Historic Footnotes Archives

The Unsung Hero of the Apollo 13 Mission: Women in Engineering

February 23, 2024March 7, 2023 by Angela DiLoreto

Historic Footnotes Podcast - Obscure and often forgotten pieces of history

Meet the unsung hero of the Apollo 13 mission whose work helped save the lives of the astronauts. You may not have heard of Judith Love Cohen, but she was a dancer with the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company, a children’s book author, and a brilliant engineer who worked on the Abort Guidance System that played a crucial role in the Apollo program. When disaster struck during the Apollo 13 mission, Cohen’s invention came to the rescue and allowed the astronauts to return safely to Earth.

Forgotten Heroes of WWII: Delivering Hope to WWII Soldiers through 17 Million Letters

February 23, 2024February 28, 2023 by Angela DiLoreto

Picture this: it’s 1945 and soldiers on the frontlines eagerly await a letter from their loved ones back home. But their letters are undelivered, stuck in a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail. Enter Major Charity Adams, a trailblazing African-American woman who led the all-black, all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion to clear that massive backlog and boost the morale of soldiers fighting for our country.

Robert Smalls: Born Enslaved, Trained as a Sailor, Elected Congressman

February 15, 2024February 23, 2023 by Vince DiLoreto

Born into slavery, Robert Smalls’ determination and bravery led him to become a hero of the Civil War. Working as a pilot on a Confederate military cargo ship, he saw an opportunity to escape slavery and bring his family to freedom. Robert and his crew seized control of the ship and navigated past Confederate gun range and into Union territory. It was then that he approached Union soldiers, and said, “Good morning Sir. I’ve brought you some of the United States old guns, Sir!”

A Future President, a Future Senator, and a Duel that Echoes through History

February 13, 2024February 19, 2023 by Vince DiLoreto

If I told you two politicians were so infuriated with one another that one would challenge the other to a duel, you would be forgiven for thinking it is a recent news story. Or, if you realized that no one has publicly challenged anyone to a duel for over 200 years, you might be thinking of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. In either case, you’d be mistaken. I’m talking about President Abraham Lincoln and Senator James Shields. Of course, this was before either were elected to those offices.

The Christmas Truce

February 23, 2024December 22, 2022 by Vince DiLoreto

A Christmas Miracle? Maybe. It was the unexpected temporary truce between England and Germany during World War I.

Driving Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway

February 23, 2024October 10, 2022 by Angela DiLoreto

Nevada's Extraterrestrial Highway Sign with stickers

On a dark dusty highway, well actually a state route, possibly the most eclectic road trip waits for you. Nevada’s state route 375, more commonly known by its nickname, the Extraterrestrial Highway is 98 miles of oddities and curiosities. Ready for an out-of-this-world adventure?