The formation of the PGA in 1916 marked a pivotal moment in the history of golf, transforming the sport into a professional and widely respected organization. At the heart of its creation was department store owner Rodman Wanamaker, who recognized the growing popularity of golf in the United States and saw an opportunity to elevate the status of professional golfers. Wanamaker hosted a luncheon on January 17, 1916, at the Taplow Club in New York, inviting prominent golf professionals such as the legendary Walter Hagen and Alexander Findlay to discuss the future of golf in America. This meeting set the foundation for what would become the PGA of America.

The initial goals of the PGA were multifaceted. The association aimed to establish standards for professional conduct, enhance the training of golf professionals, and promote the game across the country. Additionally, the organization sought to create a championship that would showcase the skill and professionalism of its members. In October 1916, the first PGA Championship was held at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York, with a total purse of $2,580, which is around $70,000 in todays money. Jim Barnes was the first champion, solidifying the event as a cornerstone of professional golf.

The PGA's formation boosted the growth and recognition of golf as a professional sport in the United States. By providing a voice for golf professionals, the organization played a crucial role in advancing their careers and securing respect within the broader sports community. Over the years, the PGA expanded its influence, fostering the development of new courses, tournaments, and educational programs. Today, the PGA of America is one of the strongest organizations in the golfing world.

The 2007 Doomsday Clock reset marked a pivotal moment in global awareness of threats facing humanity. The Doomsday Clock is maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to catastrophic destruction, with midnight symbolizing doomsday. On January 17, 2007, the clock's hands were moved forward from 7 minutes to midnight to 5 minutes to midnight, reflecting a growing sense of urgency over nuclear destruction and the accelerating impacts of climate change. This adjustment was one of the most significant in decades, as it highlighted not just geopolitical tensions but also the realization that the degradation of the environment could have catastrophic consequences.

The decision to reset the clock came from a combination of events. The Bulletin claimed the nuclear weapons programs in North Korea and Iran as major factors contributing to global instability. North Korea had conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, while Iran was making strides in its uranium enrichment program, raising fears of a new arms race in the Middle East. Additionally, the disarmament progress made in the post-Cold War era was coming to an end, with major powers like the United States and Russia failing to make meaningful reductions in their nuclear arsenals. Simultaneously, climate change emerged as a critical issue, with escalating greenhouse gas emissions and insufficient global efforts to mitigate their effects. This was the first time the Bulletin explicitly cited climate change as a factor in moving the clock, underscoring its growing importance as a global threat.

The reset of the Doomsday Clock in 2007 served as a stark wake-up call for humanity. The Bulletin’s statement after the reset called for global cooperation to fix these challenges, urging nations to strengthen treaties on nuclear missiles and adopt measures to combat climate change. The event sparked widespread media coverage and public discourse, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent nuclear conflict and environmental collapse.

Jewish Avengers🦸‍♂️
The Jewish Avengers, or Nakam, were Holocaust survivors led by Abba Kovner. They sought vengeance against Nazis through covert operations, including poisoning bread at a POW camp, injuring hundreds.

Cleopatras Brother 💍
Cleopatra's actually married her brother, Ptolemy XIII, who co-ruled Egypt with her. He eventually became her rival and their conflict escalated into a civil war, ultimately leading to his defeat and death in 47 BCE during the Alexandrian War.

Presidential Overdose🍒
President Zachary Taylor is said to have died in 1850 after consuming to many cherries and iced milk, causing an odd chemical reaction in his stomach and giving him acute gastroenteritis!

Olympic Tug-of-War🏺
Tug of war was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920. Teams of eight competed to pull the opposing team six feet. It was discontinued after 1920 but is remembered as one of the weirdest sports to enter the Olympics.