U.S. Naval Academy debuts - This Day in History – Oct 10th

Back in 1845, the seven professors at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD welcomed the first 50 midshipmen.  This military institution was also known as the ‘Naval School,’ until 1850 until it’s name was changed to the U.S. Naval Academy. 

The curriculum for these midshipmen included:

• Navigation
• Gunnery
• Steam chemistry
• Mathematics
• English
• Natural philosophy
• French

The shipmen spent four years studying at this academy and were required to train aboard ships during the summer.  This policy is the same requirement for today’s enrolled midshipmen.

Actor, Christopher Reeve dead at age 52 

Christopher Reed, the actor who gained star status due to playing the role of Superman died on this day due to heart failure back in 2004.  Mr. Reeves who sought spinal cord research was paralyzed from the neck down due to a horse-riding accident back in 1995.  Born in NYC in 1952, Mr. Reeves was a graduate of Cornell and Julliard.  He would perform on Broadway and later feature films for his signature role of Superman back in 1978. 

Mr. Reeves would later direct two movies.

According to history.com, “In 1997, he made his directorial debut with HBO’s In the Gloaming, which was nominated for five Emmy Awards, and in 1999, he starred in a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Rear Window. In 2004, Reeve directed A&E’s The Brooke Ellison Story, a movie based on a true story about the first quadriplegic to graduate from Harvard University.”

Vice President Agnew resigns in disgrace

Back in 1973, Spiro Agnew became the first Vice President who resigned due to pleading no contest for federal income tax evasion.  Mr. Agnew’s admission of this crime was in exchange for charges being dropped against him for political corruption. Mr. Agnew was disbarred fro the Maryland Court, received three years probation and fined $10,000.

Interestingly enough, President Richard M. Nixon would resign within one year after the Watergate scandal.

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/superman-christopher-reeve-dies-at-age-52?catId=12