Today in History: August 18, 19th Amendment gives women the vote
On Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing American women's right to vote, was ratified as Tennessee became the 36th state to approve it.
Also on this date:
In 1590, John White, the governor of the Roanoke Island colony (in present-day North Carolina), returned to Roanoke after nearly three years abroad only to find the settlement deserted; the fate of the 'Lost Colony' remains a mystery.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Proclamation of Neutrality, aimed at keeping the United States out of World War I.
In 1958 , Vladimir Nabokov's novel 'Lolita' was published in the United States.
In 1963, James Meredith became the first Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi.
In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in Bethel, New York, wound to a close after three nights with a mid-morning set by Jimi Hendrix.
In 1983, Hurricane Alicia slammed into the Texas coast, leaving 21 dead and causing more than a billion dollars' worth of damage.
In 2004, in Athens, Paul Hamm won the men's gymnastics all-around Olympic gold medal by the closest margin ever in the event; controversy followed after it was discovered a scoring error cost Yang Tae-young of South Korea the title.
In 2005, a judge in Wichita, Kansas, sentenced BTK serial killer Dennis Rader to 10 consecutive life terms, the maximum the law would allow.
In 2014, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the National Guard to Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis convulsed by protests over the fatal shooting of a Black 18-year-old, Michael Brown.
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Newsweek
25 minutes ago
- Newsweek
US Army Paratroopers to See Major Pay Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Army is restructuring its airborne forces, leading to pay changes for thousands of parachutist positions. According to a report from the American military newspaper Stars and Stripes, an administrative message delivered to service members on July 30 announced that more than 22,000 paratroopers will no longer receive their monthly $150 "jump pay." This is due to reclassifications of paid parachutist positions which will take effect in the upcoming fiscal year. The reduced number which will remain eligible for the payments will comprise those deemed more likely to deploy these capabilities in combat operations in the foreseeable future, Newsweek understands. When approached for comment, U.S. Army Spokesman Major Travis Shaw told Newsweek: "The decision resulted from a 16-week study, which concluded that transformation was needed because the previous structure exceeded the operational requirements." Why It Matters The removal of jump pay for more than 22,000 parachutists—a significant portion of the roughly 50,000 the army keeps on its rolls—signals a major shift in its priorities, emphasizing the need for combat readiness and resource management over the maintenance of a large and permanent airborne force. What To Know Jump pay—also known as Parachute Duty Pay—is an extra monthly bonus awarded to soldiers who are parachute-qualified and actively serving in airborne roles. The upcoming change will allow soldiers to attain their parachuting qualifications but will not require them to keep these up to date or take part in jump operations. Soldiers are generally required to jump once every three months to maintain jump status, a baseline considered inadequate among Army leadership for achieving proficiency. This change was discussed earlier this year. Lieutenant General Gregory Anderson, head of the 18th Airborne Corps, told Army Times in April that dozens of branches had been discussing how to improve the readiness of airborne operations since September. "We started to assume risk with the high-end forces that have to be ready to go tonight," Anderson told the outlet. "This is not about saving money; it's about getting readiness to where we need it." Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the US Army in Europe take part in the military exercise Swift Response 2025 at the military base in Rukla, Lithuania, on May 16, 2025. Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the US Army in Europe take part in the military exercise Swift Response 2025 at the military base in Rukla, Lithuania, on May 16, 2025. AFP via Getty Images/Petras Malukas Anderson added that limited aircraft had led to a broad "decline in collective airborne proficiency," and that devoting resources to over 50,000 airborne positions had reduced the readiness of assault forces. "We're trying to prop up a very big structure of 56,000 with dwindling resources, we're spreading those resources out, and we're undermining our own readiness goals," Anderson said during a podcast appearance in April. He added that many of those currently receiving jump pay are not currently meeting their "proficiency requirements." Major Shaw told Newsweek that removing 22,000 from paid active jump status "will refocus training and resources on critical forces to strengthen operational effectiveness." Soldiers who remain eligible will see an increase in this extra monthly allowance, as announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in May, with jump pay is set to increase from $150 per month to $200 for paratroopers. In addition, jumpmasters, who are responsible for training and leading airborne operations, "are going to receive an additional $150 a month in incentive pay," Hegseth told the audience of current and active members of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Major Shaw told Newsweek that this will mean jumpmasters will be paid an additional $350 per month for these duties, and that this pay bump is in recognition of "the essential role of jumpmasters in developing combat-ready forces." What People Are Saying Lieutenant General Gregory Anderson, during an episode of the From the Green Notebook podcast, said: "Here's the big change: we're going to reduce the number of paid parachuter positions by 22,000. So currently, as of today, we have 56,000 paid parachuter positions in the Army. For historical context, the 101st and the 82nd at Normandy dropped fewer than 13,000 into Normandy." "It's not about the money per se, it's literally about—for the forces that will jump in the alpha echelon and fight off a potentially contested drop zone—we want them at the highest level of readiness," he added. "And three jumps … is not going to get us the readiness we need." One Redditor on the r/army forum, a community for current and former recruits as well as enthusiasts, wrote: "Even as someone who was Airborne I think this makes sense. The Army was paying over 20,000 people to be on jump status who realistically weren't going to be used as such. By having them still be Airborne qualified though they can quickly recreate Airborne units by having them go through refresher training if they ever needed. Sounds like they aren't going to save all that money though because they are going to boost the pay for the remaining Airborne troops and jumpmasters." What Happens Next? The changes are set to take effect in the 2026 fiscal year which begins October 1.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Expert sounds off on problematic feature of city landscaping: 'I found out the hard way'
Expert sounds off on problematic feature of city landscaping: 'I found out the hard way' A tree specialist posted a YouTube short about taking care of trees planted incorrectly in a major U.S. city. The short, posted by YouTuber Andrew the Arborist (@Andrew_the_Arborist), shows the problems that come with trees planted suboptimally in Philadelphia. He explains that the two main issues stem from improper planting and soil compaction. "Some of these trees were planted too deep, below grade," he says. He then points out that there are multiple potential causes of soil compaction. These include the impact of foot traffic and vibrations from the road and the subway. This makes it difficult for the tree to get the water and oxygen the roots need. "Thanks to the seven National Park Service employees who manage the 60 acres here in Philadelphia," the short concludes. Trees in cities are highly beneficial to residents and urban wildlife. The EPA reports that just a 10% increase in tree cover in New York City would save thousands of lives. Trees provide shade, help filter the air, and have a natural cooling effect. However, these benefits can only come if they're properly managed. As an article by Eos noted, trees won't do well in an urban environment without help. The expertise shown in the video is an excellent example of the importance of proper care for trees. Of course, even less populated, more spacious locales are still prone to tree-killing errors. The dreaded mulch volcano has claimed more than a few suburban trees. Similarly, a tree planted too deeply has the odds stacked against it. However, landscaping doesn't have to be complicated. Rewilding a yard means working with native plants and eliminating the need for excess water and harmful pesticides — creating a yard that is both good for the environment and low-maintenance. The comments were appreciative, and a few expressed some envy about the expert's occupation. One said, "You have a dream job, congrats!" What's the hardest thing about taking care of your yard? Mowing the lawn Controlling weeds Keeping pests at bay I don't have a yard Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. One commenter was motivated to take action in their community, saying, "Thanks for that. The trees next to our farmer's market look like that. I'll bring it up with the city." Another commenter was all too familiar with the problems shown in the video. "I found out the hard way about what happens when tree roots get buried too deeply… I lost a 3 year old American chestnut sapling because of it." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
James Silcott, trailblazing Black architect who sued L.A. County over discrimination, dies at 95
James E. Silcott, a trailblazing Los Angeles architect who, thanks to many gifts to his alma mater, Howard University, became the most generous benefactor to architecture students at historically Black colleges in the U.S., died July 17 in Washington, D.C. He was 95. Silcott's memorial service took place on Saturday at Howard; he will be laid to rest in L.A.'s Inglewood Park Cemetery on Sept. 6. Silcott, who started in Los Angeles working for Gruen Associates alongside colleagues like Frank Gehry, made history as the first Black project architect for both Los Angeles County and UCLA. His successful legal battles with the county — he alleged that he had been unfairly terminated because of his race, and was later a victim of retribution for his lawsuit — shined a light on the entrenched barriers Black professionals faced in public institutions at the time. Born Dec. 21, 1929, in Boston, to parents from the Caribbean island of Montserrat, Silcott grew up in the city's Roxbury neighborhood during a time of limited opportunities for young Black people. Living in tenements and walk-ups, and making friends of all races and ethnicities, he learned self-reliance, resilience and cultural fluency, as he recounted in a 2007 oral history for Northeastern University's Lower Roxbury Black History Project. After graduating high school, he worked as a hotel cook alongside his father. 'I didn't know what I wanted,' he said. But an aptitude test at a local YMCA pointed him toward architecture. After being rejected from several architecture schools, he received a lifeline via Howard University in Washington, D.C. Silcott entered Howard — its architecture program was the first at a historically Black college to receive accreditation — in 1949. He came under the mentorship of Howard H. Mackey Sr., one of the most prominent Black architects and educators of the 20th century, known for instilling a sense of architecture's civic purpose. Silcott's studies were interrupted by three years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Returning to Howard, he earned his 5-year bachelor of architecture degree in 1957. Those years were marked by constant financial strain — often forcing him, as he put it, to decide 'whether to buy books or buy food' — an experience that would later drive him, as a donor to Howard, to ensure that future students wouldn't face that choice. He would never forget the role Howard played for him. 'He felt like when nobody else would take him, Howard took him,' said his niece Julie Roberts. 'He really credits them for laying the groundwork and setting the path and changing the trajectory of his life.' Silcott began his career working for architect Arthur Cohen in Boston before moving to Los Angeles — he always hated the cold, said his friends and family — in 1958. Joining Gruen Associates, one of the era's most influential firms, he, among other efforts, collaborated with Frank Gehry on the design of the Winrock Shopping Center in Albuquerque. He would soon work at UCLA's architectural and engineering office, becoming the school's first Black project lead on buildings like the UCLA Boathouse (1965), with its light-filled, maritime-inspired form — including porthole windows and an upper story deck for viewing races. Also at UCLA he collaborated with Welton Becket and Associates on the Jules Stein Eye Institute (1966), with its clean-lined facade of pale stone columns and glass walls that opened to natural light while maintaining shade and privacy. He later joined Los Angeles County's Department of Facilities Management, where he would become a senior architect and help oversee projects like the Inglewood Courts Building (1973, another collaboration with Becket) and Los Angeles County Southeast General Hospital (1971), eventually renamed Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital. As the only Black architect working in the county, Silcott's good friend (and fellow Howard architecture graduate) Melvin Mitchell said he was not always welcome. 'None of those men could ever imagine someone of Silcott's race or color wielding that kind of power, despite the phony smiles and benign language used,' Mitchell said in his eulogy at Howard. At the end of the decade Silcott was demoted and later laid off during budget cuts — a move he contended was racially motivated. The county's Civil Service Commission eventually agreed, ruling in 1984 that he had been improperly terminated in order to preserve the jobs of white employees with less seniority, and ordering that he be reinstated with full back pay. 'I had to fight for my job just to make sure the rules were applied fairly,' Silcott told the Los Angeles Times. But the reinstatement was short-lived: within months, Silcott alleged that the county had retaliated by stripping away meaningful duties, among other retributions. 'They had him working in a closet at one time,' said Roberts. Later that year, the Board of Supervisors approved a roughly $1 million settlement offer to resolve his federal discrimination lawsuit. The Times noted that his case had 'become a rallying point' for those seeking greater equity in public employment. As Silcott later reflected, 'This was never just about me. It was about making sure the next Black architect who comes along doesn't have to fight the same battles.' Silcott would later work as an architectural consultant to public agencies and universities while serving on several public boards, including the South Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, the Los Angeles Board of Zoning Appeals and the California State Board of Architectural Examiners. He built a stylish home in Windsor Hills, where he would regularly host family, not to mention mayors, council members, and, later, former President Obama, said Mitchell. In 1995 — retired as an architect — he took on minority ownership and a board seat at Kennard Design Group, one of the largest Black-owned architecture firms in the country, following the death of its founder (and Silcott's good friend) Robert Kennard. 'He didn't hesitate,' said Gail Kennard, Robert's daughter, who still leads the firm, and wanted to ensure the company's stability at a difficult time. 'He was always there to help. For advice, support, anything. Without hesitation he'd say, 'I'll do it.' He just had that generous spirit.' But Silcott's greatest love, noted Kennard, was Howard — particularly its Department of Architecture — where he would go on to become a historically prolific philanthropist, and help mentor generations of aspiring architects. 'He would tell me stories about people who were coming up in the profession,' said Kennard. 'He'd say, I found this new student and he or she's my new project.' Silcott's ability to support the school financially grew out of skillful real estate investments, which began with a few buildings in Boston that he inherited from his mother. He managed and expanded numerous properties both in Boston and Los Angeles. In 1991 he helped establish the James E. Silcott Fund, now valued at $250,000, offering emergency aid to Howard architecture students in financial distress. In 2002, he established the James E. Silcott Endowed Chair with an initial $1 million, bringing architects like Sir David Adjaye, Philip Freelon, Jack Travis and Roberta Washington to teach and mentor at Howard. And with a $1 million gift he funded the T. George Silcott Gallery, named for his late brother, providing a venue for exhibitions, critiques and public lectures. Silcott also made unrestricted contributions of hundreds of thousands more to Howard's Department of Architecture, supporting scholarships, travel fellowships and capital improvements. By the end of his life, his contributions to Howard exceeded $3 million, making him, according to the school, the largest individual donor to architecture programs at historically Black colleges and universities in the country. 'Howard and its school of architecture was at the very center of his life,' said Mitchell, who noted Silcott's gifts also helped keep the school afloat during difficult periods. Silcott received the Howard University Alumni Achievement Award, the Centennial Professional Excellence Award and the Howard H. Mackey Dean's Medal, named after his mentor. He also received the Kresge/Coca-Cola Award for philanthropy to HBCUs. In 2020, he was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows. After a stroke in 2020, Silcott moved to Washington, D.C., to be under family care. He was placed in hospice in 2022, and put on a feeding tube, but lived three more years against the odds, noted Roberts, one of seven close nieces and nephews who called him 'Uncle James.' 'He would not acknowledge that he wasn't going to live forever,' said Roberts. Silcott remained engaged with Howard until his death.
