Emma Mclaughlin (1841 - 1911)

Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Emma's lifetime.

In 1841, in the year that Emma Mclaughlin was born, on February 4th, James Morris wrote about Groundhog Day in his diary - the first known reference to the day in North America. He wrote: "Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

In 1853, Emma was merely 12 years old when in May, Levi Strauss & Co. was founded in San Francisco. In the 1870's, the company began manufacturing denim overalls and their first pair of Levis 501 jeans were introduced in the 1890s.

In 1862, Emma was 21 years old when British citizen Anna Leonowens, a widow, accepted a job in Siam (now Thailand) to teach the children and wives of the King of Siam - he had 39 wives and concubines and 82 children. Taking her son with her and sending her daughter to England for schooling, she taught in Siam for 6 years - until the King died.

In 1874, when she was 33 years old, 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 1911, in the year of Emma Mclaughlin's passing, the first Indianapolis 500 was run in May. Ray Harroun was the winner - he was an engineer and had retired from racing but he came back for this race. After the race, he retired for good. The purse was $27,550 - the largest offered up to that time - and Harroun received $10,000 for first place. His average time was 74.602 mph.