Where two history buffs go far beyond the Freedom Trail to share our favorite stories from the history of Boston, the hub of the universe.
http://HUBhistory.com
episode 299: Starlit Old North
During the bicentennial celebrations in 1976, Boston bustled with fireworks, concerts, and historical reenactments, while a unique spectacle quietly unfolded at the Old North Church. The iconic lanterns, forever linked to Paul Revere’s midnight ride, were illuminated not by candlelight, but by the distant light of a star some 200 light-years away. This episode explores the technological challenges involved in capturing starlight and converting it into an electrical signal that traveled thousands of miles, as well as the promotional challenges for Hawaiian officials who wanted to feel like part of the bicentennial celebration. Buckle up, as we journey from the volcanic peak of Mauna Kea to the heart of revolutionary Boston, all under the ethereal glow of a distant star.
Full show notes: http://HUBhistory.com/299/
Support us: http://patreon.com/HUBhistory/
Starlit Old North- 1776 Starlight Illuminated Old North’s Lanterns for the Bicentennial, Erika Tauer’s article for Old North that first tipped me off to this story
- “BICENTENNIAL: Oh, What a Lovely Party!” Time Magazine, Monday, July 19, 1976
- “Christian Mayer’s Double Star Catalog of 1779,” J.S. Schlimmer, Journal of Double Star Observations, Fall 2007
- “Epsilon Lyrae is the famous Double Double star,” Bruce McClure, EarthSky, July 4, 2023
- “Removal of Maunakea observatory set to begin in April, completed by August,” University of Hawai’i News, April 8, 2024
- “Getting Lost in the Stars,” Pierre Bowman, Honolulu Star Bulletin, July 5, 1976
- “A Star for Paul Revere,” Honolulu Advertiser, July 1, 1976 (this one has the fun graphic)
- “Lanterns Lit By Star’s 1776 Light,” Boston Globe, July 5, 1976
- “America on Way to Party,” Holyoke Transcript-Telegram, July 3, `1976
- “Starlight Triggers Lanterns,” Idaho Statesman, July 5, 1976 (A wire story carried all over the country)
- “Hawaii-Boston Feat Successful,” Jake Williams, Honolulu Advertiser, July 5, 1976
- “Boston: American Kaleidoscope,” Mrs. Opal E. Eckert, The Maryville (MO) Daily Forum, July 16, 1976