Glossary
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1904 World Fair: St. Louis World Fair of 1904 - Mr. Edison’s Amazing Hall of Electricity showcased science advancements that startled the imagination a century ago and foretold technology still in place today. It ushered in a new era in which machines began taking over the work of humans, still a hot topic one hundred years later.
Ceylon: Sri Lanka
Debonair: Adjective 1. (Archaic) Gentle; Courteous 2. a. Suave; Urbane b. Lighthearted; nonchalant
Diphtheria Epidemic: Statistics shows that in the 1920s there were an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 cases of diphtheria per year in the United States, with 13,000 to 15,000 deaths. Effective vaccines were not developed until the discovery and development of sulfa drugs following World War II.
Havanas: Refers to the tradition of handing out cigars at a baby's birth, particularly at the time of a son's birth. Cuban cigars were and still are considered the best quality cigars. Will Rogers was born prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis, after which trade with Cuba became illegal.
Kiwanis: The organization originated in August 1914 in Detroit, Michigan. Kiwanis became international with the organization of the Kiwanis club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916. Until 1988 the organization accepted only men as members. By action of the International Convention in 1987, the rules were changed to admit women as well. The original purpose of Kiwanis was to exchange business between members and to serve the poor. Kiwanis tries to serve children and youth using two approaches. One attempts to improve the quality of life directly through activities promoting health, education, etc. The other tries to encourage leadership and service among youth. In pursuit of the latter goal, Kiwanis sponsors about 7,000 youth service clubs with nearly 320,000 youth members. Kiwanis founded and supports Key Club International. Started in Sacramento, California in 1925, Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students in the world.
Missouri-Pacific RR: Leaders of St. Louis secured a Missouri charter in 1849 for the Pacific Railroad to extend "from St. Louis to the western boundary of Missouri and thence to the Pacific Ocean." The "ground breaking celebration" was held on the July 4, 1851.
New York Times: The Times was established in 1851 as a penny paper that would avoid sensationalism and report the news in a restrained and objective fashion. It enjoyed early success as its editors set a pattern for the future by appealing to a cultured, intellectual readership instead of a mass audience. one of the world’s great newspapers, its strength is in its editorial excellence.
Oklahoma Territory: The Territory of Oklahoma existed for a brief seventeen years, yet its rapid expansion and development made its history unique. Oklahoma became a state on November 16,1907.
Pie in the Sky: A promise of heaven, while continuing to suffer in this life.
Revue: The word "Revue" in the title is used as a double entendre - Noun: A light theatrical entertainment consisting of short sketches, songs, and dances. Review: Noun A formal assessment or examination of something.
Sage: 1. a. wise through reflection and experience. b. archaic : grave, solemn. 2. proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment (sage advice)
Scopes Monkey Trial: Darwin vs. The Bible - Tennessee July 1925, sixty-six years after Charles Darwin published his controversial Origin of Species, the debate he'd engendered over humankind's evolution from primates had suddenly reached a fever pitch in this hamlet on the Tennessee River. Efforts to enforce a new state statute against the teaching of evolution in public schools had precipitated the arrest of Dayton educator John T. Scopes. His subsequent prosecution drew international press attention as well as the involvement of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Scopes Trial by J. Kingston Pierce. Further reading: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/evolut.htm
Stock Market Crash: On the morning of Thursday, October 24, 1929, stock prices plummeted. Vast numbers of people were selling their stocks. Margin calls were sent out. People across the country watched the ticker as the numbers it spit out spelled their doom. The ticker was so overwhelmed that it quickly fell behind. A crowd gathered outside of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, stunned at the downturn. Rumors circulated of people committing suicide.
The Will Rogers Hospital and Institute: Founded in 1977, Will Rogers Institute's mission is to perpetuate the memory of Will Rogers by promoting and engaging in medical research pertaining to cardio-pulmonary diseases and educating the general public on topics of health and fitness. Most of the Will Rogers Institute-sponsored research is conducted at our four research hospitals Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, University of Southern California, and University of California, Los Angeles. The Institute also sponsors research fellowships in lung diseases at many major universities and medical centers throughout North America, thereby helping to train future leaders of lung research to serve our children and future generations. See http://www.wrinstitute.org/
Turkish Delight: noun a jellylike or gummy confection usually cut in cubes and dusted with sugar
Vacuum tube: An electron tube from which all or most of the gas has been removed, permitting electrons to move with low interaction with any remaining gas molecules.
Wild West Show: Will Rogers returned home after the tour, but, in 1901, he was off once again-this time to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Realizing that "Argentina was not for him," Rogers accepted a job tending cattle on a boat sailing for South Africa. Not long after his arrival, Rogers drove a herd of mules from Durban to Ladysmith. Luck was finally on his side-Texas Jack's Wild West Show was in town. Rogers immediately signed on with Texas Jack as a trick roper. "The Cherokee Kid" was an instant success--Rogers was "the center of attraction" When Rogers decided to return home in 1903, Texas Jack wrote "as glowing a recommendation" as a young performer could ask for.
Will Rogers Newspaper Column: Perhaps none of his writings made Will Rogers more famous than his Daily Telegrams. Syndicated in more than 500 newspapers, including at least one in every major city, these short daily columns of down-to-earth, humorous takes on current events, everyday issues, and life's questions reached millions of readers throughout the country. First published in the New York Times in late July 1926 and continuing until Rogers' death in August 1935, they would through the years shape public opinions, impact government policies, and influence peoples' perceptions. Readers were known to read first Will's Daily Telegram each morning, then the rest of the newspaper.
Will Rogers Radio Show: Known for his quips and own brand of storytelling, The Will Rogers Program allowed him to spread his own word across the country. All the while, he donated the sponsorship money to charity.
