Good morning.

It’s a lovely Sunday for us: mostly sunny, a high of thirty-three, and light west winds.

On this day in 1917, America learns of a German promise to split part of the United States should America and Germany go to war:

During World War I, British authorities give Walter H. Page, the U.S. ambassador to Britain, a copy of the “Zimmermann Note,” a coded message from Arthur Zimmermann, the German foreign secretary, to Count Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador to Mexico. In the telegram, intercepted and deciphered by British intelligence in late January, Zimmermann stated that in the event of war with the United States, Mexico should be asked to enter the conflict as a German ally. In return, Germany promised to restore to Mexico the lost territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

After receiving the telegram, Page promptly sent a copy to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who in early March allowed the U.S. State Department to publish the note. The press initially treated the telegram as a hoax, but Arthur Zimmermann himself confirmed its authenticity. The Zimmermann Note helped turn U.S. public opinion, already severely strained by repeated German attacks on U.S. ships, firmly against Germany. On April 2, President Wilson, who had initially sought a peaceful resolution to end World War I, urged the immediate U.S. entrance into the war. Four days later, Congress formally declared war against Germany.

Zimmerman’s admission – intended to intimidate America – had the opposite effect.  Coupled with a sober Mexican military analysis that concluded German promises of aid would prove wholly inadequate, and that a war for territory could not be won, the note’s an example of German ignorance of conditions in the Americas.

Google-a-Day asks about tennis: “The 2010 tennis match that lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes beat the previous record for the longest match by how many hours?”

Saturday in the Whippet City brings flurries, and a high of twenty-eight. 10h 56m of sunlight and 11h 53m of daylight await us.

On this day in 1954, not so long ago really, results confirm the effectiveness of Jonas Salk’s vaccination for polio. The news appeared in the New York Times a few weeks later:

New Orleans, March 11 — The latest tests on children with the anti-polio vaccine have revealed that the vaccine provides the body with lasting defensive powers against the three types of viruses causing the disease, it was reported tonight.

This was described as the long-sought answer to a vital question, making it practically certain not only that the vaccine will produce effective immunity against all three types of polio but also that the immunity will be of the lasting type, possibly for the individual’s lifetime.

On this day in 1846, a malted-milk magnate is born:

1846 – William Horlick Born
On this date William Horlick was born in Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England. A noted food manufacturer and philanthopist, Horlick arrived in the U.S. in 1869 and settled in Racine. In 1872 he moved to Chicago with his brother and began to manufacture food products. In 1876 his company moved to Racine where he began to experiment with creating a dried milk product.

In 1887 he trademarked Malted Milk. In 1889 he opened a company branch in New York City and another in England the following year. He constructed additional plants in Racine in 1902 and 1905. The company name was changed to Horlick’s Malted Milk Co. in 1906.

This success enabled Horlick to achieve a widespread reputation as a philanthropist in Racine. He also helped fund the first Byrd expedition to the South Pole and the Amundsen expedition to the North Pole. After his death in 1936, control of the company passed to his son, Ander James Horlick. [Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography, SHSW 1960, pg. 177]

Google-a-Day asks about film: “What kind of parent does a dad describe himself as in the 2012 Academy Award-nominated movie set in Hawaii?”

Good morning.

Friday brings snow, mixed with freezing drizzle in the morning, a high of thirty-one, with snow accumulation during the day of around an inch.

On 2.22.1980, against all expectations, America defeats the Soviet Union in hockey at the Winter Olympic Games, 4-3 (later those games to win the gold medal):

Lake Placid, N.Y., Feb. 22 — In one of the most startling and dramatic upsets in Olympic history, the underdog United States hockey team, composed in great part of collegians, defeated the defending champion Soviet squad by 4-3 tonight.

The victory brought a congratulatory phone call to the dressing room from President Carter and set off fireworks over this tiny Adirondack village. The triumph also put the Americans in a commanding position to take the gold medal in the XIII Olympic Winter Games, which will end Sunday.

On this day in 1950, a Wisconsin politician’s accusations lead to a Red-scare committee:

1950 – McCarthy Committee Formed to Investigate Red Scare
On this date, at the suggestion of Senate Majority Leader Scott Lucas, the five-member Tyding Committee was created. This group was a subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee and was charged with the sole purpose of investigating Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy’s accusations of communist activities. [Source: Fox Valley Turning Points]

Google-a-Day asks a film and pop culture question: “The Oscar nominated movie released in 2011 that received a “fresh” rating of less than 50% on “Rotten Tomatoes,” was based on a book by what author?”