7 Memorable Eclipses From the Last 250 Years

On April 8, many Americans will be able to see a total eclipse—their last chance to view one in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. Throughout history, eclipses prompt an enthusiasm among people that is contagious, according to author David Baron, whose book American Eclipse covers the 1878 eclipse, which led to a new kind of enthusiasm for science in the U.S.. “Excitement about the 1878 eclipse really got America jazzed about science and galvanized us to try to take on Europe as our own scientific power,” Baron says. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Below, TIME looks back at notable eclipses in American history. October 27, 1780 This eclipse crossed Maine, including territory under British control during the Revolutionary war. Massachusetts governor-elect John Hancock wrote a letter to British forces asking them to briefly put their political differences aside and allow Harvard professor Samuel Williams through the Gulf of Maine to make some observations, writing, “We are political enemies, yet with regard to Science it is presumable we shall not dissent from the practice of all civilized people in promoting it either in conjunction or separately as occasions for it shall happen to offer.” June 16, 1806 The eclipse could be seen from modern-day Arizona to Massachusetts. Among the Massachusetts observers was U.S. Senator and future President John Quincy Adams, who journaled about the phenomenon from Boston. As he observe...
Source: TIME: Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Uncategorized culturepod Eclipse Source Type: news