is a one-cent piece that was struck by the Mint of the United States as a pattern coin in 1856, and released for circulation on May 25, 1857. The coin was designed by Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, with the eagle in flight based on the work of Longacre's predecessor, Christian Gobrecht. By the early 1850s, the large cent in circulation (about the size of a half dollar) was becoming both unpopular in commerce and expensive to coin. After experimenting with various sizes and compositions, the Mint decided on an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel for a new, smaller cent. After the Mint produced patterns with an 1856 date and gave them to legislators and officials, Congress formally authorized the new piece in February 1857. It was issued in exchange for the worn Spanish colonial silver coin that had circulated in the U.S. until then, as well as for its larger predecessor. So many cents were issued that they choked commercial channels, especially as they were not legal tender and no one had to take them. The eagle design did not strike well, and was replaced in 1859 by Longacre's Indian Head cent.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1810:

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, marking the end of the May Revolution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Revolution

1878:

Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore (poster featured) opened at the Opera Comique in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S._Pinafore

1961:

During a speech to a joint session of the United States Congress, U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced his support for the Apollo space program, with "the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_program

1977:

Star Wars, a science fantasy film written and directed by George Lucas, was released, eventually becoming one of the most successful films of all time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_(film)

2009:

North Korea conducted a nuclear test and several other missile tests that were widely condemned by the international community and led to sanctions from the United Nations Security Council. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_North_Korean_nuclear_test

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

sand boil: 1. (geology) An eruption of water through a bed of sand due, for instance, to seismic activity, or to differences in water pressure on two sides of a levee which causes water to penetrate beneath the levee. 2. (pathology, rare) A boil which forms when sand particles enter and irritate the skin. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sand_boil

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

This must be Thursday... I never could get the hang of Thursdays.   --The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy