JULY 19 - Today in Food History• National Daiquiri Day - The Daiquiri cocktail, made of rum, lime juice and sugar, takes its name from the village and iron mines of Daiquiri near Santiago, Cuba, where the cocktail originated around 1900. It was named either by American engineers working there, or by the U.S. troops who arrived there in 1898. (Although at least one source claims it did not appear until after World War I) • St. Vincent De Paul, patron saint of horses.
On this day in:1104 Flitch Day. A married couple who can prove to a mock court with a jury of bachelors and maidens, that they have 'not wished themselves unwed,' are awarded a 'flitch' of bacon (half a pig). The origins of this custom are in Dunmow, Essex, England, details are not certain, but references to it go back to 1104. It has been a regular civic event in Dunmow since 1855. Now held every 4 years, and frequently televised.
(Bacon Trivia & Facts)
1863 Curtis Fletcher Marbut was born. An American geologist and one of the founders of modern soil science. He was with the U.S. Bureau of Soils for 25 years. 1870 William W. Lyman of Meriden, Connecticut, received a patent for a Can Opener with a rotating cutter that pivoted around a hole punched in the center of the can. (Can Trivia and Facts)
1894 Percy Le Baron Spencer was born (died Sept 8, 1970). Spencer developed the microwave oven in 1945/46, after he noticed that some chocolate in his pocket had melted after being accidentally exposed to radiation from a magnetron tube he was working on at the time. 1921 The official start of prohibition of the manufacture, importation and sale of liquor in Ontario, Canada.
1947 Bernie Leadon of the music group 'Flying Burrito Brothers' was born 1996 Mervyn Hugh Cowie died. Cowie was a British wildlife conservationist, founder and director of Kenya's Royal National Parks.
2006 A new record high July temperature in the U.K. was recorded in Wisley, Surrey where temperatures hit 97.7°F (36.3°C).
2007 The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 14,000 for first time in history, at 14,000.41.
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