September 25 in history — On This Day

NASA illustration of the Mars Observer spacecraft
1992

Mars Observer Launches Toward the Red Planet

On September 25, 1992, NASA launched Mars Observer from Cape Canaveral aboard a Titan III. The spacecraft was intended to study Mars from orbit, building a long record of surface conditions, atmosphere and other planetary properties.

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Chicago After the Fire: From Burned Blocks to a New Skyline

A photograph taken after the 1871 fire can make Chicago look as though its future had been decided by a wall of flame. A view from around 1905 tells a different story: tall offices, busy transport routes and commercial streets crowded again.

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