Good morning.

Whitewater’s Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high temperature of eighty-three, and southeast winds of about 5 mph.

On this day in 1914, a declaration of war from the long-since defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire began World War One.

On this day in 1868, America adopted the 14th Amendment:

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that sometimes a model village is a bad model:

1934 – Two killed, 40 hurt in Kohler riot; National Guard occupies town

On this day, the “model industrial village” of Kohler became an armed camp of National Guard cavalrymen after deadly strike-related rioting. The July 27th violence, which killed two Sheboygan men and injured 40 others, prompted the summoning of 250 Guardsmen to join the 200 special deputy village marshals already present.

After striking workers became agitated and began to destroy company property, deputies turned to tear gas, rifles, and shotguns to quell the stone-throwing crowd, resulting in the deaths and injuries. Owner Walter Kohler blamed Communists and outside agitators for the violence, while union leaders blamed Kohler exclusively. Workers at the Kohler plant were demanding better hours, higher wages, and recognition of the American Federation of Labor as their collective bargaining agent. Not settled until 1941, the strike marked the beginning of what was to become a prolonged struggle between the Kohler Company and organized labor in Wisconsin; a second Kohler strike lasted from 1954 to 1965. [Source: Capital Times 7/28/1934, p.1]

Google’s daily puzzle asks about a drink: “If you asked for “two cents plain” during the Great Depression, you’d be handed a drink invented by whom?”

Good morning.

For Whitewater’s Friday, a chance of showers in the morning, on a day with a high of eighty-two.

On this day in 1953, the armistice ending the Korean War was signed in Panmunjom, ending three years of fighting.

LiveScience.com offers an Olympics-themed video on why Usain Bolt is so fast:

The Wisconsin Historical Society marks this day in 1894 as one of the worst disasters in state history:

1894 – Forest Fire Destroys Phillips

On the afternoon of this day, a forest fire swept over the Price Co. town of Phillips from the west, destroying nearly all the buildings and forcing 2,000 people to flee for their lives. When the sun came up the next morning, 13 people had been killed, the entire downtown was in ashes, and exhausted survivors were wandering through the ruins in a daze. The fire ultimately consumed more than 100,000 acres in Price County. Much of the town was rebuilt within a year.

Google’s daily puzzle  asks about a sticky situation: “You’re stuck in a black hole. How many miles per second must you travel to break free from the gravitational well?”

Good morning.

Whitewater’s Thursday forecast calls for a partly sunny day, with a high of ninety, and northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the post office:

‘Fearless Felix’ Baumgartner jumped from a balloon 96,000 feel above the earth, using a pressure suit, and set a personal best for having done so. He’s easily earned his nickname:

‘Fearless Felix’ falls far fast: krqe.com

Google’s daily puzzle asks about the value of art, during an artist’s career: “How much did Vincent Van Gogh earn from selling his paintings during his lifetime?”

Good morning.

It’s a hot Wednesday for Whitewater, with a high temperature of about 100, and a heat index as high as 104.

This morning at 8 AM, Downtown Whitewater’s board meets.

On this day in 1978, “Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first baby to be conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) is born at Oldham and District General Hospital in Manchester, England, to parents Lesley and Peter Brown”:

The Wisconsin Historical Society marks today in 1999 as a memorable one for Brewers fans:

1999 – First Brewer Inducted into Hall of Fame

On this date Robin Yount became the first player inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in a Brewer’s jersey. Yount entered the major leagues at the age of eighteen and spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers as number 19 at short stop and center field. His awards are numerous, including being selected as an all-star three times as well as American league MVP twice. [Source: Milwaukee Brewers]

Google’s daily puzzle asks about a planet’s size: “You’re looking at a planet in our solar system that could float on water, despite its enormous size. How many times bigger than the Earth is this planet?”