This day in history - September 14

[seamusTX]

1814 - Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry.

1899 - One Henry Bliss of New York City died after being struck by a motor vehicle the previous day. He was the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the United States.

1938 - The Graf Zeppelin II, the largest such airship ever built, made its maiden voyage. It never flew commercially, as WW II erupted soon after.

These slow, luxurious airships became a footnote to history, as airplane technology advanced during the war and took over civilian travel afterward. We can imagine a different course of history, where trains and dirigibles were the dominant modes of travel, and you didn't have to cram yourself onto a plane next to rude people with B.O.

1940 - Congress authorized a peacetime draft for the first time.

1948 - Construction of the United Nations headquarters began in New York City.

- Jim