Ethel's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Birnie family tree.

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Ethel's Family

Birnie William Francis Birnie

Ann Collier Birnie

Ethel Louisa Birnie

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Birnie William Francis Birnie

Unknown - Unknown ? - ?

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Ann Collier Birnie

Unknown - Unknown ? - ?

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

In 1869, in the year that Ethel Louisa Birnie was born, on February 5th, prospectors in Victoria, Australia, discovered the biggest loose gold nugget ever found. Known as the "Welcome Stranger", it was discovered only 1.2 inches below ground and weighed a whopping 214.1 lbs. It would be worth over $4 million today.

In 1904, Ethel was 35 years old when the Russo-Japanese war began. The Russian Empire and the Japanese Empire began fighting over the territories of Manchuria and Korea. Russia wanted a warm water port on the Pacific Ocean while Japan feared growing encroachment from Russia into Asia. So the Japan fleet launched a surprise attack on the Russian Navy and a one year war began. President Roosevelt of the United States brokered peace between the two nations. It was the first time in the modern era that an Asian power showed its dominance over a European power.

In 1919, by the time she was 50 years old, in January, Nebraska was the 36th state to ratify the 18th Amendment, making it the law of the land. The 18th Amendment established Prohibition - a law against the production, transport, and sale of alcohol. Private consumption and possession were not prohibited. Several months later, the Volstead Act was passed, creating laws to enforce the Amendment. Bootlegging and bathtub gin followed.

In 1925, by the time she was 56 years old, on November 28th, radio station WSM broadcast the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Originally airing as “The WSM Barn Dance”, the Opry (a local term for "opera") was dedicated to honoring country music and in its history has featured the biggest stars and acts in country music.

In 1949, in the year of Ethel Louisa Birnie's passing, on January 25th, the first Emmy Awards (for television) were handed out in Los Angeles. Shirley Dinsdale won for the Most Outstanding Television Personality and Pantomime Quiz Time earned an Emmy for the Most Popular Television Program.