The McKinley Birthplace Memorial gold dollar was a commemorative coin struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1916 and 1917, designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber, and the reverse by his assistant, George T. Morgan. As President William McKinley had appeared on a version of the 1903-dated Louisiana Purchase Exposition gold dollar, the 1916 release made him the first person to appear on two issues of U.S. coins. The coins were to benefit the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial at Niles, Ohio. The issue was originally proposed as a silver dollar; this was changed when it was realized it would not be appropriate to honor a president who had supported the gold standard with such a piece. The coins were poorly promoted, and did not sell well. Despite an authorized mintage of 100,000, only about 20,000 were sold, many of these at a reduced price to Texas coin dealer B. Max Mehl. Another 10,000 pieces were returned to the Mint for melting.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1905:

Authorities of the British Raj partitioned the Bengal Presidency, separating the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_of_Bengal_%281905%29

1943:

The Holocaust: The Gestapo conducted a raid on the Roman Ghetto, capturing 1,259 members of the Jewish community, most of whom were sent to Auschwitz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_of_the_Ghetto_of_Rome

1964:

With the success of Project 596 (mushroom cloud pictured), China became the world's fifth nuclear power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_596

1991:

A man drove his vehicle through the window of a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, and opened fire, killing 23 people before he committed suicide. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luby%27s_shooting

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

chicory: 1. (countable, botany) Either of two plants of the Asteraceae family. 2. (chiefly Britain) The common chicory (Cichorium intybus), the source of Belgian endive, radicchio, and sugarloaf. 3. (chiefly Canada, US) The endive (Cichorium endivia, the source of escarole and frisée. 4. (uncountable, cooking) A coffee substitute made from the roasted roots of the common chicory, sometimes used as a cheap adulterant in real coffee. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chicory

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

These days I see America identified more and more with material things, less and less with spiritual standards. These days I see America acting abroad as an arrogant, selfish, greedy nation interested only in guns and dollars, not in people and their hopes and aspirations. We need a faith that dedicates us to something bigger and more important than ourselves or our possessions. Only if we have that faith will we be able to guide the destiny of nations in this the most critical period of world history.   --William O. Douglas https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_O._Douglas