Endings and beginnings

Wed., June 28, 2006

The History Channel King Features Syndicate

•On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theater, where most of Shakespeare’s plays debuted, burned down. The Globe was a round wooden structure with a stage at one end, and covered balconies for the gentry. The galleries could seat about 1,000 people, with room for another 2,000 “groundlings,” who could stand on the ground around the stage.

•On June 27, 1829, English scientist James Smithson dies, leaving behind a will that decrees that his estate, a fortune worth well over $500,000, would go to the United States to found an institution for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Smithson, benefactor of the Smithsonian Institute, had never been to the United States.

•On June 30, 1900, four German boats burn at the docks in Hoboken, N.J., killing more than 300 people and catching fire to 27 boats. So many people were missing that crews set off dynamite in hopes that the explosions might help bodies float to the surface.

•On June 28, 1928, Louis Armstrong records “West End Blues,” one of the most famous recordings in early jazz. The song, showcasing Armstrong’s trumpet improvisations, influenced many later jazz musicians.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.