November 10 in history — On This Day

1951

The First Direct Dial Long Distance Call Crosses the United States

On November 10, 1951, Englewood mayor Leslie Denning dialed a call from New Jersey to Alameda mayor Frank Osborne in California. An operator did not have to take Denning's request and arrange the connection.

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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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