Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released, which marked the beginnings of the PC revolution. While poorly received, it was followed by Windows 2.0, which ran the first versions of Word and Excel, and then Windows 3.0 (and 3.1) which was the first widely released version of windows when it was released less than 5 years later.
And overworked LOLCats everywhere rejoiced!
Reduce, reuse, recycle becomes a reality in the space program (getting us one step closer to extra-planetary supply chain management) when mission STS-2 launches Space Shuttle Columbia. This was the first time a manned spacecraft was launched into space twice.
And now we have …
Ready for blast-off!
So, American LOLCat, who do you predict will win, given that just a few days ago the polls were so close, as per this Telegraph article that put the candidates neck-and-neck in a recent poll as a result of the resurfacing e-mail scandal? (Now, FiveThirtyEight.com still gave Hilary a 66% chance two days later, and, historically, Nate Silver is pretty accurate in his predictions, but will this election buck the trend?)
GATT was created. Originally signed by 23 nations in Geneva on October 30, 1947, it was the foundation for global trade until January 1, 1995 when the WTO was formally established (after being agreed to by 123 nations in Marrakesh on April 14, 1994). GATT was important not just because it created critical multi-lateral agreements, but because it offered a substantial reduction of tariffs and other trade barriers for its member countries, with average tariff levels for major GATT participants of only 22%. This might sound high as a tax rate, but when you consider some acts can see tariffs as high as 100% or 200% (to prevent market flooding with foreign goods), this is very advantageous. And these levels dropped over time. By 1967, average tariff levels were 15%, and by 1993, two years before the creation of the WTO, average tariff levels were 5%.
Any comments, LOLCat?
While Constantinople may have fell 563 years ago, it was remembered 128 years ago today in the The Convention of Constantinople which guaranteed free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace. Connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez, it provides seagoing vessels with a short route between the North Atlantic and North Indian oceans, reducing the journey (which used to go through the South Atlantic and South Indian oceans) by 7,000 kms. Without this treaty, global logistics could have been brought to a halt with canal blockage.
And LOLCats everywhere rejoiced!
