Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History – Page 2

Feb

2024

By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 12th: “The Scream” Stolen In Oslo

What Happened On February 12th? It was February 12th, 1994, the opening day of the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. With attention focused on the world's most renown athletes, something even chillier was going down within the walls of Oslo's National Gallery. Two masked figures, each armed with a pistol and a wire cutter, entered the museum shortly after 11:00 AM, despite it being the middle of the day. Their target was more valuable than the gold medals: Edvard Munch's, "The Scream." Within minutes, the thieves swiftly ripped the expressionist's artwork from its display and sarcastically left a note behind…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 10th: “Tom & Jerry” Debuted For The First Time!

Hollywood History

What Happened On February 10th? February 10th wasn't just any Saturday. Today in 1940, a mischievous alley cat named Jasper and a determined little mouse named Jinx (later Tom and Jerry) "paw-printed" their way into animation history. Though names and titles would definitely change, they stole the show in their debut, "Puss Gets the Boot," entertaining both adults and children across the nation! "Puss Gets the Boot" premiered alongside a lower-budget double feature at a small New York City theater. It was not your standard 'Hollywood premiere," yet, amidst the trivial main attraction, something magical happened. Tom, with his relentless…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 7th: The Fastest Solo Sail Around The Earth Completed

World History

What Happened On February 7th? On this day in 2005, Ellen MacArthur, a 28 year-old English yachtswoman, crossed the finish line in Ushant, France after sailing all by herself around the globe. Not only was this her second time sailing around the Earth, but she completing her circumnavigation in a record-breaking time. She deservedly is the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), as Queen Elizabeth appointed her a day after on February 8th. This was not a sprint by any means, and this grueling and dangerous marathon lasted 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds;…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 6th: The First Golf Ball Hit On The Moon

Sports History

What Happened On February 6th? On February 6th, 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard, commander of the Apollo 14 mission, became the first person to play golf on the Moon. But this wasn't your average weekend tee-off; it was a legendary attempt to pluck a few 6 irons. Shepard, a former Navy pilot known for his adventurous streak, wasn't content with just walking on the Moon. He yearned to leave a unique impact on such an exclusive and monumental journey. I mean, who wouldn't? So, he mischievously packed a modified Wilson 6-iron head (taped to a geology tool handle) and two specially designed…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 4th: The Day Facebook Was Released

Arts & Culture

What Happened On February 4th? On the night of February 4th in 2004, Mark Zuckerberg pressed publish on a website unlike any other. "TheFacebook" was aimed to solely connect Harvard students, but little did he know, this project would blossom into the social media titan it is today... Built with only $1,000 in seed funding, Facebook would amass over 3.049 billion monthly active users by 2023! Initially, "TheFacebook" offered a simple set of features - Create A Profile Add Friends Share Updates Its appeal, however, was undeniable. Within just a month, over 50% of Harvard's undergraduate population (1200-1500 users) had signed up. By…

Feb

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

February 2nd: Black Man Patented The First Ever Ice Cream Scoop

Arts & Culture

What Happened On February 2nd? February 2nd in the year 1897 holds the date when the United States Patent Office issued Patent No. 576,395 to Alfred L. Cralle. An African American inventor and businessman, Calle's product, the "ice-cream mold and disher," took off and shaped the $19.77 billion ice cream industry today! Prior to Cralle's invention, serving ice cream was typically very messy and inefficient. Spoons and ladles often resulted in uneven portions as there was no standard "ice cream scooper." Working as a porter at a Pittsburgh drugstore, Cralle was able to see these issues firsthand and was determined to find…

Jan

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

January 27th: Russian Officers Discovered Antarctica

World History

What Happened On January 27th? Today on January 27th in the year 1820, Russian naval officers Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev laid eyes on the desolate continent of Antarctica. Despite being the largest desert in the world (3.376 billion acres), Antarctica accounts for nearly 70% of the Earth's fresh water. Initiated by Emperor Alexander I of Russia, the Imperial Russian Expedition aimed to explore uncharted territories in the Southern Hemisphere. Setting sail from Rio de Janeiro in July 1819, Captain Bellingshausen commanded the lead ship Vostok while Lazarev led the Mirny. The expedition had two main objectives—scientific research…

Jan

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

January 26th: Helicopter Crash Steals Life Of Kobe Bryant

World History

What Happened on January 26th? The world wept on January 26, 2020 when Kobe and his daughter Gianna unexpectedly and tragically passed away in a helicopter crash. The outpouring of grief was global, as his legacy impacted millions and millions. While the pain of his loss remains prominent to this day, his spirit lives on, inspiring athletes, artists, and dreamers across the globe. Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-season NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, his dream team ever since he was a little boy. Often hailed as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, his dedication,…

Jan

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

January 24th: The Day Ted Bundy Was Executed

U.S. History

What Happened On January 24th? On January 24, 1989, one of America's most notorious serial killers, Ted Bundy, was executed. The heinous crimes that he committed is often associated with those of Jeffrey Dahmer, as both serial killers targeted a specific demographic and were extremely cunning with their actions. On the day of his execution at Florida State Prison's electric chair, Bundy's victims' families, law enforcement, and the public awaited the closure that the execution would bring. The atmosphere outside the prison was gravely tense. Ted Bundy On Trial In his final moments, Bundy maintained an air of stoicism. The families…

Jan

2024

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By Professor Gregory J. Hayes, Ph.D. in Art History

January 9th: Longest Winning Streak In NBA History, Snapped

Sports History

What Happened On January 9th? In a highly anticipated clash of NBA titans, the Milwaukee Bucks achieved a stunning and unforgettable victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, the team who had not lost a single game in 65 days. On January 9, 1972, the Bucks snapped the Lakers' extraordinary consecutive win streak at an astonishing 33 games, delivering a resounding 120-104 triumph. The Lakers, led by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, had been on an unparalleled run of success, showcasing their dominance throughout the 1971-1972 season. However, the Bucks, helmed by the remarkable Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, were determined to…