250 years ago today, the Great Barrier Reef was discovered by British cartographer Captain James Cook off the Australian coast. Cook’s scientific voyage as captain of the HMS Endeavour resulted in splendid detailed maps of the coastland of New Zealand and eastern Australia, which were used by modern sailors until the 1950s. Among the 94 men on board were artists (the photo journalists of their day) and botanists who brought back flora and fauna from the land down under and increased the tally of plant species known to Western science by 10%.

Protected as a World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure in the world made of living organisms. Cook ran aground at a location near Queensland, which is now known as Endeavour Reef—named for the ship. Beached for an entire day the crew ended up tossing 50 tons into the sea so the ship could float higher, and when the tide rose a bit, she was freed to return to the open ocean.

In 1969 an underwater search discovered the six abandoned cannons, ballast, and an anchor which had been discarded. The six original cannons are on display at Botany Bay, Cooktown, Canberra, Philadelphia, Wellington, NZ, and London. WATCH a short video… (1770)

The three-year voyage is remembered as one of history’s greatest journeys of discovery. Cook named new features, but always used the native names of the islands and coastlines on European maps for the first time—all crafted using his superior surveying and cartographic skills.

MORE Good News on this Day:

• Buenos Aires was founded by Juan de Garay (1580)
• The United States agreed to send Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union (1942)
• Golfer Charlie Sifford became the first African-American to play in a US Open championship (1959)
• U.S. President John F. Kennedy proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that would eventually legislate equal access to public facilities, end segregation in education, and guarantee federal voting rights for African-Americans (1963)
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial premiered in theaters at number one to universal acclaim and stayed at the top of the box office for six weeks, surpassing Star Wars as the highest-grossing film of all-time (1982)
• Antonio Meucci was recognized as the first inventor of the telephone by the United States Congress (2002)
• G8 finance ministers canceled the debt owed by 18 of the poorest countries (2005)
• Canada made an official apology to the Canadian Aboriginal Nations regarding the residential school program that isolated children from their homes, families and cultures for a century, with the intention of forcing assimilation into European-Canadian society (2008)
• A Texas mother was struck by lightning while standing in her kitchen near a light fixture but survived after three days in hospital (2009)

And, on this day in 1742, Benjamin Franklin invented his Franklin circulating stove. Incorporating new concepts about heat from French scientists, Franklin’s stove was designed to deliver more heat into the room with less smoke. The U.S. founding father never patented any of his designs and inventions, believing that “as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously”.

Also, today is the anniversary of the birth of actor Gene Wilder.

Born Jerry Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1933, he was just 11 when he fell in love with acting. After joining the Actors Studio and choosing a stage name, he performed in Shakespeare productions before being nominated for an Oscar for his first major film role in The Producers. He is beloved for his portrayal of Willy Wonka and also appeared in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Tired of the business surrounding filmmaking, and seeing mostly scripts with “shooting, swearing and 3-D”, Wilder became an author in later life writing novels and short stories. He died in 2016.

And on this day in 1986, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” hit the big screen.

The hit comedy directed by John Hughes tells the epic tale of teenagers skipping school. Starring Matthew Broderick as the mischievous Ferris, the story follows him, his girlfriend, and best friend Cameron, as they play hooky, evade the school’s principal, steal Cameron’s father’s Ferrari, and cavort around downtown Chicago. On the 30th anniversary the city held a “Ferris Fest” to celebrate the film’s debut.

And, on this day in 1969, Peter Dinklage was born in Morristown, New Jersey. Best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones, which earned him three Emmys, Dinklage has just accepted his first major film role since that 8-season run. He reportedly will star opposite Rosamund Pike in the thriller I Care a Lot. After his breakout role in The Station Agent, he appeared in Elf and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which earned him his first SAG Award—as well as X-Men and Avengers movies. WATCH him discuss the final shows, and how much Tyrion has meant to him…. See more his movies and merch on Amazon…

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