On This Day: August 15

Tornado Talk Summary

Dixon-Joliet, IL F2 Tornado – Aug 15, 1958! SPC officially has this as one tornado with path of 74.5 miles. Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes states this was a tornado family. Heaviest damage at Sandwich, many trees damaged/destroyed, extensive damage at fairgrounds. Read the full summary here

SIGTOR Spotlight

Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!

August 15, 1818: “The ‘Potomac Gale’ caused the death of as many as thirty people when several boats were overturned. This storm may have been a tornado or related to a tornado. The event crossed the Potomac River a few miles S of Quantico, Virginia.”

Twister From The 2000s

On this day in 2016, an EF2 tornado hit near Whitestown, IN. Extensive damage occurred to trees and a barn. Source. 

Destroyed barn via NWS Indianapolis.

Weather Rewind

Tornado and Other Weather Events From On This Day

On this day in 1787, the first known tornado outbreak in America occurred. it is known as the “Four State Tornado Swarm” and occurred in New England. Grazulis documents 5 tornadoes, and it is possible that more occurred. Source

Map of the towns that reported damage from the "swarm." Not all of this damage was tornadic. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Pieces of the Past

A Look Back Through The Ages!  On This Day In History! 

Sources:  onthisday.com, thisdayinmusic.com & Britannica

Historical Event

On this day in 1620: Mayflower sets sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims. Check out more historical events at onthisday.com

Famous Birthday

Melinda Gates was born August 15, 1964, Dallas, Texas. She is a businesswoman and philanthropist who—with her then husband, Microsoft Corporation cofounder Bill Gates—founded the charitable Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Source:  Britannica

Film & TV

On this day in 1939: “The Wizard of Oz”, American musical fantasy film directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor, premieres at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, starring Judy Garland (Dorothy), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion), Frank Morgan (Wizard), Billie Burke (Glinda), and Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch). Get more daily history at onthisday.com

Music Trivia

On this day in 1976: ABBA released ‘Dancing Queen’ as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Arrival. Dancing Queen’ (which had the working title of ‘Boogaloo’) went on to top the charts in more than a dozen countries including the United States where it became ABBA’s only No.1. Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com

Photo of the Day

On this day in 1998: Apple introduces the iMac computer. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

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