Ronie Bean (1876 - 1977)

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

In 1876, in the year that Ronie Bean was born, on November 2nd, a giant squid - a little over 20 feet long - washed up on a beach at Thimble Tickle Bay in Newfoundland. It's still a rare occurrence since giant squid live in deep sea at 1000 to 3000 foot depth.

In 1917, at the age of 41 years old, Ronie was alive when Dutch exotic dancer Mata Hari was convicted and executed as a German spy. Since Mata Hari, born Margaretha Geertruida "Margreet" MacLeod, was a citizen of the Netherlands (which remained neutral in World War 1), she could travel freely in Europe. Her travels (and her romantic entanglements) raised suspicion and she was arrested by the French and found guilty. There is still controversy about her guilt although her name has become synonymous with a seductive female spy.

In 1935, at the age of 59 years old, Ronie was alive when the BOI's name (the Bureau of Investigation) was changed to the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and it officially became a separate agency with the Department of Justice. J. Edgar Hoover, the Chief of the BOI, continued in his office and became the first Director of the FBI. The FBI's responsibility is to "detect and prosecute crimes against the United States".

In 1946, by the time this person was 70 years old, pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock's book "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" was published. It sold half a million copies in the first six months. Aside from the Bible, it became the best selling book of the 20th century. A generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the advice of Dr. Spock.

In 1977, in the year of Ronie Bean's passing, on January 20th, Jimmy Carter became the 39th President of the United States. Running against incumbent Gerald Ford, he won 50.1% of the popular vote to Ford's 48.0%. He was elected to only one term.