The American Cream Draft is a rare draft horse breed, the only such breed developed in the United States that is still in existence. It is recognized by its cream color, known as "gold champagne", produced by the action of the champagne gene upon a chestnut base color, and by its amber eyes, also characteristic of the gene; the only other color found in the breed is chestnut. Like several other breeds of draft horses, the American Cream is at risk for the autosomal recessive genetic disease junctional epidermolysis bullosa. The breed was developed in Iowa during the early 20th century, beginning with a cream-colored mare named Old Granny. The Great Depression threatened the breed's existence, but several breeders worked to improve the color and type of the breed, and in 1944 a breed registry was formed. The mechanization of farming in the mid-20th century led to a decrease in the breed's population and the registry became inactive for several decades. It was reactivated in 1982 and population numbers have slowly grown since then. However, population numbers are still considered critical by The Livestock Conservancy and the Equus Survival Trust.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

425:

Valentinian III became emperor of the Western Roman Empire at the age of six. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentinian_III

1812:

General Claude François de Malet began a conspiracy to overthrow Napoleon, claiming that the Emperor died in Russia and that he was now the commandant of Paris. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malet_coup_of_1812

1956:

The Hungarian Revolution began as a peaceful student demonstration which attracted thousands as it marched through central Budapest to the Parliament building. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1956

1983:

Lebanese Civil War: Suicide bombers destroyed two barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. servicemen and 58 French paratroopers of the international peacekeeping force. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_Beirut_barracks_bombing

1993:

The Troubles: A Provisional Irish Republican Army's attempted bombing of a meeting of loyalist paramilitary leaders failed, killing one of the perpetrators, one UDA member and eight civilians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shankill_Road_bombing

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

palatal: 1. (anatomy) Pertaining to the palate. 2. (dentistry, not comparable) Of an upper tooth, on the side facing the palate. 3. (phonetics) Articulated at the hard palate. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/palatal

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Nothing is more curious than the almost savage hostility that Humour excites in those who lack it.   --George Saintsbury https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_Saintsbury