On January 31, 1874, Jesse James and his gang carried out a meticulously planned train robbery near Gads Hill, Missouri—a tiny town that would become famous overnight. The gang arrived earlier in the day, casually taking control of the town by rounding up its few residents and locking them inside the local general store. Then, they waited for their target: the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway train. The gang chose a secluded stretch of track, where they could ambush the train without interference. Disguised as railroad workers, they set a small fire on the railroad, forcing the train to come to a stop. As the confused crew stepped out to investigate, Jesse and his men emerged with their rifles. This wasn’t just a robbery; it was a meticulously staged performance, designed to cement Jesse’s reputation as the nation’s most daring outlaw.

The gang forced the engineer and crew at gunpoint to unhook the passenger cars, isolating the express car where the real valuables were stored. They then turned their attention to the express messenger, who wisely chose to cooperate instead of trying to be a hero. Inside, they looted cash, gold, government bonds, and anything else of value, racking up an estimated $12,000 haul (over $300,000 today). But in classic Jesse James style, they added a touch of flair—politely reassuring passengers they wouldn’t harm them, refusing to rob women and children, and supposedly handed a watch back to a poor man who pleaded that it was his only possession. And if that’s not enough, it’s said they didn’t rob the working men; they determined this by looking at the mens hands and checking for calluses. This wasn’t just about money; it was about crafting a reputation.

Before leaving, Jesse James ensured that the story would spread exactly as he wanted it to. The gang left behind a note for the newspapers, declaring themselves as noble robbers fighting against the rich and powerful. The robbery cemented Jesse’s place in outlaw folklore, making him a hero to some and a menace to others. Despite the law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, Jesse James continued his crime spree for nearly a decade more before his ultimate betrayal and assassination in 1882. But that story’s for another Today In History…

On January 31, 1959, a small guy named Ham the Chimp made history by becoming the first hominid to travel to space and make it back alive! Launched aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 rocket, Ham’s journey wasn’t just a stunt—it was an important test to see if humans could survive spaceflight. NASA needed to know if a living creature could endure weightlessness and still function, and Ham was thought to be the perfect astronaut for the job.

Strapped into a small capsule, Ham experienced about six and a half minutes of weightlessness, during which he successfully pulled a lever on command—proving that tasks could be performed in microgravity. But his flight wasn’t without its challenges; a slight malfunction caused the capsule’s altitude to exceed expectations, and an oxygen leak made the ride rougher than planned. But Ham handled it like a champ, landing safely in the Atlantic Ocean, where a recovery crew fished him out. His reward? An apple and a lifetime of VIP treatment at the National Zoo.

Ham’s mission paved the way for human spaceflight, proving that astronauts could survive and operate beyond Earth. Just a few months later, Alan Shepard followed in his footsteps, becoming the first American in space. As for Ham, he retired to a life of comfort, living out his days as a space legend. His flight wasn’t just a milestone in science—it was proof that humans are capable of immense advancement, even if it takes a monkey to do it first. 🚀🐵

Maple Syrup Heist 🍁
Canada takes its maple syrup very seriously—so seriously that when thieves stole 3,000 tons of it in 2011, it sparked a full-blown investigation known as the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist. The stolen syrup was worth about $18 million and was siphoned from a storage facility belonging to Quebec’s maple syrup reserve (yes, Canada has a strategic maple syrup reserve).

Bubblegum Broccoli 🥦
In a truly bizarre attempt to get kids to eat healthier, McDonald’s once created bubblegum-flavored broccoli. Yes, you read that right. Back in 2014, they experimented with this sweet-veggie hybrid, hoping it would trick kids into enjoying their greens. The problem? It totally backfired. Kids were just confused—because, well, broccoli that tastes like bubblegum is deeply unsettling. Unsurprisingly, McDonald’s scrapped the idea, and the world was spared from artificially sweetened vegetables.

Bear Soldier 🐻
During World War II, the Polish Army had one soldier unlike any other—a bear named Wojtek. Adopted by Polish troops in 1942, this Syrian brown bear grew up among soldiers, drinking beer, eating cigarettes (yes, really), and even learning to salute. Wojtek didn’t just boost morale—he earned his rank. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, he carried heavy crates of artillery shells, helping supply Polish gunners under fire. He was officially enlisted as Private Wojtek and even had his own army serial number. After the war, Wojtek retired in Scotland, living out his days as a national hero.

Bubblewrap Wallpaper 🫧
Before it became everyone’s favorite stress-reliever and a way to annoy your mom, Bubble Wrap was actually invented as wallpaper. In 1957, engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes were trying to create a new type of textured wallpaper by sealing two plastic sheets together with air bubbles. The idea? A futuristic, cushioned wall covering. Spoiler alert: no one wanted it. But instead of giving up, they pivoted—realizing their invention was perfect for protecting fragile items. By 1960, Bubble Wrap was reborn as packaging material, and the rest is history.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️