The mirror., 1919-07-31
The Month of August


August was named for the Roman Emperor
Augustus. In the days of the Roman Republic the
year began with March. and August was the sixth
month. and was then called Sexts. But after Ju-
Illus Caesar made his reforms in the calendar it BEL
came the eighth month. Emperor julius had named
a month after himself. and when Augustus came to
the throne, he wished like honor and named his
luckiest month after himself. Then. as August had
but 80 days. and he desired 1t to have as many as
July. day was taken from February, which was al
ready the shortest of the months. and given to Aug
ust.
The great European war, which has involved
nearly every nation the world, began August l..
1914
On August 2. Germany demanded that Belgium
grant her permission pass through the eeuntry for
strategic reasons, in her campaign against France.
Belgium, thus confronted with the choice of granting
the demand or protecting it's Independence and neu-
trality. chose the latter
Under the guidance of her ruler, King Albert,
this little country about one-fourth the size of the
state of Pennsylvania, unprepared with handful
of men pitted against Germanys trained armies. has
had pay heavily for that decision. for it has be-
come the battle-ground of Europe
Its works of art have been destroyed, its cities
burned. it's farms devastated, and it's people killed,
manned put into slavery.
During August of 1918 Germany was travelling
swiftly toward the goal where she would be made to
pay, and dearly, for her work of destruction in Bel
gium and France. Victory perched the arms of
the Allies at every point; from the time the Amer-
cans cleared the Bos de Meuniere of the enemy on
August l. until the Franco American forces the
big battle north of Scissors on August 81 did the
Germans have one moments respite from defeat on
defeat Under the fierce assaults of the Allies their
lines gave way everywhere and already, during this
month, it became apparent that the end not far
off, 1t only question with the Allies of being
able keep up the steady pressure they had elected
maintain which, if continued. would bring
Germany to her knees
The First Steamboat
On August IL. 1907, the first steamboat. the
"Clearmont," made trial trip the Hudson river,
covering the distance from New York to Albany, in
thiry-six hours, journey which had formerley re-
quired from seven to ten days. 1t travelled at the
rate of FIVE miles hour.
Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat,
had invented various machines, flax spinners rope
twisters and canal looks and had been continually
turned his attention the subject of steam navga-
tion in American commerce. which was then consid-
cred practically impossible. He had made many
failures, but he must have taken for his motto the
old saw. If at first you don't succeed, try, try
again." for he persisted-and succeeded.
There now no details of the construction and
of the first steamboat extant, but Fulton left
written description of the trial trip, which is often
quoted. The boat probably propelled by a
beam engine with the paddle wheels unincosed. and
may have been equipped with sails.
To this same inventor belongs the honor of con-
structing in 1874. the first steam war vessel ever
built by the United States.
Like many inventors, he failed to protect his
creations properly, and like many of these patient
workers, he died without reaping the benefits of his
toll, and without knowing how wonderful his inven-
tons we're.
Chronology of Hi.torcal Events for August
August T. IVA, accession of the House of Han
over to the throne Of Great Britain.
August A. 1857, the first Atlantic cable message
sent, but Immediately after the cable parted in
mid-ocean and telegraphc communication the
ocean was complete success until 1867 when
a new cable was laid.
August 9, 1902, Edward VII was crowned
king of Great Britain.
August 13, 1898, Manila surrendered to the
= Americans.
August Is, 1777, battle of Bennington, Ver-
mont.
August 21, 1918, Tornado destroyed Tyler and
Connors Mnn., killing about 5Qpeople.
August o. 1872. the terrible St. Bartholomew
massacre occurred in France
August 81 1886, Charleston. So. Carolina
earthquake