Pelican Island’s Protection Sparked a Nationwide Wildlife Refuge Explosion

Quick Smiles:

• Pelican Island became America’s first National Wildlife Refuge 123 years ago.
• Michael Caine celebrates 93 years of cinematic brilliance.
• Quincy Jones marks 93 years producing musical masterpieces.

President Theodore Roosevelt designated Pelican Island off Florida’s east coast as the nation’s first National Wildlife Refuge 123 years ago today.

A 3-acre island with 2.5 acres of surrounding water, it shelters hundreds of species including endangered West Indian manatees, sea turtles, and wood storks.

Immigrant Paul Kroegel, with the American Ornithologists’ Union and Florida Audubon Society, successfully petitioned Roosevelt for its protection.

The U.S. now protects 568 refuges across 150 million acres.

Birders love chartering boats to spot dozens of species and hiking the 7.8-mile Jungle Trail through mangroves and palms.

British icon Michael Caine turns 93, boasting two Oscars, six nominations across five decades, and $7.8 billion in box office from 130 films.

Knighted in 2000, he shone in roles from Dressed to Kill to Alfred in the Dark Knight Trilogy.

Quincy Jones, born 93 years ago, produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bad while composing 33 film scores and earning a record 79 Grammys.

95 years ago, Alam Ara premiered as India’s first talking film, blending Hindustani dialogue and songs to captivate audiences.

With the release of Alam Ara, Indian cinema proved two things—that films could now be made in a regional language that the local viewers could understand; and that songs and music were integral parts of the entire form and structure of the Indian film. — Shoma Chatterji

66 years ago, a 250-foot British radio telescope in Cheshire contacted a U.S. probe 407,000 miles away.

Today, it measures planetary distances, observes pulsars and quasars, and aids SETI searches for extraterrestrial life.

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