Meme Scholar with Madness (PhD)

[EndtheMadnessNow]

We survived Eclipse-ageddon so have a gin & tonic.

It's National Gin and Tonic Day. The gin and tonic became popular after the British Army used the concoction to administer quinine and combat malaria. The Royal Navy created their own tonic to prevent scurvy by adding lime and lemon to gin.




April 9, 1941: USS North Carolina (BB-55) became the first new American battleship to be commissioned in 18 years. The North Carolina went on to take part in several battles including Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. "Showboat" is now a museum in Wilmington, North Carolina.


Hundreds more at Battleship Photo Archive.


April 9, 1959: NASA's first seven astronauts, the Mercury Seven were announced: From left to right they are M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Walter M. “Wally” Schirra, Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Donald K. “Deke” Slayton.




April 9, 1960: the first ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN 598), showing off in Long Island Sound about 3 months before the first submerged SLBM launch.




Here's a short 1960 film from British Pathé: Submarine 'George Washington' test fires two Polaris missiles off Florida.

And a film showing her being loaded with 16 Polaris nuclear missiles.


Today is National Unicorn Day. HMS Unicorn (I72) became the only aircraft carrier to conduct a shore bombardment when she used her four twin mount QF 4-inch Mk XVI dual purpose guns to shell North Korean coastwatchers at Chopekki Point in 1951. She was scrapped on June 15, 1959.


Eleven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Unicorn, after the mythological creature.


It's National Winston Churchill Day to commemorate when the British Prime Minister became an honorary U.S. citizen. USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) flies the Royal Navy White Ensign on special occasions and always has a Royal Navy officer as a member of the ship's company. Nothing like having a legit inside man.

Shield: The cross of St. George and the fleur-de-lis are adapted from Churchill's augmentation on an inescutcheon on his ancestral coat of arms. Red is emblematic of valor and sacrifice. The red cross on the white field refers to the flag of St. George, who became the patron of the Order of the Garter in 1348. The gold lion on the red field recalls Great Britain's heritage. The lion embodies strength, courage and determination. The nebuly alludes to the sky or clouds and highlights Britain's taking of the full thrust of German airpower in the Battle of Britain. The stylized book underscores Winston Churchill's reputation, not only as a gifted statesman and inspiring war leader, but also a great orator and author who was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. He unified the British people with his stirring oratory, energy and resolve.

Crest: The trident symbolizes sea prowess and highlights USS Winston S. Churchill's vertical launch capabilities; the three tines represent anti-submarine, surface, and air warfare capabilities. The trident is divided per chevron suggesting a "V" emphasizing victory in war (Winston Churchill's famous rallying sign) and defense strength in peace. The laurel recalls honor and high achievement; while the oak represents strength and resolve.

Symbolism:

Shield: Per fess enhanced nebuly Argent and Gules, a cross of the like surmounted by a fleur-de-lis Azure, in base a book expanded Or, leaved of the first below a lion passant guardant of the fourth.

Crest: From a wreath Argent and Gules a trident head per chevron Azure and of the first superimposed by a wreath of laurel and oak.

Supporters: In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II made Churchill a Member of The Most Noble Order of the Garter, the premier British Order of chivalry and the highest honor she could bestow.

Ship's Crest

Medal of Honor - Col. Ralph Puckett Jr.





Manta Ray High-Endurance Underwater Drone Unveiled


German tech...


Willy A. Fiedler, a German-born aerospace expert who was active in Nazi Germany's V-1 ramjet-powered missile program and helped design American submarine-launched missiles like the Polaris after the war, died on Jan. 17 [1998] at his home in Los Altos Hills, Calif. He was 89.


On the same day as the eclipse, the guy known for predicting the existence of a new particle in 1964 — the Higgs boson — passed away.


The University of Edinburgh