On This Day In History, January 12

On January 12 1904, Henry Ford sets the new land speed record of the time with a speed of 91.37 mph. Ford, using a prototype model of one of his later vehicles, set the record on Michigan's Lake Saint Claire, when it was frozen over in the winter. Ford called his prototype automobile the "999" and would later revise its schematics into the world renowned Model T. Ford had created the Ford Motor Company the year before in 1903. Ford had tested other cars before the 999, but this one was the fastest one he had tested at that time. Ford continued testing cars after this and took notes as to how the cars should function and operate in order to create a cheap automotive that would run well and be available to everyone. This dream would come to light in 1908 with the invention of the Model T, the worlds first commercial car. Even after the Model T, Ford's company would continue to make different models of cars even up to today, with Ford's company still existing and still creating cars and trucks for the general public.

This even was significant back in this time for many reasons. At this point in history, cars were only available for the rich, and even those cars were expensive and did not entirely run correctly. Ford wanted to change this and make an affordable automobile to be used by everyone that didn't break down all the time. Not only that, but others were also expanding on the new automotive frontier, and may have been wondering what to do with these new vehicles, this speed record may have opened peoples eyes to the prospect of car racing. The more practical use of cars at this time however, was to get to places faster than ever before. Back then, the only way to get to locations was either by walking or by horseback or train. But a train could only go where there was a rail, and a horse didn't go very fast, that and horses could fall ill or get hurt while en route to their destination. What people really wanted and needed was something that could be easily fixed, could go anywhere, and was fast, and that's exactly what Ford made with his invention.

Today, this event is significant in the way that it paved the way for other events to happen. When Ford did this, he was testing the final stages of his new automobile, and this would change the world forever. Look outside right now, surely you can see at least one road, or highway, or parking lot, all for what? Cars, automobiles. Sure, they have gone through some big changes over the years, but the basic concept remains the same. Four wheels, steering wheel, and an engine. Our world practically revolves around cars today, if you were to remove your car from your life, even just for a day, life would be a lot harder wouldn't it? Even the speed record that was set during the actual event was broken in the span of a month, and today, we have much higher speed records that make this one seem like a walk in the park. But none of those records would be broken or exist if the car wasn't invented in the first place. ayy lmao

On This Day, January 7 1789

On this day, January 7th, 1789, the newly formed United States Of America elects its first president, George Washington, through the electoral college system. Back in this age, only white men who owned property could vote. Today, the system has been changed so that anybody who is a registered citizen of the United States and is over the age of 18 can vote. Washington was also elected through the electoral college system. Back in this era, the United States was a newly formed nation, and it needed a leader. However, instead of picking a king like their previous British oppressors, the new nation decided to elect a president who had only limited power in a moderated government. When Washington won the election, and was inaugurated, the nation finally had a leader to look up to, a leader who wouldn't oppress them, as the British did. Washington had already proven his worth to the nation during the Revolution, where he served as a general, and led the colonists to victory against Britain, and helped the new nation gain its independence. 

Even today, the system of electing a president remains mostly the same, the only things that have majorly changed since the 1700's is the rights of who can vote. Since Washington, there have been 43 presidents. Each one elected in the same way. However, one system that causes controversy is the electoral college system. While some support it and some oppose it, it has still been in use despite efforts to stop it. The electoral college system can sometimes allow a president to win an election even if the candidate did not receive the majority of popular votes. This is the main argument for those who oppose the electoral college system, and it is partially true. Despite all these controversies, this even still retains its important political and historical significance even today. Washington has gone down in American history as a great military leader, a great political leader, and a great man of morals and respect. Some even go as far as to say that Washington was the best president we've had, and while thats debatable, the importance of it all remains the same.