This Day in History January 23, 1909

I find this interesting that this happened three years prior to the Titanic. This was also a White Star Line ship called the RMS Republic.  It collided with the Italian ship Florida due to dense fog.  And on this date in 1909, a distress signal went out over the radio.  And thus began the first ever radio rescue at sea.  Those who survived the initial collision were evacuated to the RMS Baltic.

For more information:
http://famousdaily.com/history/the-first-radio-rescue-at.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Republic_(1903)
http://www.rms-republic.com/index.php

This Day in History January 12, 1908

Okay, maybe this isn't the most exciting thing in the world--slim pickings today.  I really struggled to find something, but I did!  On this date in 1908, the first long-distance radio message was sent from the Eiffel Tower in France.  And it seems like that is all she wrote!

I seem to remember seeing something in passing that said this helped during the War.  And I read something else that said that this radio signal was part of what kept this tower standing after the original 20 years that it was supposed to be allowed to stand.

I have never been to France although I have dreamed of it.  I took three years of French in high school, and my French teacher wanted me to take an AP French test.  I know I could have gone on with my language learning.  When I was a senior, I actually had to help translate on a trip to New York.  I had been away from it for a year, so it was not easy.  But I did my best, and I think the lady was happy that I at least somewhat understood her.  I was unable to relate the instructions back to her.  But at least I tried!

Although there is not a lot of additional information, here are the sites I used:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ei/Eiffel_Tower
http://www.music.us/education/E/Eiffel-Tower.htm
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-tourist-attractions/eiffel-tower.htm