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Almanac for Aug. 8, 2026

Today is Saturday, Aug. 8, the 220th day of 2026. There are 145 days left in the year. Today in history: In 2023, a series of wind-driven wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui, destroying the town of Lahaina and killing more than 100 people. Also on this date: In 1814, during the War of 1812, peace talks between the United States and Britain began in Ghent, Belgium. In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for St. Helena to spend the remainder of his days in exile. In 1876, Thomas Edison received a patent for his electric pen — the forerunner of the mimeograph ...

When the school bell rings

The sun creeping up later in the morning and then beginning to drift slowly into darkness earlier in the afternoon signals the coming changes of fall. Soon, the rich green leaves will begin to transform into vibrant colors laced with hues of somber brown. Before long, the majestic birds will ...

Perseids meteor shower

“I want to fly like an eagle to the sea, fly like an eagle, let my spirit carry me,” – Steve Miller When twilight fades and the darkness falls, the movements of heavenly bodies and grandeur of the incredible nighttime skies come into their own. Way beyond midnight, it’s in those ...

The ‘climate crisis’ scaremongers

Just two years ago, the United Nations secretary general announced, “Global warming has ended ... The era of global boiling has arrived!” “(We were) warned about this,” said a “Daily Show” host, “by every scientist for the last 50 years!” His audience applauded. Wow. Every ...

Almanac for Aug. 7, 2026

Today is Friday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2026. There are 146 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an unapproved tightrope walk between the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York, more than 1,300 feet above the ground; the event was chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary “Man on Wire.” Also on this date: In 1789, the U.S. Department of War was established by Congress. In 1942, U.S. and other allied forces landed at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the first major allied offensive in the Pacific ...