December 23 holds some fascinating milestones in history that you might not have heard about. It marks the day, 39 years ago, when The Voyager made an astonishing non-stop flight around the world, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager. Flying for nine days without a bathroom break in a cockpit barely bigger than a bathtub is something most of us can’t even imagine, talk about dedication! Built mainly by passionate volunteers, this remarkable feat set an aviation record that still stands today.
But that’s not all this day celebrates. Alice H. Parker, an African-American inventor, also made history today by patenting the gas heating furnace, changing how homes were heated and sparing many from the chore of chopping wood through bitter winters. Her invention paved the way for modern heating systems, emphasizing the importance of innovation, especially from underrepresented voices in history.
In more recent memory, December 23 also marks the survival story of the Andes flight crash survivors. After two months of desperation and unexpected choices for survival, they finally secured help. Imagine facing such unimaginable adversity—what would you do?
These stories from December 23 remind us of the incredible limits human beings can push against and the innovative minds that can change the world. It makes us ponder how we can contribute to history ourselves, doesn’t it?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
