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#11
The Tailgate / Today in history 1-28
Last post by remrogers - January 28, 2026, 09:45:56 AM1901
Jan 28
American League is founded
On January 28, 1901, professional baseball's American League is founded in Milwaukee, reconstituting itself from a minor-league entity to a major-league one. The league plans for a 140-game schedule, 14-man rosters and a players' union. Franchises are in Baltimore (Orioles), Boston (Americans), Chicago (White Stockings), Cleveland (Blues), Detroit (Tigers), Milwaukee (Brewers), Philadelphia (Athletics) and Washington (Senators).
The American League's formation came shortly after professional baseball's other major league, the National League, contracted from 12 to eight teams. Formed in 1876, the NL had been professional baseball's most stable league for decades.
Other leagues, such as the American Association (established in 1881), the Union Association (1884) and the Players League (1890), struggled to compete with the NL.
The American League's attempt to disrupt the National League's monopoly on baseball was led by its commissioner, Bancroft Johnson. He renamed the Western League, a minor league, the American League in 1899. Johnson also withdrew from the National Agreement—a pact governing relations between the baseball leagues at the time—and, in 1901, declared the American League to be a major league.
The move was resisted by the National League, which wanted to maintain its monopoly on Major League Baseball.
"The National League is forcing this war on us," Johnson told the . "All we ask is a chance for good, healthy rivalry and competition, but if the National League insists on fighting, we shall be able to take care of ourselves."
Eventually, the National League realized it needed to co-exist with the American League. In 1903, the leagues agreed each was a major league and that their champion would meet annually in the World Series.
Jan 28
American League is founded
On January 28, 1901, professional baseball's American League is founded in Milwaukee, reconstituting itself from a minor-league entity to a major-league one. The league plans for a 140-game schedule, 14-man rosters and a players' union. Franchises are in Baltimore (Orioles), Boston (Americans), Chicago (White Stockings), Cleveland (Blues), Detroit (Tigers), Milwaukee (Brewers), Philadelphia (Athletics) and Washington (Senators).
The American League's formation came shortly after professional baseball's other major league, the National League, contracted from 12 to eight teams. Formed in 1876, the NL had been professional baseball's most stable league for decades.
Other leagues, such as the American Association (established in 1881), the Union Association (1884) and the Players League (1890), struggled to compete with the NL.
The American League's attempt to disrupt the National League's monopoly on baseball was led by its commissioner, Bancroft Johnson. He renamed the Western League, a minor league, the American League in 1899. Johnson also withdrew from the National Agreement—a pact governing relations between the baseball leagues at the time—and, in 1901, declared the American League to be a major league.
The move was resisted by the National League, which wanted to maintain its monopoly on Major League Baseball.
"The National League is forcing this war on us," Johnson told the . "All we ask is a chance for good, healthy rivalry and competition, but if the National League insists on fighting, we shall be able to take care of ourselves."
Eventually, the National League realized it needed to co-exist with the American League. In 1903, the leagues agreed each was a major league and that their champion would meet annually in the World Series.
#12
The Tailgate / Today in history 1-27
Last post by remrogers - January 27, 2026, 11:28:06 AM1945
Jan 27
Auschwitz is liberated
On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops enter Auschwitz, Poland, freeing the survivors of the network of concentration camps—and finally revealing to the world the depth of the horrors perpetrated there.
Auschwitz was really a group of camps, designated I, II, and III. There were also 40 smaller "satellite" camps. It was at Auschwitz II, at Birkenau, established in October 1941, that the SS created a complex, monstrously orchestrated killing ground: 300 prison barracks; four "bathhouses" in which prisoners were gassed; corpse cellars; and cremating ovens. Thousands of prisoners were also used for medical experiments overseen and performed by the camp doctor, Josef Mengele, the "Angel of Death."
The Red Army had been advancing deeper into Poland since mid-January. Having liberated Warsaw and Krakow, Soviet troops headed for Auschwitz. In anticipation of the Soviet arrival, SS officers began a murder spree in the camps, shooting sick prisoners and blowing up crematoria in a desperate attempt to destroy the evidence of their crimes. When the Red Army finally broke through, Soviet soldiers encountered 648 corpses and more than 7,000 starving camp survivors. There were also six storehouses filled with hundreds of thousands of women's dresses, men's suits and shoes that the Germans did not have time to burn.
Jan 27
Auschwitz is liberated
On January 27, 1945, Soviet troops enter Auschwitz, Poland, freeing the survivors of the network of concentration camps—and finally revealing to the world the depth of the horrors perpetrated there.
Auschwitz was really a group of camps, designated I, II, and III. There were also 40 smaller "satellite" camps. It was at Auschwitz II, at Birkenau, established in October 1941, that the SS created a complex, monstrously orchestrated killing ground: 300 prison barracks; four "bathhouses" in which prisoners were gassed; corpse cellars; and cremating ovens. Thousands of prisoners were also used for medical experiments overseen and performed by the camp doctor, Josef Mengele, the "Angel of Death."
The Red Army had been advancing deeper into Poland since mid-January. Having liberated Warsaw and Krakow, Soviet troops headed for Auschwitz. In anticipation of the Soviet arrival, SS officers began a murder spree in the camps, shooting sick prisoners and blowing up crematoria in a desperate attempt to destroy the evidence of their crimes. When the Red Army finally broke through, Soviet soldiers encountered 648 corpses and more than 7,000 starving camp survivors. There were also six storehouses filled with hundreds of thousands of women's dresses, men's suits and shoes that the Germans did not have time to burn.
#13
The Tailgate / Today in history 1-26
Last post by remrogers - January 26, 2026, 01:56:11 PM1788
Jan 26
British settlement begins in Australia
On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia. After overcoming a period of hardship, the fledgling colony began to celebrate the anniversary of this date with great fanfare and it eventually became commemorated as Australia Day. In recent times, Australia Day has become increasingly controversial as it marks the start of when the continent's Indigenous people were gradually dispossessed of their land as white colonization spread across the continent.
Australia, once known as New South Wales, was originally planned as a penal colony. In October 1786, the British government appointed Arthur Phillip captain of the HMS Sirius, and commissioned him to establish an agricultural work camp there for British convicts. With little idea of what he could expect from the mysterious and distant land, Phillip had great difficulty assembling the fleet that was to make the journey. His requests for more experienced farmers to assist the penal colony were repeatedly denied, and he was both poorly funded and outfitted. Nonetheless, accompanied by a small contingent of Marines and other officers, Phillip led his 1,000-strong party, of whom more than 700 were convicts, around Africa to the eastern side of Australia. In all, the voyage lasted eight months, claiming the deaths of some 30 men.
The first years of settlement were nearly disastrous. Cursed with poor soil, an unfamiliar climate and workers who were ignorant of farming, Phillip had great difficulty keeping the men alive. The colony was on the verge of outright starvation for several years, and the marines sent to keep order were not up to the task. Phillip, who proved to be a tough but fair-minded leader, persevered by appointing convicts to positions of responsibility and oversight. Floggings and hangings were commonplace, but so was egalitarianism. As Phillip said before leaving England: "In a new country there will be no slavery and hence no slaves."
Though Phillip returned to England in 1792, the colony became prosperous by the turn of the 19th century. Feeling a new sense of patriotism, the men began to rally around January 26 as their founding day. Historian Manning Clarke noted that in 1808 the men observed the "anniversary of the foundation of the colony" with "drinking and merriment."
In 1818, January 26 became an official holiday, marking the 30th anniversary of British settlement in Australia. As Australia became a sovereign nation, it became the national holiday known as Australia Day. Many Aboriginal Australians call it "Invasion Day."
Jan 26
British settlement begins in Australia
On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia. After overcoming a period of hardship, the fledgling colony began to celebrate the anniversary of this date with great fanfare and it eventually became commemorated as Australia Day. In recent times, Australia Day has become increasingly controversial as it marks the start of when the continent's Indigenous people were gradually dispossessed of their land as white colonization spread across the continent.
Australia, once known as New South Wales, was originally planned as a penal colony. In October 1786, the British government appointed Arthur Phillip captain of the HMS Sirius, and commissioned him to establish an agricultural work camp there for British convicts. With little idea of what he could expect from the mysterious and distant land, Phillip had great difficulty assembling the fleet that was to make the journey. His requests for more experienced farmers to assist the penal colony were repeatedly denied, and he was both poorly funded and outfitted. Nonetheless, accompanied by a small contingent of Marines and other officers, Phillip led his 1,000-strong party, of whom more than 700 were convicts, around Africa to the eastern side of Australia. In all, the voyage lasted eight months, claiming the deaths of some 30 men.
The first years of settlement were nearly disastrous. Cursed with poor soil, an unfamiliar climate and workers who were ignorant of farming, Phillip had great difficulty keeping the men alive. The colony was on the verge of outright starvation for several years, and the marines sent to keep order were not up to the task. Phillip, who proved to be a tough but fair-minded leader, persevered by appointing convicts to positions of responsibility and oversight. Floggings and hangings were commonplace, but so was egalitarianism. As Phillip said before leaving England: "In a new country there will be no slavery and hence no slaves."
Though Phillip returned to England in 1792, the colony became prosperous by the turn of the 19th century. Feeling a new sense of patriotism, the men began to rally around January 26 as their founding day. Historian Manning Clarke noted that in 1808 the men observed the "anniversary of the foundation of the colony" with "drinking and merriment."
In 1818, January 26 became an official holiday, marking the 30th anniversary of British settlement in Australia. As Australia became a sovereign nation, it became the national holiday known as Australia Day. Many Aboriginal Australians call it "Invasion Day."
#14
The Tailgate / Today in history 1-25
Last post by remrogers - January 25, 2026, 12:24:46 PM1924
Jan 25
First Winter Olympics
On January 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics take off in style at Chamonix in the French Alps. Spectators were thrilled by the ski jump and bobsled as well as 12 other events involving a total of six sports. The "International Winter Sports Week," as it was known, was a great success, and in 1928 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially designated the Winter Games, staged in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as the second Winter Olympics.
Five years after the birth of the modern Olympics in 1896, the first organized international competition involving winter sports was staged in Sweden. Called the Nordic Games, only Scandinavian countries competed. Like the Olympics, it was staged thereon every four years but always in Sweden. In 1908, figure skating made its way into the Summer Olympics in London, though it was not actually held until October, some three months after the other events were over.
In 1911, the IOC proposed the staging of a separate winter competition for the 1912 Stockholm Games, but Sweden, wanting to protect the popularity of the Nordic Games, declined. Germany planned a Winter Olympics to precede the 1916 Berlin Summer Games, but World War I forced the cancellation of both. At the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, ice hockey joined figure skating as an official Olympic event, and Canada took home the first of many hockey gold medals. Soon after, an agreement was reached with Scandinavians to stage the IOC-sanctioned International Winter Sports Week. It was so popular among the 16 participating nations that, in 1925, the IOC formally created the Winter Olympics, retroactively making Chamonix the first.
In Chamonix, Scandinavians dominated the speed rinks and slopes, and Norway won the unofficial team competition with 17 medals. The United States came in third, winning its only gold medal with Charles Jewtraw's victory in the 500-meter speed-skating event. Canada won another hockey gold, scoring 110 goals and allowing just three goals in five games. Of the nearly 300 athletes, only 13 were women, and they only competed in the figure-skating events. Austrian Helene Engelmann won the pairs competition with Alfred Berger, and Austrian Herma Planck Szabo won the women's singles. The Olympics offered a particular boost to skiing, a sport that would make enormous strides within the next decade. At Chamonix, Norway won all but one of the nine skiing medals.
Jan 25
First Winter Olympics
On January 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympics take off in style at Chamonix in the French Alps. Spectators were thrilled by the ski jump and bobsled as well as 12 other events involving a total of six sports. The "International Winter Sports Week," as it was known, was a great success, and in 1928 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially designated the Winter Games, staged in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as the second Winter Olympics.
Five years after the birth of the modern Olympics in 1896, the first organized international competition involving winter sports was staged in Sweden. Called the Nordic Games, only Scandinavian countries competed. Like the Olympics, it was staged thereon every four years but always in Sweden. In 1908, figure skating made its way into the Summer Olympics in London, though it was not actually held until October, some three months after the other events were over.
In 1911, the IOC proposed the staging of a separate winter competition for the 1912 Stockholm Games, but Sweden, wanting to protect the popularity of the Nordic Games, declined. Germany planned a Winter Olympics to precede the 1916 Berlin Summer Games, but World War I forced the cancellation of both. At the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, ice hockey joined figure skating as an official Olympic event, and Canada took home the first of many hockey gold medals. Soon after, an agreement was reached with Scandinavians to stage the IOC-sanctioned International Winter Sports Week. It was so popular among the 16 participating nations that, in 1925, the IOC formally created the Winter Olympics, retroactively making Chamonix the first.
In Chamonix, Scandinavians dominated the speed rinks and slopes, and Norway won the unofficial team competition with 17 medals. The United States came in third, winning its only gold medal with Charles Jewtraw's victory in the 500-meter speed-skating event. Canada won another hockey gold, scoring 110 goals and allowing just three goals in five games. Of the nearly 300 athletes, only 13 were women, and they only competed in the figure-skating events. Austrian Helene Engelmann won the pairs competition with Alfred Berger, and Austrian Herma Planck Szabo won the women's singles. The Olympics offered a particular boost to skiing, a sport that would make enormous strides within the next decade. At Chamonix, Norway won all but one of the nine skiing medals.
#15
Freshwater / Re: Lakers!
Last post by msmith - January 25, 2026, 07:28:50 AMBeing in a tweener state, I envy the guys in the north and south. With our weather, the lakes freeze but not enough, usually, that you can go on it to fish. Once it freezes, our fishing is done until the thaw.
#16
The Tailgate / Re: Exploding Trees
Last post by msmith - January 25, 2026, 07:25:15 AMSo basically a tree is a big waterline when the sap is running. Just like a water line, they can freeze and burst. I can see that happening in cold climates.
#17
Freshwater / Re: Lakers!
Last post by FinsnFur - January 24, 2026, 04:36:31 PMTurned his Starcraft into a sled 
#18
The Tailgate / Re: Exploding Trees
Last post by FinsnFur - January 24, 2026, 04:34:32 PMnastygunz getting his Google on 
#19
The Tailgate / Re: Exploding Trees
Last post by nastygunz - January 24, 2026, 01:19:08 PMTrees do not literally explode into pieces, but they can produce loud, gunshot-like noises and split open due to extreme, rapid cold, a phenomenon known as "frost cracking". This happens when water inside the wood freezes and expands, or when the outer bark contracts faster than the interior, causing the tree to crack.
Key Details on "Exploding" Trees:
The Cause: Rapidly plunging temperatures cause sap and moisture inside the tree to freeze and expand, while the outer bark tightens, causing the wood to crack, according to KCCI.
The Sound: These cracks can sound like gunshots or loud pops.
The Reality: While the noise is loud, trees do not blow apart; they typically develop deep, vertical, longitudinal cracks in their trunks.
Common Targets: Thin-barked trees, such as maples, cherries, and birch, are more susceptible to this, notes Treehugger.
Healing: In most cases, the tree will survive and heal these cracks over time, although they can leave lasting damage.
This phenomenon is more of a mechanical failure of the wood fibers due to severe temperature changes, not a combustion-based explosion.
Key Details on "Exploding" Trees:
The Cause: Rapidly plunging temperatures cause sap and moisture inside the tree to freeze and expand, while the outer bark tightens, causing the wood to crack, according to KCCI.
The Sound: These cracks can sound like gunshots or loud pops.
The Reality: While the noise is loud, trees do not blow apart; they typically develop deep, vertical, longitudinal cracks in their trunks.
Common Targets: Thin-barked trees, such as maples, cherries, and birch, are more susceptible to this, notes Treehugger.
Healing: In most cases, the tree will survive and heal these cracks over time, although they can leave lasting damage.
This phenomenon is more of a mechanical failure of the wood fibers due to severe temperature changes, not a combustion-based explosion.
#20
The Tailgate / Re: Exploding Trees
Last post by remrogers - January 24, 2026, 11:43:32 AMBelieve it was in the late 70's that western Colorado had spring like weather in January. Lasted about two weeks. Trees started running sap when the temperature dropped to 20 below. Trees froze and split due to the sap expanding in the trees. Lost a lot of their fruit trees and it was said to sound like gunshots going off all night.