Today in History: There's A Start and An Ending

A 14th-century depiction of
Mongol leader Genghis Kahn

A reported noted that 1 in 200 of the world population are possibly related to Genghis Khan. If the report were truly accurate, that would mean that at least 1 in 200 people in this world lost at least one descendent today in 1227.  August 18th, 1227 marks the death of Mongol leader Genghis Khan, who died in a camp while campaigning against the Xi Xia kingdom in China during the Song Dynasty. Unknown of true age, historians have estimated at the time of his death, the senile Khan was over 60 and suffered from multiple injuries like falling off a horse a year before. Khan ordered the kingdom of Xi Xia to be completely destroyed on his deathbed. Following Khan's orders, the kingdoms were demolished by the Mongols. The Mongols killed anyone who laid an eye on the funeral possessions of Khan, which were making its way back to the capitol of the Mongol empire, Karakorum. Khan's resting place is currently still a mystery.

The first page of
the Jay Treaty

The Jay Treaty was a treaty proposed mainly by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and George Washington, was signed by Washington on this day in 1795. This treaty, also known as the Treaty of London of 1794, was to sooth post war tensions between the newly-formed United States of America and Great Britain. British King George III had signed this treaty nearly a year before on November 19, 1794. After much opposition to the treaty in the United States, it had been finally been approved by Congress days before on August 14th, only awaiting president approval. 

The 19th Amendment document
can be found in the US
Government archives

Women's rights have always been a problem in the world. On this day in 1920, women's rights in the United States makes a big milestone with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. With Tennessee ratifying the amendment, allowing the two-thirds of state majority vote on the amendment, the simple two sections described that the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on the account of sex." 

An image of Bird
playing on the
Boston Celtics

Today in history marks the 21st anniversary of basketball legend, Larry Bird. On August 18th, 1992, Bird announced his retirement as a player in the NBA. Bird's jersey number 33 was retired by the Boston Celtics shortly after. Retiring from the NBA as a player did not stop him from totally disappearing from the NBA. He worked as the Celtics' front office special assistant for five years until he was hired as the Indiana Pacers head coach. In 1998, Bird continued his legacy with an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Bird also was named NBA Coach of the Year that year after leading the Pacers to a franchise record 58-24 season. Currently, Bird is the Pacers' president of basketball operations.