During Hispanic Heritage Month we take a look at the contributions the Hispanic community has provided to our way of life in the United States. This week we take a look at the roles the Hispanic community has played as aviators, from the father of flight to the first Hispanic Latina in outer space. We extend our appreciation to the Smithsonian Institution for the following stories and NASA ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for the story about Dr. Ellen Ochoa.
Highlights
in Latin American Aviation History
The following lecture was given by Daniel Hagedorn, Adjunct Curator for Latin American Aviation at the National Air and Space Museum.
It is a distinct pleasure and honor for me to speak to such
a distinguished assembly on a subject that has been my personal
passion for some thirty-five years now. I will bring you but a
very brief glimpse of the very rich and eventful history of aviation
in Latin America. Both military and naval aviation will be touched
upon as well as the civilian and commercial sphere. Needless to
say, it would take far longer than the few moments to convey the
entire breadth of the subject. However, perhaps in these selected
examples you will leave with a richer understanding of what has
gone before.
It will probably come as something of a surprise to you to learn that a Latin American aeronaut actually flew before the Wright brothers. But way before someone rushes out to alert the "Washington Post," the aeronaut in question flew in a lighter-than-air dirigible of his own design, rather than a fixed wing, controllable, powered aircraft, which claim is still held by the immortal Wright brothers.
For the rest of this story please follow this link:
Alberto Santos-Dumont a Brazilian aviation pioneer,
deemed the Father of Aviation by Brazilians
Alberto Santos Dumont was born July 20, 1873, in the village
of Cabangu, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. At the age of 18, Santos
Dumont was sent by his father to Paris where he devoted his time
to the study of chemistry, physics, astronomy and mechanics. His
first spherical balloon, "Brasil," ordered from Maison
La-Chambre, with the capacity of 113 cubic meters, capable of
lifting a ballast of 114.4 lbs, and having in its lower part a
wicker basket, made its first ascension in Paris on July 4th,
1898. His second balloon, "America," had 500 cubic meters
of capacity and gave Santos Dumont the Aero Club of Paris award
to study the atmospheric currents. Twelve balloons had participated
in this competition but "America" reached a greater
altitude and remained in the air for 22 hours.
Inventor & Revolutionary, Victor Ochoa
The Ochoa Plane
Note: This rticle contains transcriptions of newspaper articles.
Many are unattributable and undated.
. . .Ochoa was the inventor of the Ochoaplane, made by the
International Airship Co. of Paterson, N.J.
Ellen Ochoa the First Latina in Outer Space
Ellen Ochoa was born May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles, California,
but considers La Mesa, California, to be her hometown. A graduate
from Grossmont High School, La Mesa, California, in 1975; received
a bachelor of science degree in physics from San Diego State University
in 1980, a master of science degree and doctorate in electrical
engineering from Stanford University in 1981 and 1985, respectively.
Our Invisible Children: A Night On San Diego's
Streets
By Yvette tenBerge
This is the final piece of a two-part story on the commercial
sexual exploitation of children here in San Diego County. This
article introduces some of the "invisible" teens and
young adults who struggle to survive on San Diego's streets each
day, and outlines a night in the life of an outreach worker for
Storefront, San Diego's only emergency shelter for homeless youth.
The names of these teens and young adults have been changed, or
their "street names" used, in order to protect their
privacy.
Speaking With Kids on San Diego's Streets
By Yvette tenBerge
On any given night, hundreds of runaway, throwaway and homeless
youth wander the streets of downtown and thousands are estimated
to roam San Diego County. By day, these children, teens and young
adults blend in with the throngs of people that make their way
to and from work. By night, as many of us are tucked away in our
beds, these youth make their way along these same streets, forced
to fend off or accept offers from sexual predators. La Prensa
took to the streets to hear what our forgotten youth have to say.
Our Children Are the Real Victims of the Terrorist
Crisis
By Sarita Sarvate
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, I sent my children
to school as usual. I hadn't realized yet that this was the day
their world was to change forever.
Ambiente-EEUU: La Amenaza De Una Nube Tóxica
Por Katherine Stapp
NUEVA YORK (Tierramérica) Partículas de un polvo
brillante se suspenden en el aire y pequeños focos ígneos
persisten entre los escombros del World Trade Center, de Nueva
York, al tiempo que miles de personas regresan a su trabajo en
la zona sur de Manhattan.
Pakistan: Comienzan Las Recompensas por Apoyar
a Estados Unidos
Comentario de Mushahid Hussain
ISLAMABAD (IPS) -- Estados Unidos levantó las sanciones
económicas que había impuesto a Pakistán
e India por sus ensayos con armas nucleares en mayo de 1998, y
la decisión implica ante todo una recompensa a Islamabad
por apoyar lo que Washington llama guerra contra el terrorismo.
Governor Davis Appoints Judge Carlos Moreno to
the California Supreme Court
SACRAMENTO - Governor Gray Davis announced the appointment
of Federal Judge Carlos R. Moreno as an Associate Justice of the
California Supreme Court, filling the vacancy created by the death
of Justice Stanley Mosk in June.
Immigrant Fears — Loss of Safe Haven in
America
By Andres Tapia
MEXICO CITY — After graduating from college in the 1980s,
terrorist bombings and five-digit inflation kept me from going
back to my native Peru. For my American wife and myself, the United
States offered a safe haven from political violence and unstable
economies. That all changed on September 11.
LA
COLUMNA VERTEBRAL
Por Fabián Domán
El Gran Desafío
Cada generación de norteamericanos ha tenido que
entregar su esfuerzo para que Estados Unidos se convierta en la
nación más poderosa de la tierra. Así como
los colonos dieron desde su vida hasta sus pertenecías
para independizarse de los ingleses y más recientemente,
en los años 40, como miles de jóvenes se involucraron
en un conflicto europeo y oriental que parecía lejano y
que a partir de Pearl Harbor fue propio, ahora llegó el
turno de esta generación.
Juan Figueroa, An Ardent Defender of Civil Rights
For Latinos
New York — Throughout his long career as a community
organizer, assistant attorney general, state legislator and head
of nonprofit organization, Juan Figueroa has championed the cause
of civil rights for Latinos.
Juan Figueroa, Ferviente Defensor de los Derechos
de los Latinos
Nueva York - A través de su extensa carrera como
dirigente comunitario, asistente del fiscal, legislador estatal
y director de una organización no lucrativa, Juan Figueroa
ha encabezado el fundamento de los derechos civiles de los latinos.
Young Researchers Armed For Front Lines In War
On Cancer
Other Students Must Be Enlisted to Join Their Ranks, Help
Combat a National Killer
By Dr. Elena Rios
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A recent report shows the rates for new cancer
cases and deaths continued to decline in the U.S., but the fight
is far from over and more research is needed - research that will
touch the lives of millions of Americans, their families and friends.
Los
Jovenes Investigadores Están Armados Para la línea
de Fuego en la Guerra Contra el Cáncer
Deben Reclutarse Otros Estudiantes
Para Que Se Unan A Sus Tropas y Ayuden a Combatir Un Homicida
Nacional
Por Dra. Elena Ríos
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Un informe reciente muestra que las tasas
de casos nuevos y muertes debidos al cáncer continúan
disminuyendo en los Estados Unidos, pero el fin de la lucha aún
está lejano y es necesaria más investigación,
la cual afectará las vidas de millones de estadounidenses,
sus familias y amigos.
La Asociación Americana del Corazón
Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana
Insistimos en que los Hispanos aprendan los síntomas
de los paros cardiacos.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Es un domingo por la tarde,
su madre y usted se encuentran en la cocina preparando la cena,
cuando de pronto, ella sufre un colapso, cae al suelo y deja de
respirar. Usted corre a su lado. Su hermano corre hacia el teléfono
y llama al 9-1-1 para pedir ayuda. Como usted ya sabe las señales
de aviso, se da cuenta enseguida de que su madre tiene un paro
cardiaco y empieza a proporcionarle CPR (resucitación cardio-pulmonar).
La ayuda médica llega en pocos minutos. Como usted sabía
las señales de aviso y qué hacer y su hermano llamó
al 9-1-1 inmediatamente, la historia tuvo un final feliz. Su madre
sobre-vivió.
GCCCD governing board extends military leave benefits
for employees called to active duty
EL CAJON - In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks,
the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board
has voted to extend military leave benefits for employees called
into active duty.
DOL To Ensure Reserve, Guard Members Return To
Jobs; Civilians Called To Active Duty Entitled To
Return To Their Previous Employment
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today
that the Department of Labor will begin an education campaign
for employers as well as National Guard and Reserve units, to
ensure that civilians called up for active duty are re-employed
at their previous jobs after completion of their military service.
SDG&E Outlines Help For Customers Impacted
by State Rate Increase
In the wake of a state electricity rate increase, San
Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) joined with community partners
to raise awareness of bill assistance and energy-efficiency programs
available to all its customers.
CRLA Host Its Annual Tardeada Fund Raiser
California Rural Legal Assistance invites you to its Annual
San Diego Tardeada Fund Raiser. CRLA is a statewide, non-profit,
equal justice legal aid providing advocacy for poor, rural people
throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties and California. This
year we celebrate 35 years of legal services to California's rural
poor.
Maritime Career Expo/Job Fair 2001 to Feature
Unique Career Opportunities
Looking for a job? Want to work where you play? Come to
the free Maritime Career Expo/Job Fair 2001 from 10:00 a.m. -
3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 29 at the Silver Gate Yacht Club,
2091 Shelter Island Drive. Enjoy entertainment, refreshments,
and an old fashioned Bake Sale during the day, sponsored by Coordinated
Maritime Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to safety
information and education for the entire San Diego maritime community.
Papa John's Pizza Teams With Padres Slugger Trevor
Hoffman For "Who's Your Hero?" Youth Writing
Contest
Papa John's Pizza and San Diego Padre Trevor Hoffman are
teaming up to sponsor a youth writing contest titled "Who's
Your Hero?" The contest will be topped off with a $10,000
donation to a charity of Trevor Hoffman's choice. "Who's
Your Hero?" begins on September 17th and all
entries must be postmarked by Saturday, October 13th.
Editorial
Zealotry Confounds United States Leadership
Who could possibly believe that a few bearded, camel drivers
could so humble and panic our elected leadership? Fanatical zealots
have terrorized different cities, villages, or groups throughout
the world since time immemorial. Zealotry has been a hallmark
of civilization since early homosapiens crawled out of their caves
and noticed that there were others out there seeking their food
and space, and wanting to control their tribe.
Opinion
Terrorists to Us, "Freedom Fighters"
to Muslim World
by Dr. Art Salzberg
The vast undertaking of the bombings in present-day America
and the hijacking of four passenger airplanes, all within a matter
of hours, should not have been a surprise after the last incident
of this type, and from a similar source: the bombing of the U.S.S.
Cole and its toll of 268 lives. This is a time for reflection
for all Americans, from all walks of life. The attack on the Cole
was the real opening shot in this terror campaign, and we
should have known there would be more to follow.
The Public Forum ... El Foro Publico
Justice and Self-Defense
The case for large-scale, decisive U.S. military action in
response to the Sept. 11 massacres is two-fold: justice and self-defense.
Calendar
of Events...
by Berenice Cisneros
Adams Avenue Street Fair
The Adams Avenue Street Fair will celebrate its 20th
anniversary on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m. and Sunday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Adams
Avenue between Bancroft and 35th Street, in the heart of Normal
Heights. A two day celebration that will feature more than 80
bands performing on seven stages, enticing food, three beer gardens,
arts and craft vendors, carnival rides, children's activities
and much more. For further information, please call (858) 492-8096.
Battles of the Unbeatens in Week 3: Bengals-Chargers;
Dolphins-Rams; Broncos "O" Baces Ravens "D"
How `bout them Bengals?! And how about those Chargers?!
Sockers Return to Sports Arena for Weekend Matches
by John Philip Wyllie
When the league leading 5-1 San Diego Sockers return to the
Sports Arena this weekend for a pair of back to back matches,
they will be expecting offensive help from an unlikely source:
the usually defensive-minded Mauricio Alegre. Alegre is a native
of Mexico City and has resided in Tijuana for the last 17 years.
He is one of only three players on the current Sockers roster
that has ties to the team which operated at the Sports Arena from
1980 until 1996.
San Diego State Returns Home After First Victory
of the Year
Air Force (1-1, 0-0) at San Diego State (1-2, 1-0)
Sept. 29, 2001, 8:05 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium
Television: The Air Force at San Diego State game will be
televised live nationally by ESPN2.
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