Laura Secord (1775–1868) was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812, who undertook a 20-mile (32 km) walk out of American-occupied territory to warn British forces of an impending American attack. Secord's husband James was wounded at the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812, and was still recovering when the Americans invaded the Niagara Peninsula in 1813. During the occupation, Secord learned of a planned American attack, and stole away on the morning of 23 June to inform Lieutenant James FitzGibbon in the territory still controlled by the British. The information helped the British and their Mohawk warrior allies repel the invading Americans at the Battle of Beaver Dams. Her contribution to the war was little known during her lifetime, but since her death she has been frequently honoured by Canada. Honours bestowed on her include schools and a chocolate company named after her, as well as monuments, a museum, a memorial stamp, and a statue at the Valiants Memorial in the Canadian capital. Her story has taken on mythological overtones in her home country, with many embellished versions of the tale, and she is the subject of books, poetry, and plays.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1280:

Reconquista: Troops of the Emirate of Granada defeated those of the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Leon in the Battle of Moclín. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mocl%C3%ADn_(1280)

1780:

American Revolutionary War: The Continental Army victory in the Battle of Springfield effectively put an end to British ambitions in New Jersey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Springfield_(1780)

1926:

The College Board administered the first SAT, a major standardized test for university and college admissions in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT

1956:

Gamal Abdel Nasser became President of Egypt, a post he would hold until his death in 1970. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser

1991:

The video game Sonic the Hedgehog was first released, propelling the Sega Genesis 16-bit console into mass popularity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(1991_video_game)

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

unbeknownst: (followed by to) Without the knowledge of. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/unbeknownst

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not intend. Art isn't your pet — it's your kid. It grows up and talks back to you.   --Joss Whedon https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon