Born: May 21, 1916, Bronx, New York City, United States

Dennis Day was an American singer but of Irish descent. But he was a man of many talents! He was also well-known for presenting (radio), his TV personality and radio. His most famous songs include Clancy Lowered the Boom, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, Danny Boy, Dear Old Donegal, Mac Namara’s Band and I Promise I’ll Never Break Your Heart. And he released many more!

Charlie Christian

Born: July 29, 1916, in Texas, United States

Charlie Christian was an extremely talented American jazz guitarist. An interesting fact about Christian is that he was actually among the first musicians to ever use electrically amplified equipment for improvisation. He was a part of many famous songs! Such as Swing to Bop, Till Tom Special, Honeysuckle Rose, Six Appeal, Profoundly Blue, I Found a New Baby, Waitin’ For Benny and Guys’ Got to Go.

Charles Fowlkes

Born: February 16, 1916, in New York, United States

Charles Fowlkes was an American saxophonist that was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra for over 25 years! The other members included Joe Keyes (soloist), Oran ‘Hot Lips’ Page (Trumpeter), Buster Smith (alto saxophone), Earle Warren (alto saxophone), Lester Young (tenor saxophone), Dan Minor (trombone) Jo Jones (drummer), Walter Page (bass) and Basie (piano). He played the saxophonist in many famous songs during the 1900s. Such as When I Fall in Love, Corner Pocket, Are You Havin’ Any Fun?, Salty Papa, Struttin’ Down His Broadway and Home Come You Do Me Like You Do.

Dinah Shore

Born: February 29, 1916, in Winchester, Tennessee, United States

Dinah Shore was a talented vocalist whose voice became known all over the world. She was the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s! Her popular songs include Lavender Blue, Laughin’ on the Outside, Yes, My Darling Daughter, You Keep Coming Back Like a Song, Blues in the Night and Dear Hearts and Gentle People. And if you don’t know these songs, you’ll definitely know her collaboration with Buddy Clark – Baby it’s Cold Outside.

Ken Curtis

Born: July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado, United States

Ken Curtis was an American singer who specialised in Country music. He was also a very well known actor, best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the CBS western television series Gunsmoke. His most famous songs include Ode To A Mule, What Makes A Man To Wander, Serenade Of The Cowboy, Six Shiny Black Horses, You’ll Live To See The Day and This Aint The Same Old Range.

John L. Nelson

Born: June 29, 1916, in Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States

John L. Nelson was an American jazz musician and songwriter! He was also known for his stage name, Prince Rogers. He wrote and produced many songs. And he was the father of the only and only super-star Prince! Which is what he’s most known for in history today. Some songs he produced include Don’t Play With Love, Runnin Through My Mind, Lucky Am I, Heart of Mine, Step Back and Christopher Tracy’s Parade.

M. S. Subbulakshmi

Born: September 16, 1916, in Madurai, India

M. S. Subbulakshmi was an Indian Classical Singer who was also known as ‘M.S, Queen of Music’ for her incredible voice and song releases. These include Oli Padaitha Kanninai, Kandu Kandu, Varuga Varugave, Maala Pozhuthinile, Jagadodharana, Bhavayami Ragamalika Rupakam Swati Tirunal and Suprabhatam. She won many awards throughout her career, including Bharat Ratna, Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Ray Ellington

Born: March 17, 1916, in Kennington, London, United Kingdom

Ray Ellington was an English singer, drummer and bandleader. He leads The Ray Ellington Quartet Musical Group into success, they were even nominated for NME Award For Small Band. The members included Ray Ellington, Dick Katz, Coleridge Goode and Lauderic Caton. His most famous songs include The Three Bears, Jump Over, Left Hand Boogie, The Madison, The Green Doctor, All’s Going Well, If You Can’t Say Something Nice and She’s a Home Girl.

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It wasn’t until 1930 that the urbanization of Las Vegas really took off. The rapid urbanization of Las Vegas took place when work started on Hoover Dam (also known as Boulder Dam or Boulder Canyon Dam). Which lead to an influx of young male workers. Therefore, many theatres and casinos were built to keep these workers entertained. The majority of the first casinos were built by the mafia and were not yet illegal. However, these attractions grew increasingly popular and started to attract tourists from all over. The rest is history!

Let’s take a look at some more interesting facts about gambling in Las Vegas…

When was gambling legalised in Las Vegas?

Gambling became legal soon after the rapid urbanization in Las Vegas, on Marth 19th, 1931. Not just in Las Vegas, but the whole of Nevada! Governor Fred Balzar signed Assembly Bill 98 to legalised all forms of gambling in an attempt to boost the countries morale after the Great Depression that began in 1929. The gaming industry rose quickly and many casinos were built.

What was the first casino built in Las Vegas?

Golden Gate Hotel & Casino (previously Hotel Nevada) was built in 1906 by John F. Miller. It’s said that its legacy from when they first opened the doors was the birth of Las Vegas. It’s located at 1 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101 and is a must-visit if you’re in the United States. It’s oozing with history and will undoubtedly give you the best Las Vegas gambling experience.

What was the most popular game in Las Vegas casinos upon opening?

The most popular casino game was the still extremely popular table game – poker! In early Las Vegas days, many players would gather with whiskey around wooden tables and play for hours. Not much has changed, but the poker tables are much bigger and modern. People loved it for its social aspect and it was the perfect game for tournaments or an activity to do with friends.

What other games could you find in Las Vegas Casinos during the first decade of opening?

When the casinos first opened you could find many of the classic table games that are still very much popular today. Including poker, blackjack, baccarat and roulette. Of course, over the years, many variations of these games are being created to keep players satisfied and entertained. But the basic rules of each remain the same. You could also find old fruity slot machines, that were created in 1894!

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1. 1916 was a leap year

A leap year happens once every four years! It includes the 29th of February, so if you were born then you technically only get to celebrate your birthday then. It happens so the calendar synchronises with the solar year!

2. A loaf of bread was about $.07

Yep that’s right, you could buy a loaf of bread from any bakery for as little as $.07! In comparison to today’s prices, where an average loaf of bread costs $2.50.

3. The modern light switch was invented

The modern light switch that we all use at present, was invented by John Henry Holmes. Holmes was a talented English Electrical Engineer born in Newcastle. His invention remains the basis for modern wall mounted light switches

4. The average price of a U.S. house was $5,000

You could be a homeowner in the U.S for an incredible $5,000! We have seen a huge increase in house prices over the years and the average home price in the U.S at present (2021) is $374,900.

5. The average price of a car was $400

Much like the low house prices, the prices of cars were also low. The average price of a decent car was $400 in 1916. Now the average price of a car in the U.S is a substantial $36,718! Many people opting to buy one on finance and paying either a monthly or annual fee with interest.

6. The tallest building in the world was the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower opened on March 31st, 1889 and was originally 1024 feet tall. It’s now 1063 feet tall due to antennas that were added. It lost its title in 1930 when the Empire State Building was built, standing at 1250 feet. The tallest building in the world at present (2021) is the Burj Khalifa which is over 2716.54 feet tall.

7. Albert Einstein completed his formulation of a general theory of relativity

Albert Einstein worked on this theory for over a decade and published it in full mathematical detail in 1916. It is essentially a theory of gravity and suggests that our perception of gravity is influenced by the curvature of space and time. He states that gravity, rather than being an invisible force, is a curving/warping of space.

8. 40-hour work weeks officially began in the Endicott-Johnson factories

The Endicott-Johnson factories were founded in 1899 by George F. Johnson and Henry Bradford Endicott. The factories were manufacturers of shoes. They were responsible for all military boots made for U.S soldiers during World War 1. Therefore, it was important that they were making these shoes quickly and meeting the demand. George F. Johnson, an American businessman, announced that in 1916 that it was now mandatory for each worker to work at least 40 hours per week. So they could hit the targets. Shortly after this came into place it spread to all industries and became the normal working hours per week.

9. The Easter Rising occurred in Ireland

The Easter Rising (also referred to as the Easter Rebellion) took place during Easter week, starting on the 24th of April. It was caused by resentment from the Catholic Irish towards settlers from England and Scotland. It took place in many locations over Ireland, including Dublin, Galway, Wexford, Meath and Louth.

10. The Battle of Verdun (WWI) began in France

The Battle of Verdun was the longest of the first world war. It started on the 21st of February and lasted until the 18th of December (1916). Verdun is a small city in northeast France. At present day, if you visit, you will still find many museums and memorials that remain. Altogether there were over 750,000 casualties – estimated at 400,000 France and 350,000 Germans.

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1. Rinkitink in Oz by L. Frank Baum

This book is part of the series of the Land of Oz books written by many different authors, including L. Frank Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Roger S. Baum and more! Rinkitink is the 10th edition. It is clear by the written language and colourful illustrations that Baum intended this book for children to read. However, it is definitely interesting enough for adults to enjoy too! It tells the story of the main characters King Rinkitink, Bilbil and Inga and takes you on the Oz adventure. Like all Land of Oz books, it eventually ties to Nome King, Dorthy and the Wizard of Oz.

2. The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain

Mark Twain was an extremely popular writer during the 1900s. He is mostly known for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer! But has published over 20 novels throughout this lifetime. The Mysterious Stranger was Twain’s last ever book published! In this book, you will find that many of the issues raised to correspond with today’s issues too. It essentially explores how mankind continues to shoot themselves in the foot. The story is told from a child’s perspective, Theodor Fisher. It is based around the Angel Satan and his meetings with Nikola Tesla. It is very philosophical and explores non-duality!

3. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

This book is semi-autobiographical fiction and Joyce tells his story in the narration of the main character, Stephen Dedalus. It takes you on his journey of a period of Dedalus’ life in which he devoted himself to religion before realising he wants to devote himself to being an artist. Which eventually leads him to leave his religion, his country (Ireland) and his family to pursue this dream. It takes you on a journey of Joyce’s early childhood (through his alter-ego Daedalus) from early childhood to adulthood.

4. Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher

This book tells the story of a 9-year orphan girl, Elizabeth Ann, who gains admiration and love from two different families. It takes you on her beautiful journey as she matures and learns valuable life lessons. It’s a story about love, friendship, growing, helping others, being kind and so many other important subjects for children. The main message is to love people for who they are, flaws and everything. And the book also reflects her belief that children learn best in natural settings rather than artificial environments as Ann discovers more about life through her experiences than in any school. It’s a great inspirational book for children and adults will even learn a few things too!

5. The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore

This book gives three first-person accounts that give many different philosophical outlooks which make this book extremely interesting. You’ll unquestionably find some diamond perspectives that will get you thinking and stopping for a moment to fully grasp the meaning. It is based on the movement for Indian independence leading up to the Partition that was yet to come in 1947. It gives insight into the traditional male and female roles in 1900s India. By telling the story of Nikhil, a traditional domestic wife with no expectations of ever diverging from the path set out for her. It is eye-opening and thought-provoking throughout.

6. Mr. Britling Sees It Through by H. G. Wells

This book tells the story of the main protagonist, Mr Britling, a complex character which many concerns that start to emerge. They are a result of the beginning of ‘The Great War’ and he describes his experiences of the first two years. It describes his life before the war as a comfortable, happy man who was rarely conflicted. The plot then goes on to present his growing confused and conflicted thoughts and feelings when the war starts. His peaceful and privileged life is starting to fade into the distance and he ponders if his life will ever return to normal.

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Roald Dahl (1916-1990)

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales to affluent Norwegian immigrant parents. He became a very successful Children’s Author that sold over 250 copies of his book worldwide. He’s without a doubt the no.1 children’s book author to many people! Let’s face it, the majority of us had our bookshelf filled with Roald Dahl books as a child. His most famous books include:

⦁ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A Play – published 1987
⦁ Matilda – published 1988
⦁ James and the Giant Peach – published 1961
⦁ The BFG – published 1982
⦁ The Witches – published 1983
⦁ The Twits – published 1980
⦁ Fantastic Mr Fox – published 1970
⦁ The Best of Roald Dahl – published 1978
⦁ George’s Marvellous Medicine – published 1981
⦁ Danny the Champion of the World – published 1975

Beverly Cleary (1916-2021)

Beverly Cleary was also a very well-known Children’s Author. She was born in McMinnville, Oregon in a small remote town on a farm. The town didn’t even have its own library so Clearys mother had to have books sent from the nearest library. From these books, she quickly developed a passion for writing and start to create her own stories. Her most famous books include:

⦁ Henry Huggins – published 1950
⦁ Dear Mr Henshaw – published 1983
⦁ Ralph S. Mouse – published 1982
⦁ Ramona the Pest – published 1968
⦁ Beezus and Ramona – published 1955
⦁ Ribsy – published 1964
⦁ The Mouse and the Motorcycle – published 1965
⦁ Ramona Quimby, Age 8 – published 1981

Kirk Douglas (1916-2020)

Kirk Douglas was a successful actor that was born in Amsterdam, New York. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants and he suffered from a poverty-stricken childhood. However, he didn’t let this stop him from pursuing his dreams to become an actor. He later moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his career and became a star in many hugely successful films. He usually plays an emotionally charged hero or antihero and had many leading roles. His most famous movies include Spartacus (1960), Lonely Are The Brave (1962), The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), Detective Story (1951) and Out of The Past (1947).

Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020)

Olivia de Havilland was a British-American movie actress born in Tokyo, Japan. She was unquestionably the leading female actress of her time and appeared in an incredible 48 films in total throughout her career. Many of these movies were extremely well-known all around the world. Such as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Heiress (1949), Captian Blood (1935), The Dark Mirror (1946) and Dodge City (1939). She was known for her usual role as a troubled beauty.

Gregory Peck (1916-2003)

Gregory Peck was a successful movie actor born in La Jolla, California, United States. He was one of the most popular male movies stars from the 1940s to the 1960s. He stared in many incredible films. Such as Moby Dick (1956), Roman Holiday (1953), The Gunfighter (1950), Spellbound (1945), The Keys of The Kingdom (1944), On The Beach (1959) and Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951). So it’s no surprise that he was nominated for many Oscars throughout his career. He eventually won an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Adriana Caselotti (1916-1997)

Adriana Caselotti was an American actress and singer born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States. She later moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. And she did just that. In fact, she became a Disney legend! She is most well-known for playing the voice of the popular Disney character Snow White. She sang all of the Snow White famous songs featured throughout the film and are still very much known today. Such as Whistle While You Work, I’m Wishing, With a Smile and a Song, Someday My Prince Will Come, If I Only Had a Heart and Pleasant Dreams.

Harry James (1916-1983)

Harry James was an American Musician in Albany, Georgia, United States. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, where he started his successful music career. He is mostly known for being a trumpet-playing bandleader, called Harry James and His Orchestra. The original band members included Eric Troyer (keyboards, vocals), Louis Clark (keyboards, conductor), Kelly Groucutt (bass, vocals), Mik Kaminski (violin, keyboards), Parthenon Huxley (guitar, vocals) and Gordon Townsend (drums, percussion). Their most well-known songs include Two O’clock Jump, You Made Me Love You – Take 2, Sleepy Lagoon, I’ve Heard That Song Before, I Can’t Begin To Tell You, Cherry and Sleepy Time Gal.

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The U.S. acquires Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands were previously named ”Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes” Christopher Columbus in 1493. The U.S bought the islands off Denmark for $25 million and decided to call them the ”Virgin Islands” for short. Around 50 islands make up the Virgin Islands! Many were uninhibited for a long time, now only 16 are left uninhabited. The main and largest islands include Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to be elected for U.S. congress

Jeannette Rankin was born in Missoula County, Montana, United States and was the first-ever woman to be elected to the U.S congress! She was a well-known women’s rights advocate and American politician. This was a huge step in the right direction for equal rights for women in the United States! Since she was elected, the U.S saw a slow increase in the number of women members in the House of Representatives.

Louis Brandeis appointed to Supreme Court

Louis Dembitz Brandeis was born in Louisville, Kentucky in a strict Jewish family. He was not only a successful American lawyer but also an associate on the Supreme court. Brandeis worked hard to defend individual freedom and stood up for his beliefs. It was a huge breakthrough towards equality when he was appointed to the Supreme court in 1916. Due to the fact that he was labelled as a radical reformer and also subjected to anti-Semitism.

Adamson Railway Labor Act

Congress implemented the Adamson Railway Labor Act on September 2nd, 1916. This new law stated that a standard full day of work should consist of 8 hours. This was first created for railway workers but quickly became law for all industries. Also, any hours over these 8 were considered ”overtime” and workers should be paid more for these hours. It was a huge movement in the rights of workers.

Federal Farm Loan Act

The Federal Farm Loan Act became effective on July 17th, 1916. It was created with the purpose of giving more support to small farmers and ranchers. This act was to make it easier for farmers to take out small loans, credit and free enterprise. Woodrow Wilson signed this law with the vision of giving farmers more flexibility and a fair chance in the growing competitiveness in farming.

Germany agreed to limit Submarine warfare

Germany agreed to limit submarine warfare on May the 4th, 1916. Why? the U.S President Woodrow Wilson demanded them to. In fears of getting on the wrong side of the U.S, the German government agreed. This demand took place after the Germans mistakingly attacked a French passenger steamer in the English channel killing 50 people and injuring many. Amongst those on board were many Americans.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration started in 1916 and lasted until the 1970s. It involved the movement of 6 million African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban Northeast, Midwest and West. The South saw a huge 40% decrease in blacks overall population during this migration.

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