When technology sales executive Bill Kousoulas pursued his doctorate in psychology in his 40’s, he became drawn to paranormal responses by people coming back from the trauma of a life-changing event.  This led Kousoulas and his wife to embark on a study of survivors and their families impacted by the 1967 Silver Bridge disaster in Point Pleasant. West Virginia.  A total of 46 people died when the bridge spanning the Ohio River collapsed after malfunctioning traffic signals caused backups that overloaded the weight limit on the bridge and a key bolt failed.  The prior year, two couples driving in the area of an abandoned World War II ammunitions plant reported seeing a black moth-like creature with red eyes.  Their sighting has since taken on paranormal meanings related to the bridge disaster.  About 100 “Mothman” sightings followed and even led to a 2002 movie starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney using the sightings and bridge collapse in the storyline.  It has also led to a “Mothman” festival in Point Pleasant.  The bridge disaster also led to President Lyndon Johnson signing the Bridge Inspection Safety Act for tighter inspection rules.

 

The Kousoulas’s interviewed eleven people with direct links to the bridge disaster and gathered background on the “Mothman” legend for what is called Phenomenology Research.  The spoke with one man who was 25 at the time and lost both parents in the disaster.  He said it altered his view of an appreciation of life.  Another interviewee avoided the disaster as a boy by play-hiding in a tree instead of going with his father to a store.  He says his perspective of life became one of “positive reflection.”

 

The Kousoulas’s research is documented in a book called “Bridging the Tragedy, Silver Linings in the Mysterious Ohio Valley.”  More information on the book and their research is available at their web site:  www.PRPConnect.org.

July 28, 1929 – Jacqueline (Jackie) Bouvier Kennedy is born in Southampton, New York.  Her popularity soared as first lady with her dedication to historic preservation of the White House.  The image of her standing in her blood-stained clothing from the assassination of President Kennedy became a symbol of mourning for the nation’s loss.

 

July 29, 1905 – Dag Hammarskjold, Swedish public servant, second Secretary General of the United Nations (1953-1961), and posthumous Nobel Peace Prize winner, is born in Jonkoping, Sweden.

 

July 30, 1863 – Automotive pioneer Henry Ford is born in Dearborn Township, Michigan.  His innovative improvements to assembly line production brought the affordable Model T car to the masses.

 

August 1, 1770 – Explorer William Clark of Lewis and Clark expedition fame is born in Ladysmith, Virginia.

July 28, 1868 – U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward announces the ratification of the 14^th amendment by the states, granting citizenship to ex-slaves.

 

July 30, 1975 – Former Teamsters Union leader James “Jimmy” Hoffa is last seen outside a restaurant in Detroit, Michigan.  He is declared officially dead in 1982.   

 

July 31, 1790 – The U. S. Patent Office opens and issues the first patent to Samuel Hopkins for a new method of making potash (fertilizer).  The patent is signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

 

August 2, 1923 – President Warren G. Harding dies suddenly in San Francisco while on a Western speaking tour.  The following day Calvin Coolidge is sworn into office.  Harding’s legacy is tainted by the Teapot Dome oil lease scandal that comes to light following his death.