The Stone Mountain Memorial half dollar was an American fifty-cent piece struck in 1925. Its main purpose was to raise money for the Stone Mountain Memorial – a large sculpture in memory of Confederate general Robert E. Lee on a huge rock outcropping near Atlanta, Georgia. The obverse of the coin (pictured) features Lee and Stonewall Jackson; the reverse has the caption "Memorial to the Valor of the Soldier of the South". Stone Mountain and the coin were designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who, like other proponents, was a Ku Klux Klan member. To appease Northerners, the proposed coin was also to honor the recently deceased president, Warren G. Harding, but all reference to him was removed, by order of his successor, Calvin Coolidge. Extensive sales efforts for the coin took place throughout the South, though these were hurt by the firing of Borglum in 1925, which alienated many of his supporters. A 1928 audit of the fundraising showed excessive expenses and misuse of money, and construction halted the same year—a scaled- down sculpture was completed in 1970. Due to the large quantities issued, the Stone Mountain Memorial half dollar remains inexpensive compared with other U.S. commemoratives.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1593:

Ottoman forces were crushingly defeated by the Habsburgs at Sisak (now in Croatia), triggering the Long War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sisak

1813:

War of 1812: After learning of American plans for a forthcoming surprise attack, Laura Secord set out on a 30 km (19 mi) journey from Queenston, Ontario, Upper Canada, on foot to warn Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord

1937:

Camille Chautemps became Prime Minister of France for the third time, in the second Popular Front ministry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Chautemps

1986:

Argentine footballer Diego Maradona scored both the "Hand of God goal" and the "Goal of the Century" against England during the quarter-final match of the FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_v_England_(1986_FIFA_World_Cup)

2009:

Two Metro trains in Washington, D.C., collided, killing nine people and injuring 80 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2009_Washington_Metro_train_collision

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

avocation: 1. A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit. 2. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avocation

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. All these and other factors combined, if the circumstances are right, can teach and can lead to rebirth.   --Anne Morrow Lindbergh https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Anne_Morrow_Lindbergh