Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Williams (born 1839)

In 1839, in the year that Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Williams was born, the "Night of the Big Wind" hit Ireland on January 6th. It was the most damaging cyclone to hit Ireland in 300 years. In North Dublin, around 20% to 25% of homes were damaged or destroyed, and 42 ships were wrecked. Winds hit over 115 miles per hour.

In 1874, on November 4th, the Democratic Party regained control of the US House of Representatives - the first time since 1860. The Democrats now held 183 seats - up 94 - and the Republicans held 106 - down 93.

In 1907, in October, over a 3 week period, the New York stock exchange fell almost 50% from the previous year's high mark. Public panic ensued and there were runs on banks since the U.S. was in the middle of a recession. J.P. Morgan offered his own fortune to back the banks and he was followed by other financiers. This temporarily shored up the banking system, stopping the immediate panic. All of this led to the creation of the Federal Reserve.

In 1928, aviatrix Amelia Earhart, age 31, became the first woman to fly solo across North America and back in August. In June, she had been part of a 3 man crew that flew the Atlantic Ocean but since she had no instrument training, she couldn't fly the plane - she kept the flight log. The North American flight became one of her many "firsts" as a female pilot.

In 1957, on September 24th, the "Little Rock Nine" (nine African-American students) entered Little Rock High School. Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus had previously prevented the students from entering the school at the beginning of the term with the Arkansas National Guard - they blocked the door. President Eisenhower ordered federal troops - the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army - to guard the students and allow them entry.